Gag grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis) have been under close watch and monitoring by the NOAA fisheries services. In 1990, the minimum length for Gag grouper was 20”, and the total bag limit per person was 5 fish. According to the National Marine Fisheries, the first Gag Grouper stock assessment was in 1994, and this concluded that there was a better population than anticipated. In 1998, The Reef Fish Stock Assessment Panel assessed the 1997 Gag stock population, and did not consider Gags to be over fished, but this is when the council considered temporary closures, to protect the spawning of Grouper. In June 2000, the recreational size limit was increased to 22”, and the commercial sale of Gag Grouper, Black Grouper, and Red grouper was prohibited each year from Feb. 15th, to March 15th, which is the peak of Grouper spawning season. The current bag limit for Gag Grouper is 2 fish per person, with an aggregate total of 4 Grouper per person, if you run into keeper Red Grouper. Example: 2 Gags, 2 Reds per person, or 4 Reds per person, or 3 Reds and one Gag per person. No more than 2 Gags per person. We have witnessed no depletion of the population, and the Captain says Gag fishing is better than ever.
With that said, Gag Grouper is on the menu! Until October 31st that is. My job as a First mate on a local offshore fishing boat, The Reef Chief, has given me a first class look into the species and the art of Gag grouper fishing. This is one of the most sought after fish by anglers, and also some of the most expensive and delicious meat dwelling on the rock ledges throughout the Gulf of Mexico.
Over here in North West Central Florida, lies “The Little City by the river”, Port Richey. Locals call it the Cottee river. Every day in July we departed from the river and have been booked on trips to pull Grouper from the hard bottom in many different depths of water. The length of the charter dictates how far the boat can run out for the trip. From 30-60ft and everything in between, we’ve had many banner days where the Gags will chew as if it was a bumpy winter day, but in the middle of summer! Even some stud Red Grouper have made appearances in as little as 35ft of water with some of these fish weighing over 10 pounds!
At the Helm aboard The Reef Chief, is a lifetime Florida native, and a 20+ year charter guide, Captain Mike Teegarden. He’s taught me that the most crucial part of catching Gags is being able to position the stern of your vessel right on top of your favorite break or ledge. You cant go over the break, however, and depending on the tide you even have to consider which way the lines going to run off the stern so the baits will drop right in front of the fish. Reds will venture further from the exact spot/break, but the gags hang pretty close to where they feel safe, which is near the razor sharp rocks.
The very successful rod/reel combinations that we provide are Penn Senator 4/0 reels and custom built broom sticks if you will, to haul the fish away from the coral which is right where they head to after they feel tension. Pulling up on the rod does no good, A.) Because we use circle hooks, and B.) The fish will take all the stretch from the line and be under a piece of bottom in an instant. The most imperative part is to use the reel as a wench and “JUST REEL LIKE HELL!” Once he is 5-10ft off the bottom you own the fish and can enjoy the pull from our common 10+ pound fish. 80# Suffix line is spooled on all of our reels, with a very effective knocker rig. One primary key with the knocker rig is giving extra slack when you hit the bottom, to allow the bait to float away from the sinker.
Our main focus is the Grouper, but many other species appear behind the boat in our natural chum slick from all of our sardines getting knocked off. Cobia are a frequent visitor off the stern, curious as to where all this free food is coming from. Every Cobia we have had behind the boat eats a flat lined sardine and what a bonus fish for the customers. We also have a great population of huge Key West Snapper, AKA the Grunts, which is also an excellent white meat fish. Catching a few Grunt always fires up the Grouper bite as they live together, no Grunt = no Grouper. Several sharks also have come right off the stern, including a Hammerhead every bit of 9ft and 450 pounds, what a sight!
The fish are chewing hard, 80% of the time we are meeting our boat limit. So get out and get catching! The speculation for the rest of the season seems very optimistic.
To book a trip with Capt. Mike Teegarden aboard The Reef Chief, visit www.thereefchiefcharters.com or www.facebook.com/ReefChiefCharters.
