Where to fish for black grouper
98 charters name black grouper on their own website, across 46 towns in 1 state.
State records for black grouper
The heaviest black grouper each state has certified, biggest first.
| State | Weight | Where | Year | Angler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 124 lb | Gulf of Mexico | 2003 | Tim Oestreich IIsource |
| Florida | 113.38 lb | Dry Tortugas | 1990 | Donald W. Bonesource |
| Alabama | 106.2 lb | — | 2012 | David Mark Possiensource |
| Louisiana | 54.38 lb | Garden Banks | 2015 | Michael Hebertsource |
| Mississippi | 11.01 lb | — | 2000 | Michael L. Allensource |
Each from that state's own records page, linked on every row. A location links to its town only where the agency named that town — a record logged to "Gulf of Mexico" or an offshore block belongs to no city. Weights are printed as the agency prints them. Records are certified by the state and can be broken at any time.
About the fish
FWC says black grouper spawn during the winter months.
From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.
Which rules apply to your trip
- Gulf or Atlantic is the first question, and Monroe County is the trap: all state waters off Monroe County follow the ATLANTIC rules, on both the Atlantic and the Gulf side.
- In the Atlantic, black grouper shares a limit of 1 per person with gag, inside the 3-fish grouper and tilefish limit.
- In the Gulf, federal waters beyond the 20-fathom break close to black grouper February 1 to March 31. State waters stay open.
- In Gulf state waters the charter captain and crew limit for black grouper is 0, and in the Atlantic for-hire captain and crew may not keep black grouper.
Harvest rules
When can you keep one in Florida?
Gulf: black
Gulf state and federal waters, not including any state waters of Monroe County.
- State watersOpen year roundFWC.
- Federal waters seaward of 20 fathomsHarvest closed February 1 to March 31Applies to red, black, scamp, yellowfin and yellowmouth.
Atlantic: black
Atlantic state and federal waters, including Monroe County state waters.
- All anglersOpen May 1 to December 31FWC. Also closed January 1 to April 30 along with several other Atlantic grouper.
Gear rules
Reef fish gear rules apply and grouper must be landed with head and fins intact. In Gulf state waters that means non-stainless, non-offset circle hooks with natural bait, a dehooking device, and a descending device or venting tool rigged and ready. In the Atlantic the circle hook rule splits at 28 degrees north.
Questions about black grouper
How big does a black grouper have to be?
24 inches total length, on both coasts.
How many black grouper can I keep?
In the Gulf, up to 4 per person inside the 4-grouper daily limit. In the Atlantic, 1 gag or black per person.
When is black grouper closed?
In the Atlantic and all Monroe County state waters, January 1 to April 30. In the Gulf, state waters are open year round; federal waters seaward of 20 fathoms close February 1 to March 31, and the federal area FWC calls "the Edges" is closed January 1 to April 30.
Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, grouper regulations and FWC, reef fish gear rules and NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Gulf gag season and NOAA Fisheries, 2026 South Atlantic gag season and FWC, black grouper profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.