Gag Grouper

Gag Grouper Fishing in Florida

Gag seasons differ between the Gulf and the Atlantic. In the Gulf, a charter boat with a federal Gulf reef fish charter/headboat permit may not possess gag in state waters while the federal season is closed.

Florida rules from FWC and NOAA Fisheries, checked Sep 2026

Check before you keep a fish. Seasons and limits change, sometimes in the middle of a season, and a court or an agency can change them overnight. Everything here was copied from FWC and NOAA Fisheries in Sep 2026 and is listed with its source at the bottom of this page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the current rule with your captain or with FWC before you keep a fish.

Florida state record

  • 80.38 lb Destin · October 14, 1993 · Bill Smith

From FWC Florida Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle), checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.

About the fish

SizeUp to 36 inches and 50 pounds; common to 25 pounds
Where it livesNear rocky bottoms, reefs and drop-off walls in water over 60 feet deep. Juveniles in estuaries and seagrass beds
What it eatsFishes and invertebrates

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.
  • A charter holding a federal Gulf reef fish permit follows the federal gag season even inside state waters.
  • On a charter, the captain and crew may not keep gag, in the Gulf or the Atlantic.
  • In 2026 gag is open in the Gulf only September 1 to 30, and FWC closed Atlantic gag harvest starting August 2.

Gulf: gag: when you can keep one

Gulf state and federal waters, not including any state waters of Monroe County.

  • All anglersOpen September 1 to 30, 2026FWC set Gulf state waters to match the federal season. Harvest closes October 1 for the rest of the year.
  • Charter with a federal Gulf reef fish permitHarvest closed outside that window, in state waters tooNOAA: the possession ban also applies in Gulf state waters for a federally permitted for-hire vessel.
24 inches total lengthSize limit
2 per personDaily limit. Counts inside the Gulf limit of 4 grouper per person per day. Charter captain and crew: 0 fish.

Atlantic: gag: when you can keep one

Atlantic state and federal waters, including all state waters off Monroe County.

  • All anglersOpen May 1 to August 1, 2026. Harvest closed now.FWC closed Atlantic state-water gag harvest starting August 2. NOAA says federal Atlantic waters reopen May 1, 2027, unless otherwise specified.
24 inches total lengthSize limit
1 gag or black per personDaily limit. Counts inside the Atlantic limit of 3 grouper or tilefish per person per day, with a cap of 2 gag per vessel per day. For-hire captain and crew may not keep one.

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 gag grouper

Can I keep a gag grouper right now?

In the Gulf, yes: the 2026 season runs September 1 to 30 and closes October 1 for the rest of the year. In the Atlantic, no: that season closed on August 2.

How big does a gag have to be?

24 inches total length, on both coasts.

How many gag can I keep?

In the Gulf, 2 per person inside the 4-grouper daily limit. In the Atlantic, 1 gag or black per person inside the 3-fish limit, with no more than 2 gag per boat per day.

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, gag grouper profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.