UTERGoliath grouper fishing in Tampa Bay
In Tampa Bay, goliath grouper peak August–September and are around year-round, spawning in August–September, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. August: Big fish on the Skyway and the nearshore wrecks.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Goliath grouper in Tampa Bay, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchAround
- AprilAround
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyArriving
- AugustSpawningBig fish on the Skyway and the nearshore wrecks.
- SeptemberSpawning
- OctoberAround
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish goliath grouper near Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa
Florida's biggest open-water estuary, ringed with grass flats, mangrove islands, oyster bars and the Skyway's endless pilings, then the barrier-island passes — Johns, Pass-a-Grille, Longboat, New Pass, Big Sarasota, Venice — and a dense field of artificial reefs a few miles off the beach.
Fish Scouter charts 943 ledge / hard bottom, 521 artificial reef, 191 wreck, 46 pass / inlet, 9 bridge spots in the Tampa Bay & Sarasota map area — the kinds goliath grouper hold on.
What to use for goliath grouper
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- 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.
- Leader30–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook2/0–7/0
- Braid30–65 lb
Feeds in 68–90°F water, best at 74–86°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch goliath grouper in Tampa Bay?
Peak season is August–September, with fish spawning in August–September (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Goliath grouper are here year-round. August: Big fish on the Skyway and the nearshore wrecks.
Where do goliath grouper hold in Tampa Bay?
Look on wreck, bridge, artificial reef, pass / inlet — around Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice.
What is the best bait for goliath grouper in Tampa Bay?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), pinfish. Blue runners (hardtails): Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 30–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 2/0–7/0, braid 30–65 lb.
What are the rules for goliath grouper in Tampa Bay?
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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