Species guide · Alabama
Red grouper fishing in Alabama
Epinephelus morio, an offshore species also called reds and grouper. Listed for the Eastern Gulf region. Shoulder season, about 27 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in South Mobile Bay at 58, one of 4 Alabama bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Shoulder seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Eastern Gulf
Shoulder season, about 27 more weeks- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Shoulder season
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Peak season
- May: Peak season
- Jun: Peak season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Shoulder season
Peak: Apr to Jul. In season (shoulder or peak): all year.
Research notes, Eastern Gulf region
The West Florida Shelf is the center of the US fishery. GSMFC reports adults more abundant in the summer fishery and moving offshore in winter; spawning is April-May in Florida at 65-330 ft. Regulatory: Gulf federal waters beyond 20 fathoms close to shallow-water grouper Feb-Mar; the red grouper season was open year-round in 2026.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 4
Alabama bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's red grouper score this hour.
Best window today 7-10 PM (59) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (62) · 21 named spots
Best window today 7-9 PM (60) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (62) · 53 named spots
Best window today 9 AM-9 PM (58) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (60) · 20 named spots
Best window today 9 AM-6 PM (56) · Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 5 PM (59) · 33 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 59°F to 86°F, best between 66°F and 77°F.
- Water depth
- 30 to 300 ft of water.
- Structure
- Reef, ledge, bank and wreck, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers moving water, with light current.No published tide effect. Light current keeps baits on the bottom over small patches of hard bottom and helps when drifting to find fish.
- Light
- Little tied to dawn and dusk.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 20 kt of wind and 5 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Red grouper live on low limestone ledges and potholed live bottom across the West Florida Shelf, mostly in 60 to 250 feet. Drift to find hard bottom, then anchor and fish live pinfish, grunts or squid on the bottom with stout conventional tackle. Reel hard right after the bite, because they dive into holes, and use a descending device on fish released from deep water.
- Methods
- bottom fishing, drifting, anchoring over hard bottom
- Lures
- bucktail jigs tipped with squid
- Bait
- live pinfish, grunts, squid, octopus, cut bait, shrimp
Regulations
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division. Synced with ADCNR Marine Resources Sep 19, 2026.
No reviewed red grouper rule for Alabama is on file yet. Check with ADCNR Marine Resources before you keep one.