Species › Mediterranean › Dusky Grouper

Saltwater

Dusky Grouper

Epinephelus marginatus · Mediterranean grouper, Mérou, Mero

Water temp
61–75°F
Peak season
May–Sep
Best light
Daytime
IGFA record
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Dusky Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus - Palmitos Park.jpg)

Photo: H. Zell · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

OverviewWhere & WhenHow to CatchGearRegulationsRecordsForecastCatches

Overview

Dusky grouper are stout, big-headed fish with a brown to greenish body marked with pale blotches, a broad tail and a large mouth; large fish darken to near-black. They range the Mediterranean, the eastern Atlantic from Portugal to South Africa and the coasts of Brazil and Argentina, living in rocky holes, caves and drop-offs from the shallows to 650 ft (200 m). Grouper ambush octopus, crabs and fish, feeding by day near their hole, and they are slow-growing, long-lived and change sex from female to male. Heavy spearfishing nearly wiped them out in parts of the Mediterranean, so they are now protected in France, Spain and many marine reserves, but where fishing is permitted a 40 lb+ (18 kg+) grouper is the ultimate bottom-fishing trophy.

Typical size5–20 lb (2–9 kg); 20–36 in
Trophy50 lb+ (23 kg+)
Table fareExcellent — firm white flesh; but protected in much of the Mediterranean, so release unless clearly legal

Where & when

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Fish are shallowest and most active from late spring to autumn when water exceeds 65°F (18°C); summer spawning aggregations are protected in many areas, and winter fish move deeper.

Medes Islands, SpainMarine reserve; famous grouper population (no fishing)Lampedusa, ItalyDeep rocky walls; grouper fishing where permittedMadeira, PortugalAtlantic volcanic reefs with large grouper

How to catch

Heavy bottom fishing with live or whole baitAnchor beside a drop-off or cave mouth and lower a live fish, whole squid or small octopus on an 8/0 circle hook with enough lead to hold just off the rocks. Strike hard and keep winding; a grouper that reaches its hole flares its gills and locks in.
Vertical jigging with big soft plasticsWork a 150–250 g jig or a heavy jighead with a large shad slowly up and down within 10 ft (3 m) of rocky bottom. Takes are heavy and immediate, and the fight is a straight lift against a fish bulldozing for cover.

Gear

Rod6'–6'6" 30–50 lb class boat rod
Reel6000–8000 spinning or 30 lb class lever-drag
Line50–65 lb braid; 80–100 lb fluorocarbon leader

Lures

Heavy slow-pitch jigLarge soft-plastic shadInchiku jig

Baits

Live small fishWhole squidSmall octopusCuttlefish

Regulations

Dusky grouper are protected from recreational fishing in France and parts of Spain and Italy, and in all Mediterranean marine reserves, with minimum sizes and bag limits where fishing is allowed; rules differ sharply by country and region, so verify before targeting them.

Records

IGFA all-tackle world record: not listed. State and regional records are kept by each fish & wildlife agency.

Frequently asked

Is it legal to fish for dusky grouper in the Mediterranean?

It depends on the country. France has a long-running moratorium on taking dusky grouper by spearfishing and hook-and-line, Spain protects them in several regions and all marine reserves ban it, while parts of Italy, Greece and Croatia allow retention above a minimum size. Always check current national and regional rules, and release fish where there is any doubt.

Bite forecast — Dusky Grouper

Recent catches

Posted by anglers on the live map, filtered to Dusky Grouper.

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