Catching Grouper

Although you can find gags on spots with other reef species, this member of the vast grouper family usually prefers natural bottoms where rocks or ledges protrude from the bottom, which probably means a little longer boat ride. They also hang out on relatively large wreck sites in up to 500 feet of water, but you'd better have your heavier gear rigged up because they will run to the structure and cut you off if you can't stop that initial run. Many grouper anglers will use at least 80-pound-test braided line with a heavy fluorocarbon leader because monofilament line will stretch too much before you can control the fish. 

The recreational angler limit on gags is two per person, four per vessel, with a 24-inch total length minimum size. The bag limit for captain and crew on vessels operating as a charter or headboat is zero.

Sometimes anglers have trouble distinguishing between gag and black groupers. The gag are gray to light brown with darker wavy markings that create a marbled look on the sides of the body.  The key difference between the two is a bone in the cheek region. The front bone of the gill plate, which is shaped like a boomerang, can be the key. It is angular with a serrated spur on a gag, while on a black grouper, it is evenly rounded.