Gag Grouper
Mycteroperca microlepis
Also called Gray grouper.
How to tell it
Box-shaped worm markings in gray marble; darker fins with white edge on the anal.
Often mistaken for
One fish that gets called gag grouper, and what gives it away.
- Black grouper: Rectangular dark blotches, brassy spots. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 24 in total length minimum | 2 per person within 4-grouper aggregate | State waters follow federal Gulf season: 2026 open Sept 1 - 30AL MRD 2026 · checked | Closed |
| Florida (Atlantic) | 24 in TL min | 1 gag or black combined within 3-grouper aggregate; 2 per vessel | 2026 season May 1-Aug 1 (closed by executive order Aug 2)FWC 2026 (grouper-regs-1026, eff. Oct 28) · checked | Closed |
| Florida (Gulf) | 24 in TL min | 2 per person within 4-grouper aggregate | 2026 Gulf season: Sep 1-30FWC 2026 · checked | Closed |
| Georgia | 25 in total length | 2 per person per day | Open year-roundGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Louisiana | 24 in total length | 4 per person in grouper aggregate, max 2 gag | 2026: Sep 1–30 (closes 11:59 p.m. Sep 30)LDWF 2026 · checked | Closed |
| Maryland | No size limit | 1 (all groupers combined) | Open year-roundMD DNR 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| Mississippi | 24 in total length minimum | 2 per person | Sep 1 – Sep 30, 2026MS DMR 2026 · checked | Closed |
| North CarolinaFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | 24 in total length | 1 per day (gag or black grouper combined; max 2 per vessel), within 3-grouper aggregate | 2026 season May 1 – Aug 1; quota-closed Aug 2, 2026 through Apr 30, 2027NOAA SERO; 91 FR 61160 (Sep 28, 2026); 50 CFR 622.187(b)(2)(i) · checked | Closed |
| South Carolina | 24 in total length | 1/day gag or black grouper (not both), within 3-grouper aggregate | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Texas | 24 in total length | 2 | Open year-roundTPWD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Virginia | No size limit | 1 grouper per person (all grouper species combined) | Open year-roundVMRC 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 74 lb 8 oz | 1963 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 80.38 lb | 1993 · Destin | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Georgia | 38 lb | 2002 | GA DNR CRD Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Louisiana | 74.43 lb | 2013 · Venice, La | LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Mississippi | 67 lb 6.4 oz | 2021 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| North Carolina | 48 lb | 2018 · Off Morehead City | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| South Carolina | 54 lb 4 oz | 2018 · Isle of Palms Marina | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 69.4 lb | 2003 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
How anglers catch it
Live pinfish on a knocker rig over ledges and rock; deep plugs trolled slowly over the same bottom.
On the table
Excellent.
In the app
Point the camera at a gag grouper and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about gag grouper
What is the size limit for gag grouper?
It depends on the state. Alabama: 24 in total length minimum; Florida (Atlantic): 24 in TL min; Florida (Gulf): 24 in TL min; Georgia: 25 in total length; Louisiana: 24 in total length; Mississippi: 24 in total length minimum; North Carolina: 24 in total length; South Carolina: 24 in total length; and more in the table above.
How many gag grouper can you keep?
Alabama: 2 per person within 4-grouper aggregate; Florida (Atlantic): 1 gag or black combined within 3-grouper aggregate; 2 per vessel; Florida (Gulf): 2 per person within 4-grouper aggregate; Georgia: 2 per person per day; Louisiana: 4 per person in grouper aggregate, max 2 gag; Maryland: 1 (all groupers combined); Mississippi: 2 per person; North Carolina: 1 per day (gag or black grouper combined; max 2 per vessel), within 3-grouper aggregate; and more in the table above.
When is gag grouper season?
Alabama: State waters follow federal Gulf season: 2026 open Sept 1 - 30; Florida (Atlantic): 2026 season May 1-Aug 1 (closed by executive order Aug 2); Florida (Gulf): 2026 Gulf season: Sep 1-30; Louisiana: 2026: Sep 1–30 (closes 11:59 p.m. Sep 30); Mississippi: Sep 1 – Sep 30, 2026; North Carolina: 2026 season May 1 – Aug 1; quota-closed Aug 2, 2026 through Apr 30, 2027.
How do you tell gag grouper from black grouper?
Gag Grouper: Box-shaped worm markings in gray marble; darker fins with white edge on the anal. Black grouper: rectangular dark blotches, brassy spots.
How do you catch gag grouper?
Live pinfish on a knocker rig over ledges and rock; deep plugs trolled slowly over the same bottom. Methods: bottom, live bait, trolling. Baits: pinfish, cigar minnow, sardine, squid. Lures: diving plug, bucktail.
What is the record gag grouper?
80.38 lb in Florida (1993), Destin. Other states’ records are in the table.