Snowy groupers are a popular sport fish that can be found on the east coast of the U.S. from Virginia to Florida. The best method for catching them is bottom fishing, though drift fishing, saltwater jigging, and still fishing can also be effective. Look for these popular fish in both freshwater and brackish water.
Habitat: Ocean
How to identify Snowy Grouper
Snowy groupers have wide eyes and big mouths. Adults are an overall dark-brown color, while juveniles have white spots on their sides. The small juveniles may also have a dark saddle marking near the bottom of their tails, along with yellow pectoral and tail fins. The first dorsal fin in snowy groupers has spines and soft rays.
Where to catch Snowy Grouper
In the U.S., these fish can be found on the eastern seaboard from Virginia down to Florida. Some have been spotted north of Virginia near Massachusetts. These fish tend to stay offshore in waters with rocky bottoms that are from 30 to 1,300 feet deep, but typically at a depth of 300 to 700 feet. The younger fish may venture closer to the coast. The snowy grouper is mostly a saltwater fish, though it can also be found in freshwater and brackish water.
The following are habitats where you can catch Snowy Grouper:
How to catch Snowy Grouper
The snowy grouper is a popular sport fish. The best technique for catching them is bottom fishing with bottom rigs using bonito strips or squid for bait. Other methods that anglers use to catch them include drift fishing, saltwater jigging, and still fishing. Stick to waters that are 350-650 feet deep with rocky bottoms. Peak fishing season for snowy groupers is from May through August. Anglers troll, jig, and bait fish with live/dead bait to catch these fish. Bait doesn’t do as well as jigs because, with jigs, the bait doesn’t have to be continually replaced.
The following are effective fishing methods and techniques for catching Snowy Grouper:
Best Lures, Bait & Tackle to catch Snowy Grouper
The snowy grouper responds well to jigs and baits, such as whole squid or bonito stripes.
The following are fishing lures, bait and tackle that can be used to catch Snowy Grouper:
