08/14/2026
Did you know that I write an article every week in the North River Newspaper on the Palmetto Bait and Tackle fishing page? This week I wrote about the up coming Gag grouper season. Be sure to grab a paper each week and check out what we may be talking about in the fishing world!! Below is this weeks article.
Gearing Up for Gags
Here we are, slap in the middle of August. It’s hot, we’re getting lots of much-needed rain, and the kids are back in school. I guess we are officially in the dog days of summer!
However, there is something to look forward to besides football starting back up soon—Gag Grouper season opens September 1, 2026!
In fact, we actually get a full month of Gag season this year, which is a huge improvement over last year’s 10-day season. There will always be rules and regulations surrounding our fishery, and we may agree or disagree with the “powers that be” about those regulations, but the bottom line is that we need to follow them.
I’m not going to give my opinion on the regulations—even though I think Gag Grouper season should be longer. Nope, not giving my opinion at all! Oops!!
Anyway, let’s just be thankful for the 30 days we get this year because, as we all know, it could be worse!
This week, we’re going to talk about where to find Gag Grouper, what gear to use, and the different styles and types of bait that work best.
Where to Find Gag Grouper
First off, where can we find Gags?
If you’re fishing offshore, it’s generally pretty simple: look for ledges on your bottom machine and send down a bait. Deeper water is often preferred—say, 80 to 150 feet—but don’t overlook good ledges in shallower water around 30 to 50 feet because there are some big Gags there, too.
The key when fishing those shallower nearshore waters is to send down a big bait. If you fish smaller baits, you’ll generally end up catching smaller fish such as grunts, Lane Snapper, and small Red Grouper. So don’t be afraid to send down something big because, as the old saying goes, “Big bait, big fish!”
Targeting Gag Grouper in Tampa Bay can also be an absolute blast. There is a tremendous amount of structure throughout the bay, and structure generally holds Gags.
One of the most popular areas is around the Skyway Bridge because there is plenty of old bridge rubble and other structure that holds fish. The problem with fishing around the Skyway is simple: fishing pressure. Everybody knows there are fish there.
One of the best things you can do is spend a day or two before the season opens trolling around the bay and doing some homework. Make grid patterns with your boat and watch your bottom machine closely. Mark any structure, ledge, rubble pile, or other bottom feature that looks promising, then go back and investigate those areas. Finding your own spots away from the crowds can pay off big once September 1 rolls around.
Gearing Up for Gags
When choosing gear for Gag Grouper, keep one thing in mind: Gags are one of the meanest fish around!
They are incredibly strong, they live around rocks and structure, and when hooked, their first instinct is to immediately retreat back into those rocks. Once there, they can flare out their gill plates and hold their ground.
At that point, it becomes a waiting game. You can try to muscle them out and risk breaking your line, or you can be patient, let the fish settle down, and then give it your best attempt to coax it back out.
Unfortunately, we all know how this story usually ends—a break-off and a few choice words!
My go-to setup for Gag Grouper fishing is pretty simple. I like a 6000-series spinning reel with a strong drag system—30 pounds or more of drag is ideal—paired with a 7-foot rod rated to at least 30 pounds. I spool the reel with a minimum of 50-pound braid, add 60- to 80-pound leader, and finish it off with a 6/0 to 8/0 circle hook.
With that setup, you’re ready to do battle!
Choosing the Right Bait
Bait selection can vary quite a bit when targeting Gags, but when fishing nearshore or offshore, bigger baits definitely matter.
Frozen and dead baits work just fine. When choosing dead bait, look for large threadfins, mackerel, or whole squid. Plenty of other dead baits will work as well, but the important thing is to choose something substantial enough that every little fish on the bottom can’t steal it before a Grouper gets a chance.
Live pinfish are excellent Gag baits, along with grunts, squirrelfish, or sand perch, as some people call them. These baits can often be caught in 25 to 35 feet of water on your way offshore to your favorite Grouper spot.
When targeting Gag Grouper inside Tampa Bay, I find that live bait works best. My three favorite live baits in the bay are large threadfins, spadefish, and pinfish.
Yes, I said spadefish!
Spadefish are excellent Gag baits. They dart straight toward the bottom, and Gags love them. I prefer to freeline live baits in Tampa Bay, so anything that naturally wants to head straight down toward the structure gets my attention.
Spadefish can often be cast-netted around channel markers. Pinfish can be netted or caught on a Sabiki around the Skyway, and large threadfins can be found off the beach, around the Skyway, and near channel markers.
Trolling for Gags
Trolling is another great way to catch Gag Grouper, particularly inside Tampa Bay. While it may not be quite as exciting as watching a Grouper crush a live bait, trolling can produce some very good-quality fish.
You’ll want a diving lure capable of reaching at least 20 feet. Get your boat moving just above idle speed, put the lure out behind the boat, and start covering water.
The Rapala X-Rap Magnum 20 and 30 are great choices. Last year, the Hot Head color seemed to be the fan favorite, but there are plenty of productive colors to choose from.
Trolling also gives you another advantage—you’re covering water and learning the bottom at the same time. Pay attention to your bottom machine while you troll, and when you find productive structure, be sure to mark it. That spot may produce another fish later with a live bait dropped on it.
Get Ready for September!
Be sure to stop by Palmetto Bait & Tackle and get geared up for Gags! We have the rods, reels, line, leader, hooks, trolling lures, and frozen bait you need to be successful.
Remember, the 2026 Gulf Gag Grouper season runs September 1 through September 30. The keeper size limit is 24” and you can keep 2 per person with an aggregate of 4.
We’re looking forward to getting back out on the water and targeting some Gag Grouper, and hopefully you are too!
Get your gear ready, find some good bottom, load up on big baits, and get ready—Gag season is almost here!
