The featured Gulf of Mexico catch and cook species for January 2025 is the Red Grouper!
Red Grouper are exciting to catch and delicious to eat! January serves as the perfect time to target Red Grouper with cold water bringing the fish into shallower water and an open fishing season.
Read on to learn how to catch the Red Grouper and make a delicious and healthy meal!
Fun Facts
- The largest Red Grouper caught was 51 pounds and 49 inches in length.
- The oldest Red grouper caught in the Gulf of Mexico was 29 years old.
- Red Grouper start life as females and can transform into males around the ages of 7-15.
Species Profile
The Red Grouper (Epinephelus morio) is a widespread species that ranges from the Gulf of Mexico through the western Atlantic Ocean, from Brazil to North Carolina. They typically live in coastal regions along wide continental shelves.
Appearance
Red grouper are a dark red-brown color along the head and upper body and fade to a lighter pink towards the belly. Light pink to white spots or marbling are common across the body. They have sharp teeth and large mouths used to suck up prey whole.
Biology
Red grouper can grow up to 50 pounds and reach a length of 4 feet (48 inches), although the average size is around 20 inches and 15 pounds. They grow relatively slowly and can take many years to reach the minimum size for harvest.
In nature, Red Grouper are near the top of the reef food chain. They feed on fish, crustaceans (shrimp, crabs, lobsters), and octopus, although they are opportunistic predators and will eat any prey that swims by! They typically ambush their prey and swallow them whole.
They are considered to be “marine engineers”, as they dig out structures along the sea floor creating new habitats for themselves and other marine species.
Life cycle
Red grouper spawn frequently in shallow waters, from January to June, with peak spawning in May. They reach sexual maturity and begin spawning around 4-6 years of age. It is common for them to start their lives as females and transition into males between the ages of 7-15. The typical maximum age of a Red Grouper is 25 years old.
Around 40 days after spawning occurs, the larval grouper settles down in shallow coastal habitats, including seagrass beds and shallow reefs. They stay in shallow inshore waters as juveniles for 4-5 years. Around the age of 5, Red Grouper move offshore to hard-bottom areas. They prefer to live on reefs, ledges, and limestone rock caves, although they can be found on wreck structures. Adults can form schools for spawning but typically live solitary lives.
Catch
To maintain a healthy fishery, it is important to use sustainable fishing practices when catching and releasing fish. A Florida fishing license is required to land all saltwater species in Florida regardless of where they are caught (state or federal waters). Florida fishing licenses require a fee, however, fishing licenses from a shoreline are free. Both types require you to register for the license on the FWC website which can be found here: https://license.gooutdoorsflorida.com/
Habitat
- Common in 10 – 300 ft water depth (although they can be found as deep as 1,000 ft)
- Prefer a hard bottom with structure. i.e. reefs, ledges, rocks, crevices, and artificial wrecks
- Live along the ocean floor
- Red Grouper favors deeper waters when the water is warm and moves into shallower waters as temperatures cool down.
Season and Regulations
- Red Grouper Season in the Gulf of Mexico is open between January 1st – June 30th, 2025. However, the season can be closed early once the annual catch target has been reached by recreational and commercial fishers.
- You are allowed to keep 2 Red Grouper per person, with a 4 grouper aggregate limit. The Grouper aggregate limit means that no more than 4 total groupers of any combination of species can be harvested per person.
- The minimum size limit is 20 inches in total length. Red grouper must be 20 inches or greater to keep.
Fishing regulations can change frequently, always check current FWC regulations before fishing. Regulations can be found here: myFWC
While you always hope to catch “The Big One” small fish are often caught during a fishing trip. If your catch is smaller than the regulations allow make sure you return them right. Fish should be returned to the water as quickly as possible and resuscitated. Learn more about the Return ‘em Right program here.
If in deep water (>50 ft) a descending device should be used to help the fish make it home. Using best release practices will help the future of your local fishery!
Descending devices are required when fishing for reef fish. You can get a free descending device sent to you by following this link: https://returnemright.org/
Bait
Red Grouper love live bait, as they are the most natural prey choice. A small pinfish or grunt will usually be eaten quickly. However frozen or artificial bait can also be used with great success. Below are some great bait choices for targeting Red Grouper:
- Pinfish
- Grunt
- Squid
- Octopus
- Shrimp
- Crab
- Artificial Jig-Head tipped with squid
Tips and Tackle
When fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico it is required to use non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks when using natural bait. A dehooking tool and descending device are also required for fishing in federal waters.
Red Grouper are strong and powerful fish. Having stiff rods and heavy conventional fishing reels will help to bring the fish quickly to the surface. Grouper are smart and very fast, after being hooked they will try to rush back into the rocks or structure to hide. It is important to quickly reel the grouper up as soon as it hits your line to prevent it from breaking your line off in the rocks!
For best fishing practices and to learn more fishing tips, tricks, and regulations check out the free Florida Friendly Angler course: Florida Friendly Angler Certification Program
If you want to go fishing but don’t have a boat of your own, fishing charters are a great option! You can find a list of certified Florida Friendly Fishing Guides here: FFA Guides
Clean
Learn how to fillet your Red Grouper Catch with Florida Sea Grant Agent Michael Sipos!
Cook
In the Gulf of Mexico, Red grouper is a smart seafood choice as the fishing stock is not overfished due to regulated and sustainable harvest. Whether you catch the fish yourself or buy it from a local fish market, you are supporting a sustainable fishery.
Like most seafood, grouper has several nutritional benefits, including being low in saturated fat and calories while high in protein, having omega-3 fatty acids for heart and brain health, and containing levels of Vitamins D and B12, potassium and selenium, making it a nutrient-dense food. However, they do have high levels of cholesterol (around 10 percent of the daily value in a 3-ounce portion). However, the omega-3 fatty acids make it heart healthy, so if you are watching your cholesterol, simply watch your weekly intake and portion sizes. Red grouper can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as fried, grilled, sauteed, steamed, and more! Of course, healthier cooking methods will ensure you are getting the most health benefits. Below is a healthy recipe from Mayo Clinic for cooking up your fresh catch:
Broiled Grouper with Teriyaki Sauce
Serving size: 1 fillet
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium teriyaki sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 grouper fillets, each 4 ounces
- 2 lemon wedges
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the teriyaki sauce and garlic.
- Lightly spray a baking pan with cooking spray. Place the grouper fillets in the pan. Brush the teriyaki marinade on both sides of the fillets. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to marinate the fish.
- Heat the broiler or grill. Position the rack 4 inches from the heat source.
- Broil or grill until the fish is not transparent, also called opaque, throughout when tested with a tip of a knife, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the broiler or grill.
- Squeeze 1 lemon wedge over each fillet. Then sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
- Serve right away and enjoy!
Next month sneak peek!
Our featured Gulf Catch for February is the Hogfish!
Did you know Hogfish are named so due to their snout-like nose and behavior rooting through the sediments?
Do you have a favorite Hogfish recipe or a photo of you with your Hogfish catch? Share it with us for a chance to be featured as a photo or recipe of the month! Submit here
More information on the Stock assessment for the Gulf of Mexico can be found here:NOAA Stock Assessment
Have a question? Ask the Authors!
For questions related to healthy eating a nutritional benefits of seafoods contact the
For more detailed information, contact your local University of Florida Extension Office.
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