UTERGag grouper fishing in Tampa Bay
In Tampa Bay, gag grouper peak November–March and are around year-round, spawning in February–March, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Winter gags move inshore onto the bay rocks and the shipping-channel ledges.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Gag grouper in Tampa Bay, month by month
- JanuaryPeakWinter gags move inshore onto the bay rocks and the shipping-channel ledges.
- FebruarySpawningSpawning offshore.
- MarchSpawning
- AprilAround
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberArriving
- NovemberPeakFish moving inshore as the water cools.
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish gag 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 spots in the Tampa Bay & Sarasota 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 Tampa Bay?
Peak season is November–March, with fish spawning in February–March (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Gag grouper are here year-round. January: Winter gags move inshore onto the bay rocks and the shipping-channel ledges.
Where do gag grouper hold in Tampa Bay?
Look on artificial reef, wreck — around Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice.
What is the best bait for gag grouper in Tampa Bay?
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 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/.
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