UTERGoliath grouper fishing in The Treasure Coast
In The Treasure Coast, 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: Spawning aggregations — 40 to 60 fish on one wreck around the August full moon: the Zion Train/Esso Bonaire, MG-111 and Hole-in-the-Wall off Jupiter, the Mizpah off Palm Beach. Some come from 350 miles away. Protected — check MyFWC, and leave them in the water.
Dispersing.
Goliath grouper in The Treasure Coast, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchAround
- AprilAround
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyArrivingMales arriving on the Jupiter wrecks.
- AugustSpawningSpawning aggregations — 40 to 60 fish on one wreck around the August full moon: the Zion Train/Esso Bonaire, MG-111 and Hole-in-the-Wall off Jupiter, the Mizpah off Palm Beach. Some come from 350 miles away. Protected — check MyFWC, and leave them in the water.
- SeptemberSpawningStill spawning around the September moon; the Castor off Boynton often holds the late fish.
- OctoberLeavingDispersing.
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish goliath grouper near Boca Raton, Jupiter, Stuart
The inlets and the Intracoastal behind them, the southern Indian River Lagoon's grass flats and spoil islands, the St. Lucie and Loxahatchee rivers, the beaches, and a reef line that comes within a mile of the sand from Jupiter south.
Fish Scouter charts 442 artificial reef, 264 wreck, 189 ledge / hard bottom, 22 bridge, 7 pass / inlet spots in the Palm Beach & the Treasure Coast 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 The Treasure Coast?
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: Spawning aggregations — 40 to 60 fish on one wreck around the August full moon: the Zion Train/Esso Bonaire, MG-111 and Hole-in-the-Wall off Jupiter, the Mizpah off Palm Beach. Some come from 350 miles away. Protected — check MyFWC, and leave them in the water.
Where do goliath grouper hold in The Treasure Coast?
Look on wreck, bridge, artificial reef, pass / inlet — around Boca Raton, Jupiter, Stuart, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, Sebastian.
What is the best bait for goliath grouper in The Treasure Coast?
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 The Treasure Coast?
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/.
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