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Scamp Grouper

Mycteroperca phenax

Considered the premier eating grouper. Deeper than gag, light bite, often hooks on dropper rigs while jigging for AJs.

Preferred water temp65–80°F

Preferred depth80–400 ft

Peak monthsMay, Jun, Sep, Oct

Holds ondeep ledges, hard bottom, high relief

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBig Bend — GulfNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas GulfBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaBahamas — Abaco & Andros

Regulations

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

Showing 8 of 8 regulations

SC_ATLANTIC

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit

3 / angler / day

Minimum

20″ TL (total length)

Season

Invalid Date → Invalid Date

Within 3-grouper aggregate. Closed Jan 1 - Apr 30.

SC scamp: 3/day, 20" TL.

FEDERAL

Federal Gulf (9–200 nm) — GMFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 1 / angler / day
Minimum: 18″ TL (total length)

Federal Gulf: 1/person within Gulf aggregate, 18" min as of recent reductions. Verify current rule before retaining.

AL_GULF

Alabama — State waters (0–3 nm) · AL CNR-MRD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 4 / angler / day
Minimum: 16″ TL (total length)

Alabama scamp: 4/day, 16" TL.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENSeasonal

Bag limit

4 / angler / day

Minimum

20″ TL (total length)

Season

May 1, 2026 → Dec 31, 2026Atlantic open (post-closure)

Atlantic shallow-water grouper closure Jan 1 – Apr 30. Within 4-fish grouper aggregate.

NC_ATLANTIC

North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit

3 / angler / day

Minimum

20″ TL (total length)

Season

Invalid Date → Invalid Date

Per SAFMC.

NC scamp: 3/day, 20" TL.

LA_GULF

Louisiana — State waters (0–3 nm) · LDWF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 4 / angler / day
Minimum: 16″ TL (total length)

Within 4-grouper aggregate.

Louisiana scamp: 4/day, 16" TL.

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 1 / angler / day
Minimum: 20″ TL (total length)

Federal South Atlantic: 1/angler within snapper-grouper aggregate, 20" TL min as of recent reductions.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 4 / angler / day
Minimum: 16″ TL (total length)

Within 4-grouper aggregate.

FL Gulf scamp: 4/day, 16" TL.