GROUPER, GOLIATH

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GROUPER, GOLIATH

Scientific Name: 
Epinephelus itajara
Salt/Fresh: 
Salt
Also Known As: 
Goliath Grouper; Spotted Jewfish; Southern Jewfish; Junefish; Florida Jewfish; Jewfish; GROUPER, GOLIATH; Blackbass; Esonue Grouper; Giant Seabass; Hamlet; Badejo; Camapu; Cernia Gigante; Cherna; Garoupa; Gran Morgoe; Guasa; Hata; Havabbor; Havsabborre; Itajara Zmienna; Judefisk; Mero Guasa; Merou; Orfoz; Raitameriahven; Rophós; Sciarrano; Tipa; Vartari; Zackenbarsch
Rating: 
Countries: 
Other Countries
United States
Description: 

The Goliath Grouper is a large saltwater fish of the grouper family found primarily in shallow tropical waters among coral and artificial reefs at depths from 5 to 50 m (16 to 164 ft). Goliath Grouper may live in brackish estuaries, oyster beds, canals, and mangrove swamps, which is unusual behavior among groupers. They may reach extremely large sizes, growing to lengths of up to 4.87 m (16 ft) and can weigh as much as 360 kg (790 lb). The world record for a hook and line-captured specimen is 309 kg (681 lb), caught off Fernandina Beach, Florida, in 1961. They are usually around 180 kg (400 lb) when mature.

How To Identify: 

The Goliath Grouper is generally brownish yellow, gray, or olive with small dark spots on head, body, and fins. Large adults are somber-colored. The body is robust and elongate; its widest point is more than half its total length. The head is broad with small eyes. The dorsal fins are continuous with the rays of the soft dorsal longer than the spines of the first dorsal fin. The membranes between the dorsal fin elements are notched. Pectoral fins are rounded and noticeably larger than the pelvic fins. Bases of the soft dorsal and anal fins are covered with scales and thick skin. The caudal fin is rounded.

How To Catch: 

Goliath Grouper are targeted with some of the heaviest, most durable tackle available today. 150-500lb(68-226kg) test is required depending on the particular location. If you have not caught a Goliath Grouper before, this will be an entirely new fishing experience. Large Goliath Grouper are almost exclusively caught on live or dead bait.  The key to successful Goliath Grouper fishing is anchoring close enough to the reef or wreck so that they will come out to eat your bait, but far enough away that you have a chance of pulling them away before they get back and break you off. These fish can be caught with live bait such as, Crevalle Jacks, Ladyfish, Catfish, Mullet, Stingrays or a number of other things. You need a large reel capable of 90lbs of drag and loaded with 400lb(181kg) monofilament if you want to consistently land the big ones.  You can land some with lesser tackle but you will break a lot off and that is not good for you or the fish.

Where Found: 

International

The Goliath Grouper occurs in the western Atlantic Ocean from Florida south to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. It is also found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Senegal to Congo although rare in the Canary Islands. The species is also present in the eastern Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California to Peru.

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