Black Grouper (Mycteroperca Bonaci)

The Black Grouper, mostly found in the choppy waters of the Atlantic Ocean, have been known to swim as far north as to Massachusetts and as far south as to Brazil.  Most Black Groupers live in between the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys, all the way down to Bahamas in the Caribbean. 

Black Grouper are sought after for their taste and rarity, they are not endangered, so fishing for them is still permissible.  They aren’t extremely abundant, but they aren‘t too hard to find.  They can be found in waters from 6 to 33 meters in depth, and live in these shallow areas because they prefer higher temperatures of the sun-warmed waters.

Use the right equipment, the right bait and get them out of the rocks, and this may be you holding this monster Black Grouper

The adult Black Groupers tend to eat squid and small fish, while the younger members of the species feed on small crustaceans. The young especially favor the taste of shrimp. Their diet is usually specific to the area and what is available at that time.  They don’t feed far from their homes, because they prefer the security of shelter.

Both natural and artificial baits work to catch a Black Grouper.  Once hooked, they need to be reeled in quickly, as they tend to retreat back into the structure in which they hide, trying to cut the line and release them.  They are incredibly skittish and quick responding, so an angler needs to have good reflexes. This is the main reason why landing a Black Grouper is so rare, because catching them requires perfect timing and a good bit of angling experience. The second the line shows signs of a fish, the angler needs to respond quickly, otherwise kissing his hopes of a successful catch goodbye.