inshore strawberry
lunched the boat just after the rain, headed for the grouper hole, the wife got 2 mother inlaws, few mins go by and drag starts peelin set the hook and up comes this fine pice of dinner, wife set the hook on one couldnt get it to the boat but a good nite for the dinner table
Replies
And he has really small feet. :wink
First off, that's a Red Grouper you caught, Shiner. As I don't see a tape measure in that photo, I won't speculate on it's legality.
Second, that's not an illustration of a Strawberry Grouper, Lead Slinger... that's a Red Hind.
The irony is that a true Strawberry Grouper Epinephelus drummondhayi (aka: Speckled Hind, Kitty Mitchell, Calico Grouper), has a color pattern that looks opposite that of an actual strawberry. They have many small LIGHT spots on a DARK background... which is the inverse of the several other similar species that have darker spots on a lighter background.
This is a Strawberry Grouper: These are NOT a common catch, are are usually found on deeper reefs... 200-300ft.
Federal: prohibited. State: 1 per vessel, no minimum size, no closure.
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Red Grouper: They're actually more brown than red.
Federal & State: closed January 1 thru April 30. 3 per angler grouper aggregate, 20 inch minimum size.
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Red Hind: These are probably the most common on the reefs, and most often mis-named "strawberry groupers" because of their bright red color. And honestly, I think they look more like a strawberry than a true Strawberry Grouper.
Federal & State: closed January 1 thru April 30. 3 per angler grouper aggregate, no minimum size.
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Rock Hind:
Federal & State: closed January 1 thru April 30. 3 per angler grouper aggregate, no minimum size.
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Coney: The spots on the red phase are sometime ringed with blue. These can also be a bright yellow at a certain times of their lifecycle.
Federal & State: closed January 1 thru April 30. 3 per angler grouper aggregate, no minimum size.
I know my post may seem condescending, but my aim is to inform. Especially since this information could mean the difference between a legal catch and a $500 fine.
Fireman Bill
Gag, Black, Scamp, Goliath, Warsaw, Nassau, Mistic, Broomtail, Snowy, Yellow Edge, Yellow Mouth ... that's a whole 'nother lesson! hahaha