{"id":11721,"date":"2017-05-07T13:27:26","date_gmt":"2017-05-07T18:27:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/?p=11721"},"modified":"2025-06-07T18:36:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-07T23:36:12","slug":"captiva-fishing-gag-grouper-may-7-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/?p=11721","title":{"rendered":"Captiva Fishing, Gag Grouper, May 7, 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"File<\/a>
File Photo: Gag Grouper, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service, May 7, 2017.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Gag Grouper.<\/h2>\n
\"Sanibel<\/a>
Sanibel & Captiva Rentals<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sanibel Fishing & Captiva\u00a0Fishing, Captiva Island, Sunday, May 7: Gag Grouper, caught year round on structure;<\/strong>\u00a0latest\u00a0Red Tide Report<\/a><\/strong>;\u00a0<\/strong>better water north of Sanibel up through Captiva & North Captiva.\u00a0 Please click here to\u00a0Book A Charter<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or call\u00a0239-472-8658.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019re located at Castaways Marina, Santiva, Sanibel Island, just before the Blind Pass bridge to Captiva Island.<\/p>\n

For more photos and\/or fishing reports from our other Captains\u2019 boats from other marinas,\u00a0please also visit our\u00a0Sanibel<\/a>,\u00a0Fort Myers<\/a>,\u00a0Seashell & Shelling<\/a>,\u00a0Florida Fishing Report<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Cuban Fishing<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>sites.\u00a0Please check here for\u00a0Live Sanibel Traffic Cams<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong>Click\u00a0here for\u00a0College Of Fishing\u00a0Hats & Apparel<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Gag<\/a>
Gag Grouper, Offshore, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Monday, March 14, 2016 ~ #Sanibel #Captiva.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Mycteroperca microlepis<\/b><\/i> (the gag<\/b>, gag grouper<\/b>, velvet rockfish<\/b> or charcoal belly<\/b>) is a species of grouper<\/a> from warmer parts of the West Atlantic, including the Caribbean<\/a> and Gulf of Mexico<\/a>. 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<\/a>. It lacks the streamer-points on the tail fin that scamp (Mycteroperca phenax<\/a><\/i>) and yellowmouth grouper (M. interstitialis<\/a><\/i>) have, and lacks yellow coloration around the mouth.<\/p>\n

\"Gag<\/a>
Gag Grouper, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Thursday, 1-7-16 ~ #Sanibel #Captiva.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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<\/a>. It’s flaky white meat is considered quite delicious.<\/p>\n

\"Jean,<\/a>
Jean, Grouper, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Friday, 2-26-16 ~ #Sanibel #Captiva.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Members of this species are known to be protogynous hermaphrodites<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

\"Gag<\/a>
Gag Grouper, 11-19-14, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing & Fort Myers Fishing Charters & Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Recently, a small closure in the Gulf of Mexico was established to provide this and other species a refuge from commercial fishing pressure<\/a>, however, these data are highly in dispute and are currently being challenged for inaccuracies.<\/p>\n

\"Grouper,<\/a>
Grouper, 7-22-14, Redfish Pass, North Captiva, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

[Gag grouper] 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.” \u00a0More background here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\"Gag<\/a>
Gag Grouper, Courtesy Of Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Image Credit- \u00a9 Diane Rome Peebles<\/a>, May 7, 2017.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Image Credit: \u00a9 Diane Rome Peebles<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

“Gag Grouper Appearance:<\/h2>\n