The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Red Grouper Epinephelus morio
Red Grouper Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 18–28 in, 4–12 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to about 50 in and 50 lb |
| Lifespan | Up to about 29 years |
| Range | Western Atlantic from the Carolinas south through the Florida Keys and across the Gulf of Mexico, most abundant on the west Florida shelf. |
| Habitat | Limestone ledges, caves, wrecks and low-relief live bottom, from shallow nearshore reefs out to several hundred feet as they age; adults excavate their own pits in the sediment. |
| Diet | Crabs, shrimp, mantis shrimp, octopus and small reef fish inhaled whole off the bottom. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Red Grouper
- Brownish-red body with pale blotches/mottling
- Scattered small black dots around the eyes
- Second-dorsal margin straight and even (no deep notch between spines)
- Squared-off (truncate) tail; large fan-like pectorals
- Large bucket mouth; white-edged anal and tail fins
Tell it apart: Red grouper has an even, non-notched soft dorsal and a squared tail with black freckles around the eyes; its big-mouthed grouper body and lack of prominent canine teeth separate it from the deeper-bodied, canine-toothed, forked-tail mutton snapper.
Easily confused with: Mutton Snapper
Side by side: Red Grouper vs Mutton Snapper
How to Catch Red Grouper
Gear links open Amazon searches. As an Amazon Associate, The Fishing Report earns from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. Using these links helps keep the site ad-free.
- Best in spring and fall; drop cut bait or large jigs to hard bottom and ledges, locking up quickly to turn fish from rocks.Gear7/0 circle hooksGrouper bottom rigsHeavy bottom-fishing combo
When & Where Red Grouper Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Florida & the Keys Offshore |
Red Grouper Regulations
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.