Damn Good Goliath Grouper Fishing Charters

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Goliath Grouper Fishing Charters

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Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Flats in Key West

Key West Light Tackle Fishing

100% (2) Guided by Kenaro
25 ft 1 - 5 People From $700
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Nokomis

Nokomis Offshore/Nearshore

100% (2) Managed by Josh
39 ft 1 - 6 People From $2,200
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Key West

Gulf - Shrimp Boats & Wrecks

96% (28) Guided by John
32 ft 1 - 6 People From $2,250
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Jensen Beach

Jensen Beach Offshore

100% (1) Guided by Charley
26 ft 1 - 6 People From $700
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Flats in Bradenton Beach

The Local Trip

96% (23) Managed by David
25 ft 1 - 12 People From $300
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Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Flats in Islamorada

Islamorada Backcountry Or Nearshore

100% (3) Guided by Bruce
24 ft 1 - 4 People From $800
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Everything to Know About Booking a goliath grouper fishing charter

What are the best goliath grouper fishing charters?

The best goliath grouper fishing charters are:

What is a Goliath Grouper?

The Atlantic Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara) is the largest member of the grouper family. They have a stocky build (to put it lightly) with small eyes and a large head. They are yellowish-brown to grey in coloring, with spots that help to camouflage them against coral and muddy bottoms.

They are tough, solitary fish who can live in both brackish water and low oxygen levels. Also known to be fearless, they will defend their territory with aggressive body language, and by using their swimming bladder to make a rumbling sound.

How big do Goliath Grouper get?

Goliath groupers aren’t called “goliath” for no reason. These big boys and girls can grow up to over eight feet in length and over 600 pounds, which can be reached in up to their 50 years of life. However, the average catch will be between 75 and 150 pounds.

What's the biggest Goliath Grouper ever caught?

The world record according to the IGFA is a 680 pound goliath grouper that was caught off Fernandia Beach, Florida. It was caught on May 20th, 1961 by Lynn Joyner off of conventional tackle, using Spanish mackerel as bait.

Where is the best place to catch Goliath Grouper?

Goliath Groupers can be found throughout the western and eastern Atlantic. They are distributed from Florida to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, as well as from Senegal to Congo, as far as the Canary Islands. They can also be found in the Eastern Pacific from the Gulf of California to Peru.

Young grouper live in canals, brackish estuaries, and mangrove swamps. As they become older, they move to shallow, tropical waters and can be found around coral, rocks, mud bottoms, and man-made structures, up to 150 feet deep.

When should I catch Goliath Grouper?

The great thing about goliath groupers is that they can be caught year-round. However, the peak season is from May to October during and right after their spawning season. The early morning and late afternoon is the time of day for the best bite.

How do you catch Goliath Grouper?

As mentioned, goliath groupers are known for their aggressiveness, strength, and ability to muscle their way through reefs and rocks to break lines. This means that strong gear is absolutely necessary, including line with a minimum 300 pound test, and 16-20/0 sized circle hooks crimped solidly to the leader, and a 50-80 wide reel.

Goliath groupers eat sea turtles and crustaceans, but some great bait to use include burrfish, catfish, toadfish, octopus, ladyfish, and jack crevalle. In whichever you use, natural bait works best, as lures tend not to tempt them. Also, with any of these, be sure to anchor close to the reef so that the fish will be lured out to take the bait, possibly bouncing it off the bottom, however far enough that you have a chance to pull them away before they break the line on any structure.

Are Goliath Grouper good to eat?

Goliath groupers were once known to be a very highly regarded quality seafood, making them an ideal target for fishermen. But they quickly became overfished which led to strict bans on keeping them in areas they’re found including the United States, the Caribbean, and Brazil, in order for them to be able to regrow their populations. Due to long lifespans and slow growth rates, it is expected to be a long road to recovery, and these fish should always be handled carefully and released to live another day.

Recent Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    We had a blast at the tour Captain Tim gave us. He was very friendly, funny and knowledgeable. My youngest son told me what he would want for his birthday was a tour by him again!

    Kenta Y. | May 3, 2026

    Trip: Red Hot! 🔥 Let's Go Fishing!

  • ★★★★★
    This trip was far beyond our expectations! Tyler was amazing and gave us so many opportunities to catch a variety of fish. I am so thankful I chose Tyler for this experience!

    Eric S. | May 3, 2026

    Trip: Offshore Fishing Jupiter

  • ★★★★★
    Anthony was great! He was wonderful with my 12 yo son. Would book him again in a heart beat! In fact, plan on booking him again next time we come.

    Deborah H. | April 26, 2026

    Trip: Family Friendly Kids Miami Day Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Excellent fishing trip! Tim was great at explaining things to us and provided a great experience. Would definitely recommend!

    Bill B. | April 16, 2026

    Trip: Red Hot! 🔥 Let's Go Fishing!

  • ★★★★★
    Tyler is probably the best guide my wife and I have ever had. He was very attentive. He knew where the fish were and he was right there with bait or to get us un snagged or to help us pull in the big one you can’t go wrong with Tyler I promise.

    Frank W. | April 16, 2026

    Trip: Ten Thousand Islands Inshore

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