Black Grouper?

Grouper Genius

I have caught my fair share of Gags, Reds, and Scamp out here in the Gulf, but I believe this is my first Black. Got it in 52FOW out of Hudson. And yes, I did release it.

Slough

Believe you did.

TennesseeDave

Nice!

Kokosing Lover

I think that one is still a gag. Super dark, but it does happen with gags. Can't be certain because it really isn't a good picture for ID; next time try to get a broadside shot with even lighting if you can.

Couple things that say gag and not black:

The blue/white edging on the tail and dorsal fin are gag traits that don't show up on blacks

No visible polka-dots along the belly that are characteristic of black grouper, though we might not be seeing them because of intensity of the fish's other coloration and bad picture

The patterning of the lines as they approach the top of the head/eyes is very typical of what you will see on the younger gags.

We do see blacks on occasion in our area, but the blue edge on the fins is what really points to the fish being a gag and not a black. It is a uniquely beautiful fish though.

skyway ande

Caught in 60' of blue water out of St. Marks FL. We turned back and trolled thru the same spot and caught a second one the same size.
In the Month of April, about 10 years ago.

dcheek2112

Kokosing appreciate the long explanation. You just happen to be wrong with this one. Clearly a black grouper and not a gag.

Slough

Being a juvenile it is hard to tell, but that straight tail leads me toward believing black.

http://blog.slidemoor.com/gag-black-or-goliath-grouper/

Grouper Genius

Well, this guy was at least 18" and like said I have caught LOTS of gags from 6" to 42". Sorry for the bad pic. Not a professional photographer. Had some nice thin blue lines in the face as well.

Gooch23

100% black

Doc Stressor

While I've seen a few gags with that rectangular blotch pattern, that fish looks like a black. The short face, broom tail, and black fins are typical of a black. If the fins really had blue edges, I'd have to call it a gag. But you can't tell from the picture where there are other light areas that could be refraction around edges.

drgibby

Carbo

releasegear

definitely black

ANUMBER1

I say black also.

tama2

That is a true black.

GratefulEd

That’s a black grouper.
Nice catch.

sk018

100 percent black.
I have seen a couple caught out of Sarasota and I saw one free diving new pass. Buddy caught one in new pass about 21 inches

Grouper Genius

I'm hoping we see more in the future up here. Wasn't till last year I caught Red Snappers short of 120FOW so you never know.

conchydong

A black for sure, surprised you don't see more of them in your area.

DoubleD!

100% Black Grouper. 

andrewthe1

looks like a warsaw to me??

harbison

All but sure this is indeed a true black grouper:

Decades ago we called them 'gags.' We now know that gags are different. 
We see very few true blacks on the Florida Middle Grounds, about one a year.  This one came from the Elbow:

Thanks for sharing. Keep the pictures coming.  Great job! 

Keepnitreel