St. Pete's Expert-Guided Half-Day Inshore Fishing

Cobia

Cobia are bruisers that'll test your arms. They average 6 feet and 100 pounds, with a dark brown color that often gets them mistaken for sharks. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30 to 70 feet of water during spawning season. They're loners, which makes them tricky to target, but sight fishing is your best bet. Look for them just below the surface, especially during their spring migration. Cobia are prized for their firm, tasty meat and the powerful fight they put up. To catch 'em, try bucktail jigs in the 4 to 8 oz range - color doesn't matter much. Here's a local trick: keep an eye out for rays, as Cobia often follow them looking for easy meals. When you spot one, cast your jig or live bait right in front of it. Be ready for a strong initial run when they take the bait. Landing a big Cobia is always a highlight of any trip.

Goliath Grouper

Goliath Grouper

Fish Description

As the name implies, this is a gigantic species of Grouper. As the biggest Grouper in the western Atlantic, they are stocky in shape, have tiny eyes and broadheads. Their pectoral and tail fins are connected along the back. They can live in brackish water and tolerate low oxygen levels.

They can grow to 8 feet in length and weigh up to 800 pounds. 

Atlantic Goliath Grouper vs. Pacific Goliath Grouper

At one time, it was thought the Atlantic and Pacific Goliath Groupers were the same species, and centuries ago, they were the same species. They are now considered sister species. There are a few distinguishing marks between the two. The Pacific Goliath Grouper has primarily dark grey coloration, which is punctuated by small, white spots and blotches, and many times yellow accenting their fins. The Atlantic Goliath Grouper is mottled tan and grey. The Atlantic Grouper is also larger than the Pacific species.

Interesting Fish Facts

 Adult Goliath Groupers gather together in spawning groups as soon as they prepared to mate. The groups vary in size, number, and location. Once they are together, the females lay eggs. Once the males fertilize the eggs, they rise to the surface of the water. The eggs then drift with the ocean currents for about 40 to 60 days, reaching the nursery areas as the baby groupers hatch out. These tiny groupers swim to the bottom of the ocean and hide in sea mangroves and grasses until they grow larger. 

They may experience a sex reversal with age. All young groupers are female, but as they grow older, some become male. Only small percentages remain out of maturity long enough to become males, thus ensuring that most groupers are egg-laying females. 

In addition to its potentially large size, an extra defense that some Groupers have is the ability to change their skin color. At times the color change is as simple as changing from dark to light to mix in with different light levels. Other Groupers have developed colorful patterns consisting of stripes, blotches, or spots that help them blend with the ocean floor and reef bottom.

Goliath Groupers are known to live 35 years, but now some scientists estimate the lifespan for these mammoth fish is 50 - 100 years.

Divers beware! These groupers are known to stalk divers.

Habitat & Distribution

Juveniles live and survive in canals, brackish estuaries, and mangrove swamps. When they mature, they move to shallow, tropical waters among coral or artificial reefs. Notably, they are one of the few groupers found in brackish water. 

Goliath Grouper are loners. There are limited home ranges; these fish can be alone. They are primarily found in shallow, tropical waters in man-made and natural structures especially coral reefs. In the eastern Atlantic Ocean, they navigate yearly to a spawning area for breeding; the location and season vary according to the population.

The Goliath Grouper's population is concentrated in the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys. Occasionally, they are found as far north as New England on the coast of Massachusetts and Maine.

They are also found in the Caribbean and parts of South America. 

Bait and Lures

Goliath Groupers feed on sea turtles and crustaceans, mostly crabs. Other slow-moving fish such as burrfish, catfish, toadfish, and octopus will be found in their diet. These would be good fish to use as bait along with ladyfish and crevalle jack. Lures would be unsuccessful with these huge fish. 

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Goliath Grouper

The rod and reel you use need to be strong and extra-heavy since these fish are known to break gear. Goliath Grouper puts up an intense but usually short-lived fight. That first pull will be enough to pull you right off the boat if you are not careful, so be prepared. You will want a very heavy rod.

