Warsaw groupers are huge fish that live along the coastlines of the U.S. from Florida to North Carolina. They can be caught by bottom bouncing, bottom fishing, drift fishing and still fishing. When targeting these fish, bait works best, especially squid and whole or cut fish.
How to identify Warsaw Grouper
Warsaw grouper is the second largest of the grouper family. Adult grouper range in color from dark reddish-brown color to black along its back and side, and a light dull red to gray along its underbelly. Their coloring is ligher along the nape. Juveniles have light colored spots across the body with a yellowish tail fin. Adult grouper have a uniform color without distinctive markings.
Warsaw grouper can be distinguised from other grouper species by their elongated second dorsal fin spine that is substantially taller than the first and third dorsal spines. They have a total of 10 dorsal spines, as well as a square caudal (tail) fin.
Adult warsaw grouper can reach 6 feet and 300 pounds
Identifying characteristics:
- Dark reddish-brown to gray back
- 10 dorsal spines
- Second dorsal fin spine very high
- Uniform coloring across body
- Square caudal fin
- Dull red to gray underbelly
Where to catch Warsaw Grouper
Warsaw groupers fare found from the northern coastlines of South America up to the Gulf of Mexico. They also inhabit the waters from southern Florida, up to North Carolina, and the Caribbean. They prefer bottoms with drop-offs, channels, valleys, and breaks in the continental shelf at depths of 350 to 650 feet.
The following are habitats where you can catch Warsaw Grouper:
How to catch Warsaw Grouper
Anglers enjoy targeting the Warsaw grouper because it is both big and will put up a fight. The best methods for catching these huge fish are drift or still fishing with bottom rigs that are weighted with about five pounds and baited with cut bait. Since Warsaw groupers gobble bait whole, anglers are advised to bridle their bait.
The following are effective fishing methods and techniques for catching Warsaw Grouper:
Best Lures, Bait & Tackle to catch Warsaw Grouper
Baits work best for catching Warsaw groupers. Some good options to try are bonito, squid, whole or cut fish using a bottom rig.
The following are fishing lures, bait and tackle that can be used to catch Warsaw Grouper:
