Catching Grouper
In Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
For those who want to catch a coveted reef fish other than red snapper, the gag grouper, a heavy-bodied, bottom-dwelling fish, season opens September 1 in the Gulf.
While you can find this species while targeting snapper, they hug deeper offshore reef structures and natural ledges of the shore and require more time and commitment to catch. However, grouper is one of the tastiest Gulf fish and is well worth the effort.
Gag Grouper Season at a Glance:
- Gag Grouper Season: September 1-30, 2026
- Size Limits: 24-inch total length, minimum size
- Bag Limit: Two per person, four per vessel
Fishing for Gag Grouper
Where to Catch Grouper on Alabama’s Beaches
Knowing where to catch grouper off Alabama’s Coast requires planning for a longer offshore boat ride. 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.
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.
Gag Grouper Season, Size Limits & Regulations
The 2026 gag grouper season in Alabama is open September 1-30. The daily recreational angler limit for gags is two per person and four per vessel, with a minimum total length of 24 inches. The bag limit for the captain and crew on vessels operating as charter or headboats is zero.
If you catch a gag outside of the season, be sure to release it using the proper techniques.
What Are the Best Baits for Gag Grouper?
Gags can sometimes be picky eaters, so it's best to take a variety of baits on the trip, including live bait like cigar minnows, hardtails (blue runners), and menhaden (pogies). If the grouper are in a biting mood, dead bait can also work.
Anglers are required to use circle hooks when using natural bait. When you're using a circle hook, don't set the hook like you would when bass fishing. Anglers must have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready to use when fishing for reef fish species in Gulf federal waters. For more information, see the NOAA Descend Act.
Tip: When catching gag grouper, keep the rod tip low and reel and reel until you're sure that the circle hook has lodged securely in the corner of the fish's mouth.
What's the Difference Between Gag & Black Grouper?
Sometimes, anglers have trouble distinguishing between gag and black groupers.
What does a gag grouper look like?
- Gray to light brown with darker wavy markings that create a marbled look
- Boomerang-shaped front bone of the gill plate
What does a black grouper look like?
- Darker blotches across the body
- An evenly rounded cheekbone margin
Plan Your Grouper Fishing Trip on Alabama’s Beaches
If you book one of the many charter boats in the area and schedule a trip for September, you can ask the captain to take you to spots where you can catch and keep both Alabama's iconic red snapper and gag grouper on the same trip. So don't hesitate to plan to visit Alabama's beautiful Gulf Coast and head out to catch some of the best-tasting fish in the Gulf
David Rainer
David Rainer has written about the great outdoors on the Alabama Gulf Coast for more than 20 years. For 14 of those years, he covered the many fishing opportunities on the Gulf Coast as outdoors editor at the Mobile Press-Register. He is past president of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association and currently serves on the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council's Outreach and Education Advisory Panel and the Alabama Gulf Coast Reef & Restoration Foundation board.