Considering the shallow water depth and size of this fish, we suggest a 50-80 wide reel. It should be sufficient to accommodate the 400 - 600 pound monofilament fishing line you will need. And as these fish live near rocks, reefs, and structures, you will need a line with some stretch. A 600-pound test monofilament fishing line is abrasion-resistant and will give you what you need. We also recommend a 20/O circle hook, big enough to get around the massive jaws of this fish. 

The key to Grouper fishing is anchoring close enough to the reef so you can get the fish will come out to take the bait, but also distant enough to have a chance to pull them away from the reef before they try to get back and break you off. One important tip when fishing is to bounce the bait off the bottom to create some commotion. They have no predators, and they are not shy. 

Is Goliath Grouper Good to Eat?

Goliath Grouper is known for its unique taste, which is unlike any other fish you’ve ever tried. It has a delicate white flesh that is mild, yet subtly sweet, making it a versatile ingredient that can be used in various recipes. The flavor profile of Goliath Grouper is exceptional, and it can easily soak up whatever seasoning or cooking techniques you choose to use, allowing you to create a dish that is personalized to your liking. Whether you prefer it grilled or baked, this fish will leave your taste buds longing for more. Its distinct flavor and texture make it a popular choice for seafood lovers who want to explore different tastes and experiences. So next time you’re looking for something different and exciting to try, consider the Goliath Grouper, and get ready to be pleasantly surprised!

Goliath Grouper Population

A dangerous combination of factors going against the Goliath is that they are sluggish fish that are slow to grow and reproduce. Secondly, considering their large size, they are found in relatively shallow waters of around 150 feet. These are a dangerous combination.  They have experienced an estimated 80% population reduction because of overfishing. Because of this, all harvest of Goliath Groupers is forbidden by law. 

Remember, these amazing fish are protected, and we all should be doing our part. Adhere to the rules of catch and release and leave these fish unharmed.

World Record

The world record for a hook-and-line caught Goliath Grouper is 680 pounds caught off Fernandina Beach, Florida, in 1961.

King Mackerel

King Mackerel, or Kingfish, are speedy predators that'll give you a run for your money. They typically weigh around 30 pounds but can hit 90. You'll find them in depths from 40 to 150 feet, with bigger ones hanging out in harbors and inlets. Kings love warm water, so late spring through fall is prime time. They're popular for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps - real crowd-pleasers on the line. To catch 'em, try trolling with large planers and heavy tackle. Live bait works wonders too. Here's a local trick: use a two-hook rig with one in the bait's mouth and another dangling or through its back. Kings often bite the rear, so this setup increases your hook-up chances. Just watch out for those teeth when you're handling them - they're razor-sharp. Kings make for good eating, but be mindful of mercury levels, especially for kids and pregnant women.

Permit

Permit are the holy grail for many anglers - tall, flat, and notoriously tricky to catch. They average around 36 inches but can hit 48 inches and 60 pounds. You'll find juveniles inshore on shallow flats, while adults hang around wrecks and reefs. Spring through fall is prime time, coinciding with their spawning season. Anglers love the challenge - Permit have incredible eyesight and are easily spooked. For the best shot, use live blue crabs or convincing imitations. If you're fly fishing, go for a 12-weight rod and crab patterns. Here's a local tip: when sight fishing, look for their sickle-shaped tails breaking the surface. They often tail in very shallow water, sometimes just 2 feet deep. Patience is key - get your bait in front of them and wait. When you hook one, be ready for a long, hard fight. It's all part of what makes landing a Permit such a trophy experience.

Sea Trout

Sea Trout, also called Speckled Trout, are a favorite among our local anglers. These silvery, spotted fish usually run 14 to 24 inches and weigh 1 to 5 pounds. You'll find them in grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. They love temperatures between 33 and 80°F, so they're catchable year-round here in St. Pete. In winter, they school up in deeper waters, sometimes down to 164 feet. Anglers enjoy targeting them for their delicate, mild-flavored meat and the fun fight they put up. To catch 'em, try artificial lures like jerk baits, topwater plugs, or plastic shrimp. If you're having trouble, troll at idle speed along grass flats. Here's a tip: don't overcook Sea Trout - their meat is softer than other inshore fish and can get mushy fast. They're best lightly cooked for that perfect flaky texture.