UTERGag grouper fishing in Indian River Lagoon
In Indian River Lagoon, gag grouper peak February–March and September–November and are around year-round, spawning in February–March, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. February: Atlantic spawning on the shelf-edge reefs. Atlantic season — check MyFWC.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Gag grouper in Indian River Lagoon, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruarySpawningAtlantic spawning on the shelf-edge reefs. Atlantic season — check MyFWC.
- MarchSpawning
- AprilAround
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberAround
Where to fish gag grouper near Melbourne, Cocoa, Titusville
Mosquito Lagoon, the Banana River and the northern Indian River Lagoon — shallow, clear, grass-and-sand flats famous for sight-fishing tailing redfish and giant trout — plus Port Canaveral and Ponce Inlet, the beaches, and the nearshore reefs.
Fish Scouter charts 118 wreck, 85 artificial reef, 17 ledge / hard bottom spots in the The Space Coast Lagoons map area — the kinds gag grouper hold on.
What to use for gag grouper
- PinfishHooked through the back ahead of the dorsal on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook; the small ones free-lined, the big ones on a fish-finder rig.
- PigfishFree-lined or under a cork on a 2/0 circle hook for gator trout; on the bottom for grouper.
- Cigar minnowsNose-hooked on a stinger rig for kings, or a 4/0 circle hook dropped to the bottom for grouper.
- SquidStrips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig.
- Leader50–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook5/0–8/0
- Braid50–80 lb
Feeds in 58–84°F water, best at 64–78°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch gag grouper in Indian River Lagoon?
Peak season is February–March and September–November, with fish spawning in February–March (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Gag grouper are here year-round. February: Atlantic spawning on the shelf-edge reefs. Atlantic season — check MyFWC.
Where do gag grouper hold in Indian River Lagoon?
Look on artificial reef, wreck — around Melbourne, Cocoa, Titusville, Port Canaveral, New Smyrna Beach.
What is the best bait for gag grouper in Indian River Lagoon?
Live bait: pinfish, pigfish, cigar minnows, squid. Pinfish: Hooked through the back ahead of the dorsal on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook; the small ones free-lined, the big ones on a fish-finder rig. Tackle: leader 50–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 5/0–8/0, braid 50–80 lb.
What are the rules for gag grouper in Indian River Lagoon?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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