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Bank Sea Bass

Family Serranidae, Sea Basses and Groupers

Offshore in deep water with rocks and reefs

Size usually 0.3 lbs (8 in.)

Black Sea Bass

Family Serranidae, Sea Basses and Groupers

Structure-loving fish, associated with reefs and rubble Offshore; smaller specimens often found in Inshore finger channels

Size common to 1.5 lbs (13 in.)

Rock Sea Bass

Family Serranidae, Sea Basses and Groupers

Offshore; differs from other sea basses in that it is often found on sandy or muddy bottoms

Size rarely more than 10 in.

Black Grouper

Family Serranidae, Sea Basses and Groupers

Offshore species; adults associated with rocky bottoms, reef, and drop-off walls in water over 60 feet deep; young may occur Inshore in shallow water

Size common to 40 lbs., but may attain weights exceeding 100 lbs.

Gag

Family Serranidae, Sea Basses and Groupers

Adults Offshore over rocks and reefs; juveniles occur in seagrass beds Inshore.

Size common to 25 lbs.

Jewfish

Family Serranidae, Sea Basses and Groupers

Nearshore around docks, in deep holes, and on ledges; young often occur in estuaries, especially around oyster bars; more abundant in southern Florida than in northern waters.

Size largest of the Groupers, up to 800 lbs.

Nassau Grouper

Family Serranidae, Sea Basses and Groupers

Range limited to south Florida; somewhat site specific; smaller individuals Nearshore, adults Offshore on rocky reefs.

Size most catches under 10 lbs.

Red Grouper

Family Serranidae, Sea Basses and Groupers

Bottom dwelling fish associated with hard bottm; juveniles Offshore along with adults greater than 6 years old; fish from 1 to 6 years old occupy Nearshore reefs.

Size common to 15 lbs.

Scamp

Family Serranidae, Sea Basses and Groupers

Nearshore reefs off the northeastern coast, and on Offshore reefs in the Gulf.

Size is generally smaller than gags or blacks.

Yellowfin Grouper

Family Serranidae, Sea Basses and Groupers

Offshore on reefs off southern portions of Florida.

Size common to 20 lbs.

Yellowmouth Grouper

Family Serranidae, Sea Basses and Groupers

Offshore over reefs and rocks; not as common as scamp in the Gulf; range limited to southern Florida.

Size common to 15 lbs.

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