Florida Gulf · Tampa Bay
Gag Grouper: size limit, bag limit & season
Checked against FWC · July 1, 2026
In Florida's Gulf waters, including Tampa Bay, a gag grouper must be at least 24 inches (total length) to keep. The bag limit is 2 per harvester (within the 4-fish Gulf grouper aggregate). Season: Check MyFWC.com for the current-year Gulf season dates.
The rules
| Size limit | 24" minimum (total length) |
|---|---|
| Bag limit | 2 per harvester (within the 4-fish Gulf grouper aggregate) |
| Season | Check MyFWC.com for the current-year Gulf season dates |
| Rules & notes | Gulf grouper aggregate: 4 fish/harvester/day combined, all grouper species. |
Gulf grouper aggregate: all grouper species combined count toward a 4-fish-per-harvester-per-day limit.
Not legal advice. These are Florida's Gulf-zone limits (Tampa Bay region where FWC sets regional rules), checked against FWC on July 1, 2026. Limits change by region, gear and date — confirm on MyFWC.com before you keep a fish.
When gag grouper are most active
Gag grouper are most active around the Gulf Coast in September–December. That's when they bite best, not when harvest is open. Harvest season: Check MyFWC.com for the current-year Gulf season dates.
Check it on the water
Log a gag grouper in Newbreeds and the size check compares your length against these limits — keeper or release — with a link to FWC to confirm. Every catch also records the tide, pressure trend, water temperature and moon automatically, so over time you see which conditions your gag grouper actually bite in. Logging is free.
Get Newbreeds — free All Florida Gulf limits
Questions
What is the size limit for gag grouper in Florida?
In Florida's Gulf waters, including Tampa Bay, a gag grouper must be at least 24 inches (total length) to keep. Gulf grouper aggregate: 4 fish/harvester/day combined, all grouper species.
How many gag grouper can I keep in Florida?
The Gulf-zone bag limit is 2 per harvester (within the 4-fish Gulf grouper aggregate).
When is gag grouper season in Florida?
In Florida's Gulf waters: Check MyFWC.com for the current-year Gulf season dates.
When is the best time to catch gag grouper around Tampa Bay?
Gag grouper are most active around the Gulf Coast in September–December. That's when they bite best, not when harvest is open. Harvest season: Check MyFWC.com for the current-year Gulf season dates.