Red grouper fishing out of Carrabelle runs over rocky and reef bottom offshore, from 39 ft at 5.5 nm to 105 ft at 28.9 nm. Every distance and bearing on this page is measured from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy. This guide covers when the fish are around, which named grounds fall inside a given run, how local captains fish them, and who runs trips. It can’t promise fish, but it should help you decide where to look. The wider picture is in the red grouper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide.
When red grouper are around Carrabelle
Local charters fish red grouper year-round except during the January to April spawning closure, as Unchained Charters and Renegade Charters list it. The official closure dates come from the agency; the Regulations section below points you to them.
General biology and range for red grouper are covered in the species guide. This page stays local.
| Window | Status at this port |
|---|---|
| January to April | Spawning closure |
| May to December | Fished year-round by local charters |
Where boats run
Boats leaving Carrabelle run to rocky and reef bottom offshore. The sites below carry AARA reef IDs where one is listed, and all distances and bearings come from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy. The nearest listed site is 5.5 nm out and the farthest is 28.9 nm, so you can match the ground to your boat’s range and fuel load.
Listed positions and chart layers are not for navigation; plot from official charts.
| Site | AARA ID | 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.
Dog Island Reef
Dog Island Reef is listed among red grouper spots, 4 miles from Dog Island. It is separate from the AARA sites above, which are all measured from Red 10.
Inside 12 nm
Three grounds make up the shortest runs on the list, and they suit a 20 ft boat best:
- Carrabelle 3 Mile: 39 ft, 5.5 nm at 107.2, FR0018. It is one of several Carrabelle 3 Mile sites.
- Robby’s Reef: 52 ft, 11.6 nm at 127.7, FR0039. This 2016 addition is the next step out.
- CCA Dr. Bart Carey Reef: 50 ft, part of the Carrabelle 10 Mile Reef System.
14 to 18 nm
A single run covers three sites here. The Culverts (70 ft) and the O-Tower Barge (74 ft) sit 14.5 and 15.0 nm out on nearly the same bearing, 169.5 and 169.0. Carrabelle/Rotary is at 15.6 nm on 176.7, close to that same line. K Tower, at 60 ft and 17.2 nm, lies on a different line at 113.8.
S Tower
S Tower, FR0005, is 105 ft at 28.9 nm on 173.3. It is the deepest and farthest site listed, and the longest run on the list at nearly twice the K Tower distance.
How red grouper are fished here
General bottom-fishing technique is in our reef fish guides. What follows is what local captains use.
Tackle
Unchained Charters fishes heavy tackle for red grouper.
Bait
Two local approaches show up:
- Unchained Charters: live pinfish or squid.
- Renegade Charters: fresh cut crab or shrimp on a circle hook.
Who fishes red grouper out of Carrabelle
These local charters list red grouper. If you want a Carrabelle grouper charter to learn the grounds before running your own boat, start here:
- Drop Zone Fishing: 31 ft Bluewater with twin 300 hp Suzuki engines. See Drop Zone Fishing charters. Captain Del Betit runs it.
- Anchors Aweigh Fishing Charters & More: 25 ft Sea Fox center console with 300 hp Yamaha. See Anchors Aweigh Fishing Charters.
- Gritwater Outfitters USA: 22 ft Twin Vee and 22 ft Baycat. See the Gritwater Outfitters USA site. Captain Terry Martin is listed for red grouper.
- Unchained Charters: 24 ft Pro-Line center console, up to six guests.
- Renegade Charters: 20 ft motorboat, up to 6 passengers. See the Renegade Charters trip page.
FAQ about red grouper fishing out of Carrabelle
When can you fish red grouper out of Carrabelle?
Local charters fish red grouper year-round except during the January to April spawning closure. The state regulations page sets the official dates.
How far do you run?
Listed sites run 5.5 nm to 28.9 nm from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy, in 39 ft to 105 ft of water.
What is the closest reef?
Carrabelle 3 Mile, FR0018, at 39 ft, 5.5 nm on 107.2 from Red 10.
What bait works?
Unchained uses live pinfish or squid on heavy tackle. Renegade suggests fresh cut crab or shrimp on a circle hook.
Who runs red grouper charters?
Drop Zone Fishing, Anchors Aweigh, Gritwater Outfitters USA, Unchained Charters and Renegade Charters list red grouper. Captain Del Betit and Captain Terry Martin are also named for it.
