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Black Grouper

Mycteroperca bonaci

The premier Keys grouper — out-sizes gag, prefers reefs and ledges. Live bait on heavy gear, fast retrieve off the bottom.

Preferred water temp65–85°F

Preferred depth60–400 ft

Peak monthsApr, May, Sep, Oct

Holds onhard bottom, ledges, wrecks, high relief

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaBahamas — Abaco & AndrosBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandLouisiana GulfSouth Carolina CoastNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)Georgia CoastTexas Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 31, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 2 of 8 regulations for South Carolina

SC_ATLANTIC

South Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · SCDNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit

1 / angler / day

Vessel limit

2 total / vessel / day

Minimum

24″ TL (total length)

Season

Invalid Date → Invalid Date

Grouped with gag in SC. Closed Jun 26 - Apr 30.

SC black grouper: matches gag rules.

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Currently OPENSeasonal

Bag limit

1 / angler / day

Minimum

24″ TL (total length)

Season

May 1, 2026 → Dec 31, 2026Closed Jan 1 – Apr 30 alongside gag in fed South Atlantic.

Federal South Atlantic: 1/angler within snapper-grouper aggregate, 24" TL min, closed Jan-Apr.