What is the largest grouper ever caught?

Atlantic goliath grouper
The world record for a hook-and-line-captured specimen is 308.44 kg (680.0 lb), caught off Fernandina Beach, Florida, in 1961. They are usually around 180 kg (400 lb) when mature. Considered of fine food quality, Atlantic goliath grouper were a highly sought-after quarry for fishermen.

Where can I find big grouper in Florida?

The biggest and baddest of the grouper species. In the Clearwater area fish caught between 100 – 400 lbs is fairly common. The best part about these monster grouper is the close proximity to shore in which they live.

How big do grouper get in Florida?

Goliath grouper is the largest of the Atlantic groupers. This giant can reach 800 pounds (455 kg) and over 8 feet (2 meters) in length. The Florida record is a 680-pound goliath grouper caught off Fernandina Beach in 1961. The species had been targeted both commercially and recreationally since at least the late 1800s.

Where is the best grouper fishing in Florida?

In the Florida Keys, good grouper spots can be found just a few miles from shore. There are nearly a dozen different species of grouper found in Florida waters, but most charter boats fishing in The Keys target the big three—gag, red and black grouper.

Can you keep Goliath grouper in Florida?

Goliath grouper fishing may be allowed in Florida again after 30-year ban. But the enormous, once-endangered fish’s population is still too low to justify fishing, scientists argue. In Florida, where they’re mainly concentrated on reefs around the southern coast, fishing for the species hasn’t been allowed since 1990.

Can you eat Goliath grouper?

Eating Goliath Grouper You can find Goliath grouper on the menu in other countries, such as Cuba, so it is definitely a fish that can be eaten. It is not as tender as some fish, but it makes excellent fish stew and chowder, which is how the fish is often prepared. The meat is not as tough as the older groupers.

Can Goliath grouper eat a human?

In fact, many people familiar with them call the fish “gentle giants.” It’s still smart to stay away from fully grown goliath groupers. They could eat a person if they wanted to! However, in general, it’s the fish that are threatened by humans, not the other way around.

Is grouper or snapper better?

In comparison to grouper, the flesh of snapper tends to be a little more delicate, but it still has a nice, sweet flavor as well when grilled, and can handle aromatic flavors better than grouper, so get creative!

Can you keep a grouper?

It’s been illegal to catch and keep a goliath grouper since 1990. Catch-and-release fishing is legal. Recently some people say the fish has made enough of a comeback that they’re becoming a nuisance, saying that they take people’s fish off of lines or spears.

Which is the heaviest grouper in the world?

The heaviest grouper ever caught and certified as an IGFA world record was this 680-pound goliath grouper. The fish — then generally known as a jewfish — was caught on May 20, 1961, off Fernandina Beach, Florida, using a Spanish mackerel as bait.

How many species of grouper can you catch in Florida?

Most anglers don’t realize it, but there are actually 17 different species of Grouper swimming in the waters of Florida. Only three species cannot be caught and eaten, you can see in the black cells in the chart below.

Which is the largest goliath grouper on YouTube?

Monster Goliath Groupers – LARGEST GOLIATH GROUPER EVER ON YOUTUBE! – Incredible Viral Fishing Video If playback doesn’t begin shortly, try restarting your device.

Where was the world record potato grouper caught?

On June 11, 2004, Takayuki Shibayama caught the record 171-pound, 10-ounce potato grouper. He caught the fish off Miyako Island in Okinawa, Japan.