How to catch Nassau grouper in Florida

Nassau grouper feed in 72–88°F water and bite best at 76–84°F.

80 pts · trophy at 30"Feeds 72–88°FBest 76–84°FIn season nowArtificial reefLedge / hard bottom

About

The barred grouper of the Keys reefs that was once everywhere and is now rare and protected everywhere it lives. Catch-and-release only, quickly, in the water — and a fish to be proud of seeing.

How to fish it

You don't target them. If one comes up on the patch reef, photograph it in the water and let it go.

What it eats

live pinfishshrimpsquid

Live bait for it

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.

Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.

What to fish it with

the sizes that fish it

Leader30–60 lb fluorocarbon

Hook2/0–7/0

Braid30–65 lb

The rule

not confirmed here

Harvest prohibited in all Florida waters — catch-and-release only; confirm at MyFWC.

The current rule at MyFWC →

Month by month, water by water

When nassau grouper is the story

The Florida Keys

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Miami & Biscayne Bay

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