436 pounds, 12 ounces.
The Florida state and all-tackle world record for Warsaw grouper stands at 436 pounds, 12 ounces. That fish was reeled in off Destin in the Gulf of Mexico in December 1985.
What is the largest grouper on record?
680-pound goliath grouper
The heaviest grouper ever caught and certified as an IGFA world record was this 680-pound goliath grouper caught on May 20, 1961, off Fernandina Beach, Florida, using a Spanish mackerel as fishing bait. This particular species of grouper is considered endangered today and protected in the United States and Caribbean.
What is the biggest grouper in the ocean?
Goliath grouper
Goliath grouper, which were once known as jewfish, can grow to more than eight feet in length and 800 pounds. From July through September, goliath groupers converge at special locations to spawn. As a group, they release milt (or sperm) and eggs into ocean currents to create the next generation of goliaths.
Are Warsaw and goliath grouper the same?
Warsaw Grouper
Warsaw Groupers are another giant fish. While Goliaths can be found in shallower water, Warsaw Groupers are deep ocean fish. They can grow to seven feet and weigh around 600 pounds.
How deep do Warsaw groupers live?
Habitat. Rocky bottoms in water over 200 feet deep. Juveniles found inshore.
How old is a 300 lb grouper?
A 350-pound grouper caught off the coast of Florida is believed to be 50 years old, making it the oldest fish caught in the state’s wildlife research program, officials said.
How old is a 600 pound grouper?
Biologists with the FWC Research Institute estimate the fish is 50 years old. Warsaw groupers can grow to nearly eight feet long and can weigh up to nearly 600 pounds. The largest ever caught in Florida weighed nearly 440 pounds.
Has a goliath grouper ever attacked a human?
For example, The New York Times reported in 1895 that a fisherman caught a 1,500-pound Goliath grouper in the Gulf of Mexico. In the 1950s, two children jumped off a bridge in the Florida Keys but only one came up; the other child was said to have been eaten by a Goliath grouper.
What eats a giant grouper?
Predators of groupers include large fish such as barracuda, king mackerel and moray eels, as well as other groupers. The sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) and the great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran) are also known to feed on groupers.
Is a warsaw grouper good to eat?
Warsaw Groupers are the second largest in the grouper family coming in behind the Goliath Grouper. The smaller Warsaw Grouper is considered a good tasting fish. the larger ones may carry worms and possibly Ciguatera poisoning.
What is the best tasting grouper?
Meanwhile, the scamp grouper is considered to be the best-tasting among all groupers. It is not as popular as the red grouper, but it is prized for its taste and known to be one of the most esteemed fish found in the Gulf. This fish matures at about 2 years and can live up to 31 years.
Is it illegal to keep warsaw grouper?
Season is currently closed. Notes: Harvest and possession is prohibited in federal waters. If caught, the fish must be released by cutting the line and the fish may not be removed from the water.
How many spikes does a warsaw grouper have?
They are the only grouper with 10 dorsal spines. They are dark reddish brown or brownish grey to almost black in color dorsally, dull reddish grey below.
Where can I find warsaw grouper?
Usually found over rough, rocky bottoms, deep rocky ledges, and dropoffs, warsaw grouper prefer depths of 300 to 1,000 feet. Young warsaw grouper are occasionally seen or caught near jetties and shallow-water reefs.
How big is a goliath grouper?
8 feet
Goliath grouper is the largest of the Atlantic groupers. This giant can reach 800 pounds (455 kg) and over 8 feet (2 meters) in length. The Florida record is a 680-pound goliath grouper caught off Fernandina Beach in 1961.
Do people eat giant grouper?
Is goliath grouper good to eat? Goliath grouper can be found on menus in other countries, such as Cuba, according to fishmasters.com. The older they get, the tougher the meat becomes. However, goliath grouper muscles are believed to have a high concentration of methylmercury, which poses a serious human health risk.
How long can a grouper fish live?
The maximum known age is 37 years and scientists think they may live to 50 or even 100 years. There are several other reasons why goliath grouper are vulnerable. They are relatively slow growing and take five to seven years to reach sexual maturity.
Is grouper high in mercury?
There are some fish that are very high and mercury and should be avoided altogether, particularly bluefish and grouper, according to the NRDC.
What is the biggest fish ever caught?
The largest fish ever caught which is verified and listed by the IGFA is a 2,664lb (1,208kg) great white shark. It was caught by Australian angler Alfred Dean in April 1959 off the coast of Ceduna, in South Australia.
How much does a goliath grouper cost?
for goliath grouper prices can range anywhere from $200 to $3,000 and up, but the average price for a half day for goliath grouper is $787.
How much does a goliath grouper sell for?
A 20-36-inch goliath grouper probably weighs 12-25 pounds, meaning an angler would be in for about $40 per pound to harvest one.