Species guide · Mississippi

Red grouper fishing in Mississippi

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 Mississippi Sound at 50.

Season now

Shoulder season

Where it's scoring now All Mississippi waters

Season 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 · 1

Mississippi bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's red grouper score this hour.

50Good

Mississippi Sound

Best window today 6-9 PM (60) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (61) · 81 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

MDMR saltwater regulations Buy a Mississippi fishing license License types

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. Synced with MDMR Sep 18, 2026.

No reviewed red grouper rule for Mississippi is on file yet. Check with MDMR before you keep one.