Captiva Fishing, Grouper!

Sanibel Island Fishing & Captiva Island Fishing: Grouper!

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Sanibel Island Fishing Charters, June 6, 2018;  Captiva Fishing & Sanibel Fishing Report.

Captiva Fishing Report,  Sanibel Island Fishing Charters, Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Wednesday, June 6: Grouper, Inshore Structure; Catch & Release; water quality still in relatively good shape but Caloosahatchee freshwater releases have begun; there is still no to very little red tide impact right now; a lot of Snook, Seatrout, Tarpon, Spanish mackerel & Grouper fishing currently – Redfish have been tougher and less prevalent; for more information just use the red search button at upper right and search on any species for recent fishing reports, background on any species, and other recent fishing, water quality reports and information.

Wednesday, June 6, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Sanibel Island Fishing Charters: Grouper, Catch & Release; please also visit the Sanibel, Fort Myers, Florida Fishing Report and Cuban Fishing sites.  Better water moving north of Sanibel up through Captiva & North Captiva.

Captiva Island Fishing Charters

For Captiva Island Fishing Charters, we’re located in Castaways Marina, Santiva, Sanibel Island, just before the Blind Pass bridge to Captiva Island.

Please click here to Book A Charter or call 239-472-8658 and here for Live Sanibel Traffic Cams.

“Mycteroperca microlepis (the gag, gag grouper, velvet rockfish or charcoal belly) is a species of grouper from warmer parts of the West Atlantic, including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. It is a drab, mottled-gray fish lacking the distinguishing features of most other groupers. Its pattern of markings resemble the box-shaped spots of the black grouper. It lacks the streamer-points on the tail fin that scamp (Mycteroperca phenax) and yellowmouth grouper (M. interstitialis) have, and lacks yellow coloration around the mouth.

Ten- to 20-pound (5- to 10-kg) fish are common. The world record is 80 lb 6 oz (36.45 kg). The gag grouper is a bottom feeder and is often caught by fishermen seeking bottom-dwelling species, such as snappers. Its flaky white meat is considered quite delicious.

Members of this species are known to be protogynous hermaphrodites, schooling in harems with the most aggressive and largest females shifting sex to male, probably as a result of behavioral triggers, when no male is available. Commercial and sport fishing have created tremendous selective pressures against the largest animals, typically male, restricting the reproductive capacity of the entire breeding population.

Recently, a small closure in the Gulf of Mexico was established to provide this and other species a refuge from commercial fishing pressure, however, these data are highly in dispute and are currently being challenged for inaccuracies. They are found in areas of a hard or consolidated substrate, and use structural features, such as ledges, rocks, and coral reefs (as well as artificial reefs, such as wrecks and sunken barges) as their habitats.”  Please see more information here.

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Image Credit: © Diane Rome Peebles

Gag Grouper: Mycteroperca microlepis

Appearance:

• Color brownish-gray with dark worm-like markings on sides
• Bottom of preopercle (cheek) has strong serrated spur
• Fins are dark, with white edges on anal fin and tail
• Dark lines radiate from the eyes

Similar Species: Black grouper, M. bonaci (spur on preopercle is gently rounded, not serrated)

Size: Up to 36 inches (50 pounds); common to 25 pounds

Habitat:

Coastal waters near structure such as rocky bottoms, reefs and drop-off walls in water over 60 feet deep. Juveniles found in estuaries and seagrass beds

Behavior:

Born as females but can later become male. Gag and red grouper are the most widely distributed of the Florida groupers. Goliath and Nassau grouper are protected from harvest in Florida waters. Spawn between January and May with some of the more tropical species spawning year-round. Feed on fishes and invertebrates.

Additional Information

State Record: 80 lb 6 oz, caught near Destin

Fishing Tips and Facts: Grouper fishing from a boat typically involves baits fished near the bottom, with heavy tackle and heavier to bring grouper to the surface. Live fish or dead cut or whole bait are used. Grouper are very tasty meals.

Recreational Regulations

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Image Credit: © Diane Rome Peebles

Black Grouper: Mycteroperca bonaci

Appearance:

• Color olive or gray with rectangular black blotches and brassy spots
• Bottom of preopercle (cheek) is gently-rounded
• Second dorsal, anal and caudal fins black on outer third part of fin
• Pale yellow or white margin on pectoral fins

Similar Species: Gag, M. microlepis (spur on preopercle is serrated); and yellowfin grouper, M. venenosa (pectoral fins trimmed in bright yellow)

Size: Up to 48 inches (180 pounds); common to 40 pounds

Habitat:

Coastal waters near structure. Juveniles can be found inshore. Adults are associated with rocky bottoms, reef, and drop off walls in water over 60 feet deep.

Behavior:

Spawn between May and August.

They are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning that young predominantly female who transform into males as they grow larger.

Larger individuals of this species are generally found in greater depths and they feed on fish and squid.

Additional Information

State Record: 113 lb 6 oz, caught near the Dry Tortugas

Recreational Regulations

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Image Credit: © Diane Rome Peebles

Red Grouper: Epinephelus morio

Appearance:

• Body color is brownish-red
• Tiny black dots found on snout
• Mouth lined in scarlet-orange color
• Sides have irregular white blotches
• Second spine of dorsal fin is long
• Pectoral fins are longer than pelvic fins
• No large black spot on caudal peduncle

Similar Species: Nassau grouper, E. striatus (large black spot on caudal peduncle)

Size: Up to 42 inches (50 pounds); common to 20 inches (15 pounds)

Habitat:

Bottom-dwelling fish found over hard and muddy bottoms. Juveniles found offshore along with adults greater than 6 years old. Fish from 1 to 6 years occupy nearshore reefs.

Behavior:

Spawn in April and May. Prefer water temperatures between 66 and 77 degrees F. Like many other grouper, red grouper undergo a sex reversal, young individual females becoming males as they age.

Lifespan of at least 25 years.  Feed on a variety of fishes and invertebrates.

Additional Information

State Record: 42 lb 4 oz, caught near St. Augustine Inlet

Similar Fish: Nassau grouper, E. striatus.

Recreational Regulations

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Please click here to Book A Charter or call 239-472-8658 and here for Live Sanibel Traffic Cams.  Wednesday, June 6, Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Grouper, Near Offshore, click here for College Of Fishing Hats & Apparel.

We’re located in Castaways Marina, Santiva, Sanibel Island, just before the Blind Pass bridge to Captiva Island.

After a fierce storm, Turner Beach, the beach adjoining the Pass, is frequently covered with a bounty of shells from Olives to Fighting Whelks to the more common Conchs. The fishing is also renowned for sharks in the summer, tailing redfish on the bayside flats and snook under and off the Blind Pass bridge. Because Turner Beach faces Westward, the sunsets are spectacular and a popular viewing point for residents and visitors alike.

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Fair winds and following seas,

Captain Joey Burnsed ~ please click calendar at the upper left or call 239-472-8658 to book a Sanibel & Captiva Islands, Boca Grande or Fort Myers fishing guide trip or shelling charter.