Along all the the coasts of Florida and the Bahamas , from inshore estuaries out to the deepest waters offshore Groupers are found.  They are the most widely available of the game fish and also offer a great number of differing varieties. Twenty one different types in all. The Gag, Red Groupers and the Jewfish (a species closed permanently to all harvesting due to over fishing which almost made the species extinct. The species have now started to make a comeback and have been renamed Goliath Grouper) are the most widely distributed.  Most of the other species, Nassau, Red Hind, Black, Yellowfin and Scamp live in and around the coral reefs of the extreme south of Florida.

Groupers live close to the bottom and are always associated with some type of submerged structure i.e. reef or wreck. 

The Gag Grouper is common up to a weight of 25lbs.  
The Florida record being 71lbs 3ozs.  

The Red Grouper is common in weight to about 15lbs.  
The Florida record is 39lbs 8ozs.  

The Jewfish can attain weight up to 800lbs and is more common in the south of Florida than the north.
The Florida record is a whopping 680lbs, however this fish may no longer be harvested as the "species is in danger".

Nassau Grouper common weight 1 to 10lbs.  
Florida record 3lbs 4ozs.  
World record 38lbs 8ozs.

Red Hind common weight 1-2lbs. 
World record 6lbs 1oz.

Black Grouper common weight up to 40lbs. There is no Florida record due to common confusion with the Gag Grouper. Our picture on the above shows a  Black Grouper weighing in at 50 lbs and 48 inches long. Caught 60 miles off Johns Pass on the 7th Jan 2001 using a Porgy as bait.
World record 114lbs

Yellowfin Grouper common in weight up to 20lbs.  Florida record 34lbs 6oz.   World record 40lbs 12ozs.

Scamp is found usually in weight up to 10lbs. 
Florida record is 25lbs 4ozs.  
World record 29lbs.

Groupers are caught using traditional bottom tackle rigs.  Leaders need be substantial as these fish are usually on the large size and dive straight back into the whole in which they live. Quit often you loose the battle with snapped off gear. A JEWFISH was caught by a lady right near our boat dock during June 2000 in about 20' of water, it weighed in at a staggering 175lbs before being returned to the water.

All the Groupers are considered to be excellent in eating quality, and grouper is on the menu in most Florida restaurants.  However commercially the Scamp Grouper is considered as the prize.