Top-Rated 4-Hour Naples Offshore Fishing Trip

Cobia

Cobia are one of our most sought-after fish. These powerful swimmers can reach 6 feet and 100 pounds, though 20-40 pounders are more common. You'll spot them near buoys, wrecks, and even following large rays or sharks in 20-70 feet of water. Spring and early summer are prime times as they migrate through. Anglers love cobia for their hard-fighting nature and excellent table fare. When hooked, they make strong runs and often jump. To catch them, we often sight-fish, looking for their distinctive shape just under the surface. A local trick is to use a bucktail jig or live eel. Cast well ahead of the fish and retrieve quickly. Be ready for a powerful strike and immediate run. Cobia have a habit of circling the boat, so be prepared to move around quickly. It's an exciting catch from start to finish!

Gag Grouper

Gag Grouper (Mycteroperca Microlepis) Fish Description

The Gag Grouper appears to be one of the less aesthetically appealing fish among the Groupers. Some even describe the Gag Grouper as “drab” in appearance. Its fins are mostly composed are rays and have a laterally-compressed oblong body. However, it does have a similarity to the Black Grouper: it’s the box-shaped black spots on the back. Their dorsal fins have 11 spines mixed with 16-18 rays while their anal fins have 3 spins with a mix of 10-12 rays.

Female Gag Groupers are normally pale or medium grey in color. Their bodies have a more marbled appearance due to the wavy patterns covering their bodies. But the best way to tell a female and a male apart is through the dorsal fin. Unlike female Gag Groupers, a male Gag Grouper’s dorsal fin is reticulated. Color-wise however, they are also darker than female Gag Groupers. Their bellies and breast are usually dark gray, almost black.  

Gag Grouper Diet and Size

Depending on their size, a Gag Grouper’s diet changes. Though, Gag Groupers are seen to prefer a variety of crustaceans such as crab and shrimp. They do like some fish and sometimes, an occasional squid.

An average Gag Grouper is 20 inches (50 cm) long. However, some have reported seeing a Gag Grouper reach 145 cm (57 inches) in length and weigh 36.5 kg (80 lbs).

Interesting Facts about the Gag Grouper

• Gag Groupers, when they mature, change sex from female to male.
  • When they’re young, all Gag Groupers start out as females.
  • However, Gag Groupers are more commonly female.
• Gag Groupers grow slowly. It usually takes them5-6 years to sexually mature.
• Juvenile Gag Groupers have a different habitat preference to adult Gag Groupers.
• Its scientific name microlepis means small scales in Latin.
• Gag Groupers can live up to 30 years.
• Red Tide can heavily affect Gag Grouper populations.

Gag Grouper – Fishing Techniques: How to Fish for a Gag Grouper

The first thing to look for is a place that can serve as shelter. Gag Groupers like hiding so, they would make use of any structure that can serve as shelter. Young Gag Groupers prefer staying inshore and in shoals until they mature. Older Gag Groupers loiter around offshore reefs and shipwrecks. Usually, when fishing for Gag Groupers, they are usually accompanied by Kingfish and Spanish Mackerel. At times, they’re also accompanied by Blacktip and Spinner Sharks. They’re found chasing herrings that swarm near the beach.

Others advise looking for stone crab traps. Since Gag Groupers love crab, they’ll most likely go to a place where crabs hide.

When it comes to bait choice, Gag Groupers love live bait. They prefer mullet and pinfish. However, some anglers have reported having success with also cut bait like octopus, squid, and crabs. Other options include using Pilchards, Cigar Minnows, and Grunts. 

For your equipment, it depends on where you are. In Florida, you’re required to use a circle hook when going bottom fishing. But some say that the standard equipment will do. Standard rod with a 40-pound line works but people have done well even with a 20-30 one. Make sure that your bait is hooked on well but with the barb still sticking out. 

When going for the Gag Grouper, be prepared to wrestle with it. Once they snag your bait, they’ll want nothing but to drag their food back to the depths where they came from. They’ll try to run against the rocks to make sure they don’t get fished out. To avoid that, make sure the reel’s locked and don’t let it freewheel otherwise it’ll give them a chance to dive into a hole. To make it easier, some people advise keeping your rod low so it’s easier to just yank them out of the water.

Gag Grouper Habitat and Distribution

Gag Groupers like staying in coastal waters with a lot of rocky structures. Some of their preferred rocky structures include rocky bottoms and reefs. They also like loitering near drop-off walls in the deep waters. But the younger Gag Groupers like staying more in the seabed.

Goliath Grouper

Goliath Grouper are the giants of the grouper family, growing up to 8 feet long and 800 pounds. These massive fish hang out near reefs, shipwrecks, and other structures in depths from 20 to 150 feet. They're most active in summer months. While catch-and-release only due to their protected status, hooking into one of these monsters is an experience you won't forget. They put up a sluggish but powerful fight, using their bulk to their advantage. To target them, use heavy tackle - at least an 80-wide reel with 400+ pound test line. Big live baits like jack crevalle work well. A local tip: when you feel the bite, lock down the drag immediately and pull hard to get them away from structure. And have your camera ready - that photo will be one for the books!

King Mackerel

King Mackerel, or "Kings", are one of the fastest fish in these waters. They typically run 10-30 pounds, but can reach over 90. You'll find them in open water from 30-150 feet deep, often around bait schools. Summer and early fall are prime seasons. Anglers love Kings for their blistering runs and aerial acrobatics when hooked. They're also good eating, though be aware of mercury levels in larger fish. To catch them, we often troll with planers and large spoons or live bait like blue runners. A local tip: when a King hits, let it run for a few seconds before setting the hook. Their razor-sharp teeth can slice through light leaders, so we use wire. Keep your drag set light and be ready for multiple long runs. It's an exciting fight from start to finish!

Red Grouper

Red Grouper are a staple of our offshore fishing. These tasty fish usually run 5-15 pounds, but can reach up to 50. You'll find them around rocky bottoms and ledges in 60-300 feet of water. They're catchable year-round, but fishing is best in spring and fall. Anglers love targeting Red Grouper for their hard-fighting nature and excellent table fare. Their meat is sweet and flaky, great for sandwiches or blackened. When fishing for them, use heavy tackle and strong line - they'll try to dive back into their rocky homes when hooked. A local trick is to use a strip of squid or a live pinfish on a circle hook. Keep your rod tip up and be ready for that initial powerful run. Just remember, there are size and bag limits in place to protect the population.