Species guide · North Carolina
Red grouper fishing in North Carolina
Epinephelus morio, an offshore species also called reds and grouper. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Off season, about 25 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in Albemarle Sound at 35, one of 9 North Carolina bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Off seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
South Atlantic
Off season, about 25 more weeks- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Off season
- Apr: Off season
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Off season
- Dec: Off season
No peak months. In season (shoulder or peak): May to Oct.
Research notes, South Atlantic region
Present on Carolina and Georgia live bottom, but catch is mostly incidental to gag and snapper trips. Regulatory: closed Jan 1-Apr 30, and federal waters off NC and SC stay closed until June 1 (SAFMC).
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 9
North Carolina bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's red grouper score this hour.
Best window today 11 AM-12 AM (35) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 12 AM (35) · 21 named spots
Best window today 11 AM-12 AM (35) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 12 AM (35) · 26 named spots
Best window today 11 AM-12 AM (35) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 12 AM (35) · 7 named spots
Best window today 11 AM-12 AM (35) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 12 AM (35) · 1 named spot
Best window today 11 AM-12 AM (35) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 12 AM (35) · 49 named spots
Best window today 11 AM-12 AM (35) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 12 AM (35) · 75 named spots
Best window today 11 AM-12 AM (35) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 12 AM (35) · 260 named spots
Best window today 11 AM-12 AM (35) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 12 AM (35) · 134 named spots
Best window today 11 AM-12 AM (35) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 12 AM (35) · 331 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
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. Synced with NCDMF Nov 2, 2026.
No reviewed red grouper rule for North Carolina is on file yet. Check with NCDMF before you keep one.
Other North Carolina species
- Black sea bass
- Bluefish
- Florida pompano
- Gag grouper
- Little tunny
- Red drum
- Southern flounder
- Spotted seatrout
- Wahoo
- Weakfish
- Atlantic bluefin tuna
- Atlantic croaker
- Black drum
- Crevalle jack
- Greater amberjack
- King mackerel
- Red snapper
- Sailfish
- Sheepshead
- Spot
- Striped bass
- Summer flounder
- Yellowfin tuna
- Atlantic tarpon
- Cobia
- Gray snapper
- Gray triggerfish
- Mahi-mahi
- Spanish mackerel