UTERGoliath grouper fishing in The Florida Panhandle
In The Florida Panhandle, goliath grouper are around May–October but never at the peak of their run, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. July: Increasingly common on the nearshore wrecks in summer.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Goliath grouper in The Florida Panhandle, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAroundIncreasingly common on the nearshore wrecks in summer.
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish goliath grouper near Pensacola, Destin, Panama City
Deep bays behind long barrier islands — Pensacola, Choctawhatchee, St. Andrew, St. Joseph, Apalachicola — with grass flats on the bay side, bayous and creek mouths, and the passes cut through to the Gulf. Emerald water on the beach side; the surf is a real fishery here.
Fish Scouter charts 1,669 artificial reef, 723 ledge / hard bottom, 460 wreck, 25 bridge, 12 pass / inlet spots in the The Panhandle 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 Florida Panhandle?
Goliath grouper are in The Florida Panhandle May–October, but the calendar never marks a peak here. July: Increasingly common on the nearshore wrecks in summer.
Where do goliath grouper hold in The Florida Panhandle?
Look on wreck, bridge, artificial reef, pass / inlet — around Pensacola, Destin, Panama City, Apalachicola.
What is the best bait for goliath grouper in The Florida Panhandle?
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 Florida Panhandle?
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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All about goliath grouper · The Panhandle, the whole year