Shorter gag grouper season provides small window for hookups

Anna Maria Island anglers are flocking to their favorite grouper spots in state waters to cash in on the short gag grouper season. Gag grouper season opened September 1 and ends at 12:01 on September 16. 

An executive order issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was created prevent overfishing following the quota average that occurred in 2023. Now we are seeing a small window of opportunity to catch the popular inshore groupers. 

If you can recollect from the last year’s grouper season every Tom, Dick, and Harry was posting on Facebook and Instagram every time they caught grouper.

So, there you have it. 

The cats out of the bag.

And don’t get me wrong. 

We all want to preserve our fishery for future generations, but a two-week season seems a bit extreme. I guess with the population boom as well as there being an overabundance of charter boats and recreational anglers on the water, this may be the “new normal.” 

So, if you plan on going out to target gags, you better get out there early as there are only so many spots to find them. Once you’re at your spot plan on fending off other boats as you can bet you’re not the only one that has that number. 

Remember a keeper size grouper is 24-inches in total length with a limit of two fish per person per day. 

Another reminder if you’re fishing from a recreational vessel, you are required to sign up for a state reef fish angler designation which makes you eligible to be selected to receive a mail survey component of the state ref fishery. Data from the survey is used to better manage the Gulf gag grouper fishery and aid and providing optimum recreational fishing opportunities in Florida. For more info on this visit my fc.com/srfs.

If you’re only able to fish on the weekends, recreational American Red snapper is now open from Labor day weekend to November 30.