Monday report

islandhopper

After realizing it was pretty nice , my neighbor and I decided to run out to the reef around noon. Caught some bait and ran out to 60 feet with zero bites the first 45 minutes or so . Decided to make a move to around 90 feet immediately we had action. Including a gag .(I hope that’s a gag ) that went back at about an inch short. Caught several yellow tails just short as well. Lots of
little grouper and one big mangrove at 17 inches. Fished for about three hours

Jack Hexter

It's a red grouper, and it only has to be 20" where you caught it.  And the season is open.

This is a gag.  It has to be 24" and the season is open.

piner_wahoo1

nise

islandhopper

Familiar with size limits , I’m familiar with the dates just really thought it was a gag 😩. Clearly need some practice identifying. Chalk that up as karma to come for being on the safe side I guess

John McKroid

islandhopper said:

Familiar with size limits , I’m familiar with the dates just really thought it was a gag 😩. Clearly need some practice identifying. Chalk that up as karma to come for being on the safe side I guess

Good karma for getting a bigger one in the future.......

mikegoblue2002

Applaud you for following the "If you don't know, let it go" mantra... seriously. 

Soda Popinski

Great job sending him back because you weren't sure.  Definitely a stinger though to find out he was a perfectly legal red but I feel like things like this come back on you in the best way.  I've sent down quite a few 23" gags and I don't regret any of them.   

Jack Hexter

This is a Black grouper another specie you are likely to catch in the keys, very similar in marking to a gag.

Jack Hexter

KylieWong

Easy way to distinguish that red when they come up that comoflouge color from over sand are the white blotches all over him. Also, just remember if it is more of a "husky" fish it's a red. Gags and blacks are longer slender fish. The reds love to eat and are more stubby and round in their body shape.

dihrd

Don't confuse it with a Nassau Grouper.  They are becoming more common out front.

Jack Hexter

Nassau has a dark saddle patch

piner_wahoo1

nise!

HOME DEPOT GEORGE

When the bottom gets stirred up they get that washed out look that can make ID a little difficult.