Scamp Grouper
Mycteroperca phenax
Also called Broomtail.
How to tell it
Tan-gray with small dark dot clusters; broom-tail streamers on big fish.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16 in total length minimum | 4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate | Follows federal waters: open Jul 1–Dec 31; closed Jan 1–Jun 30ADCNR Marine Resources (Ala. Admin. Code r. 220-3-.46(1)); 50 CFR 622.34(h) · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic) | 20 in TL min | Up to 3 within 3-grouper aggregate | Open May 1-Dec 31FWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | 16 in TL min | Up to 4 within 4-grouper aggregate | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| GeorgiaFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | 20 in total length | 1 per person per day (scamp or yellowmouth grouper combined), within 3-grouper aggregate | May 1 – Dec 31 (spawning closure Jan 1 – Apr 30)SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked | Open |
| Louisiana | 16 in total length | 4 per person in grouper aggregate | Open year-round; closed Feb. 1–Mar. 31 seaward of the 20-fathom lineLDWF 2026 · checked | Open |
| Maryland | No size limit | 1 (all groupers combined) | Open year-roundMD DNR 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| Mississippi | 16 in total length minimum | 4 per person per day (grouper aggregate) | Open year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| North CarolinaFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | 20 in total length | 1 per person per day (scamp or yellowmouth grouper combined), within 3-grouper aggregate | May 1 – Dec 31 (spawning closure Jan 1 – Apr 30)SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked | Open |
| South Carolina | No size limit in state waters | 3-grouper aggregate (federal sub-limit: 1 scamp or yellowmouth combined) | Open year-round in state watersSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| TexasFederal rule (Gulf federal waters) | 16 in total length | Within 4-grouper aggregate (4 groupers combined per person per day) | Open Jul 1–Dec 31; closed Jan 1–Jun 30NOAA SERO / 50 CFR 622.34(h) (91 FR 36545); 20-fathom closure removed by NOAA FB26-058 (Gulf Amendment 62 final rule, effective Oct 2, 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 | 29 lb 10 oz | 2000 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 29.6 lb | 2021 · Gulf of Mexico | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Georgia | 27 lb 2.24 oz | 2014 | GA DNR CRD Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Louisiana | 33.75 lb | 2003 · 30 m. S of S. Pass | LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Mississippi | 28 lb 4.32 oz | 2016 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| North Carolina | 32 lb | 2016 · Off Atlantic Beach | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| South Carolina | 28 lb 8.3 oz | 2018 · Crazy Sister Marina, Murrells Inlet | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 29 lb | 2013 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
How anglers catch it
Deep ledges and live bottom; a cigar minnow on a knocker rig, and the best-eating grouper on the boat.
On the table
Outstanding — many call it the best-eating grouper.
In the app
Point the camera at a scamp 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 scamp grouper
What is the size limit for scamp grouper?
It depends on the state. Alabama: 16 in total length minimum; Florida (Atlantic): 20 in TL min; Florida (Gulf): 16 in TL min; Georgia: 20 in total length; Louisiana: 16 in total length; Mississippi: 16 in total length minimum; North Carolina: 20 in total length; Texas: 16 in total length.
How many scamp grouper can you keep?
Alabama: 4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate; Florida (Atlantic): Up to 3 within 3-grouper aggregate; Florida (Gulf): Up to 4 within 4-grouper aggregate; Georgia: 1 per person per day (scamp or yellowmouth grouper combined), within 3-grouper aggregate; Louisiana: 4 per person in grouper aggregate; Maryland: 1 (all groupers combined); Mississippi: 4 per person per day (grouper aggregate); North Carolina: 1 per person per day (scamp or yellowmouth grouper combined), within 3-grouper aggregate; and more in the table above.
When is scamp grouper season?
Alabama: Follows federal waters: open Jul 1–Dec 31; closed Jan 1–Jun 30; Florida (Atlantic): Open May 1-Dec 31; Georgia: May 1 – Dec 31 (spawning closure Jan 1 – Apr 30); North Carolina: May 1 – Dec 31 (spawning closure Jan 1 – Apr 30); Texas: Open Jul 1–Dec 31; closed Jan 1–Jun 30.
How do you catch scamp grouper?
Deep ledges and live bottom; a cigar minnow on a knocker rig, and the best-eating grouper on the boat. Methods: bottom, live bait. Baits: cigar minnow, squid, pinfish. Lures: bucktail.
What is the record scamp grouper?
33.75 lb in Louisiana (2003), 30 m. S of S. Pass. Other states’ records are in the table.