Florida Keys • Western Atlantic
When do black grouper bite in the Florida Keys?
Black Grouper are open May through December, closed January to April, on the reef ledges and the deeper drop-offs, in 65-90 F water with the best bite between 72 and 86 F. These bands are drafted from published thermal preferences rather than measured in this water, and the daily FishIntel report says where that water sits this morning.
65–90°F
Best between 72–86°F.
Open May 1 – Dec. 31 in Atlantic state and federal waters, including all state waters of Monroe County, and CLOSED 1 January to 30 April. 24 in TL, and 1 gag or black within the 3-grouper aggregate bag limit (FWC, checked 2026-08-20). This is the only species on this list with a closed season, which is why it is last. Regulations change, so check the current FWC rules for the species you are targeting before treating a rating as a plan.
These bands are NOT yet calibrated against observed water for Western Atlantic. They come from published thermal preferences and general knowledge of the fishery. Treat them as a starting point and lean on the season as much as the number.
A band and a season tell you whether black grouper is on the cards this month. They do not tell you where the water is doing something today. A FishIntel report reads the actual sea surface temperature, chlorophyll fronts and current convergence over your own pinned coordinates every morning, and says which of those edges is worth running to.
FishIntel is built by Captain Kit Carson, a licensed charter captain running offshore out of Islamorada.