When gag grouper are around Carrabelle
Local captains point to fall and winter as the strongest stretch for gag grouper fishing out of Carrabelle, though April and September also show up on local calendars. The sources differ on timing, and we do not try to reconcile them. General biology and behavior are in our gag grouper guide. The rest of this page helps you decide where to drop, measured from one fixed point. Region-wide coverage is in the wider Gulf of Mexico guide.
| Window | Who names it |
|---|---|
| Fall and winter | Drop Zone and Unchained |
| April | Fishanywhere calendar |
| September | Anchors Aweigh trip |
Fall and winter
Drop Zone and Unchained call fall and winter the best stretch, so a single trip planned around local opinion belongs here.
April
Fishanywhere’s calendar names April as a top month.
September trips
Anchors Aweigh advertises a September gag trip, the only September signal in the local sources.
How far boats run from Carrabelle
The listed structure runs from 5.5 nm to 28.9 nm from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy, in 39 to 105 ft of water. Every distance and bearing on this page is measured from Red 10.
The bottom is rocky, with reefs, ledges and wrecks offshore. Fishanywhere calls Carrabelle a grouper haven because of that structure. Check the official marine forecast before any run.
Inside 12 nm
- Carrabelle 3 Mile (FR0018) sits in 39 ft, 5.5 nm at 107.2° from Red 10. It is one of several Carrabelle 3 Mile sites.
- Robby’s Reef (FR0039) sits in 52 ft, 11.6 nm at 127.7° from Red 10.
These are the closest listed sites and the shallowest, at 39 to 52 ft.
14 to 18 nm
- Carrabelle Reef Culverts (FR0012) sits in 70 ft, 14.5 nm at 169.5° from Red 10.
- O-Tower Barge / Carrabelle Reef Barge (FR0013) sits in 74 ft, 15.0 nm at 169.0° from Red 10.
- Carrabelle/Rotary (FR0011) sits 15.6 nm at 176.7° from Red 10.
- K Tower (FR0007) sits in 60 ft, 17.2 nm at 113.8° from Red 10.
The Culverts, the Barge and Rotary all lie on bearings between 169° and 177°.
Near 29 nm
S Tower (FR0005) sits in 105 ft, 28.9 nm at 173.3° from Red 10. It is the deepest and farthest listed site.
Grounds and structure that hold gag
The Carrabelle artificial reefs and towers below are the named structure for gag grouper fishing out of Carrabelle. Rows run by distance from Red 10.
| Site | AARA number | Depth (ft) | nm from Red 10 | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrabelle 3 Mile | FR0018 | 39 | 5.5 | 107.2° |
| Robby’s Reef | FR0039 | 52 | 11.6 | 127.7° |
| Carrabelle Reef Culverts | FR0012 | 70 | 14.5 | 169.5° |
| O-Tower Barge / Carrabelle Reef Barge | FR0013 | 74 | 15.0 | 169.0° |
| Carrabelle/Rotary | FR0011 | 15.6 | 176.7° | |
| K Tower | FR0007 | 60 | 17.2 | 113.8° |
| S Tower | FR0005 | 105 | 28.9 | 173.3° |
| CCA Dr. Bart Carey Reef (Carrabelle 10 Mile Reef System) | 50 |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Robby’s Reef is a 2016 addition. Four listed sites fall inside the 60 to 250 ft band Drop Zone lists: K Tower (60 ft), the Culverts (70 ft), the Barge (74 ft) and S Tower (105 ft).
Use these bearings and distances as a starting point on a chart. Chart layers are not for navigation. For the approach through East Pass, read the NOAA U.S. Coast Pilot 5 and the official marine forecast.
How gag are fished out of Carrabelle
Locals drop live pinfish, mullet or cut bait to the bottom, then reel fast and pull hard to keep the fish off structure. Tackle and rigging are covered in our reef fish guides.
Live and cut bait
Drop Zone and Unchained use live pinfish or mullet, or cut bait, dropped to the bottom.
Pulling fish off structure
A hooked gag heads for the structure, so you reel fast and pull hard to keep it out. Drop Zone and Unchained both describe the method this way.
Jigs
Unchained also fishes jigs, so grouper jigging is part of the local mix.
Depths fished
Drop Zone lists 60 to 250 ft of water. K Tower, the Culverts, the Barge and S Tower sit inside that band.
Who fishes for gag out of Carrabelle
Five local operators list gag grouper. Their boats run from 20 to 31 ft. Each entry below gives the boat as the operator lists it.
Drop Zone Fishing
Drop Zone Fishing out of Carrabelle runs a 31 ft Bluewater with twin 300 hp Suzuki engines.
Anchors Aweigh Fishing Charters & More
Anchors Aweigh Fishing Charters runs a 25 ft Sea Fox center console with a 300 hp Yamaha.
Unchained Charters
Unchained runs a 24 ft Pro-Line center console, up to 6 guests.
Renegade Charters
Renegade Charters full-day trip is a Carrabelle grouper charter on a 20 ft motorboat, up to 6 passengers.
Captain Del Betit
Captain Del Betit lists gag grouper.
FAQ: gag grouper fishing out of Carrabelle
When is the best time for gag grouper out of Carrabelle?
Drop Zone and Unchained say fall and winter. Fishanywhere names April as a top month, and Anchors Aweigh runs a September trip.
What is the closest reef that holds gag?
Carrabelle 3 Mile (FR0018) is the closest listed site: 39 ft, 5.5 nm at 107.2° from Red 10. Robby’s Reef is next at 11.6 nm.
What depth do locals fish for gag?
Drop Zone lists 60 to 250 ft. K Tower (60 ft), the Culverts (70 ft), the Barge (74 ft) and S Tower (105 ft) fall inside that band.
What bait works for gag off Carrabelle?
Drop Zone and Unchained use live pinfish or mullet, or cut bait, on the bottom. Unchained also uses jigs. Then reel fast to keep the fish off structure.
Do Carrabelle charters target gag?
Yes. Drop Zone, Anchors Aweigh, Unchained, Renegade and Captain Del Betit list gag grouper. Their boats run from 20 to 31 ft.
Where are the rules for gag?
FWC’s rules are on the state regulations page. Check them before fishing. Federal waters can differ.
