Saltwater Sport Fish of the Gulf Field Guide (Fish Identification Guides)

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our site and allows us to keep sharing great book recommendations – thank you! Editorial Reviews About the Author Dave Bosanko was born in Kansas and studied engineering before following his love of nature to degrees in biology and chemistry from Emporia State University. He spent thirty years as staff biologist at two of the University of Minnesota’s field stations. Though his training was in mammal physiology, Dave worked on a wide range of research projects ranging from fish, bird, and mammal population studies to experiments with biodiversity and prairie restoration. An avid fisherman and naturalist, he has long enjoyed applying the fruits of his extensive field research to patterning fish location and behavior, and observing how these fascinating species interact with one another in the underwater web of life. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Red Grouper Epinephelus morio Family: Sea bass family (Serranidae) Other Names: mero americano Description: stout, reddish brown body; scattered white spots over pale blotches; small black spots around mouth; inside of mouth red or orange; hard dorsal fin high with a straight edge; pectoral fins longer than pelvic fins; dorsal, anal and tail fins blackish with white margins Habitat: rock walls, ledges and wrecks from 20 to 300 feet deep Food: crabs, shrimp, lobsters, octopus and fish Reproduction: matures in 4 to 7 years, then spawns in the open sea Gulf Distribution: the entire Gulf Average Size: 5 to 10 pounds World Record: 42 pounds, 2 ounces, St. Augustine, Florida, 1997 Table Quality good to excellent when baked or grilled with lime juice and butter Notes: The Red Grouper is a large, stout fish closely related to the Nassau Grouper. They are solitary fish that can be found in any water from 10 to 300 feet deep, but they need holes and crevices to hide in. Rock walls, ledges and wrecks are good Red Grouper habitat. Red groupers are a favorite target of spearfishermen in many clear water areas and have been severely overharvested. They are strong fighters when hooked and quick action is needed to keep them from returning to their holes and cutting the line. Fishing Methods: still-fishing and drifting Bait: live fish, crabs, squid and cut baits Where: rock ledges and wrecks Tips: fish a small squid by bringing it up several feet then dropping it back to the bottom