When red grouper are around
Red grouper fishing out of Pompano Beach is structure fishing: wrecks, ledges and rock piles off Hillsboro Inlet, from the 1-3 mile reef line out to the drop-off. RingMaster describes the season as "season dependent," and none of the local sources we use gives a month window. Season, size and bag rules are on the state regulations page, covered in the Regulations section below. For the wider coast, see the red grouper fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the wider Atlantic Southeast guide.
Our red grouper fishing guide covers species and timing in general, so this page sticks to this port. What follows is a working list of named structure, with depths and map grids where they exist, to help you decide where to look.
Where boats run from Hillsboro Inlet
Boats fishing red grouper off Pompano Beach run out Hillsboro Inlet to two zones. The first is the wrecks, ledges and rock piles on the 1-3 mile reef trips. The second is the deeper reefs and wrecks along the drop-off east of the inlet. Lady Luck sits about 1 mile SE of the inlet in 126 ft.
Most trips work outward: start on the reef line close to the beach, then move east toward deeper water at the drop-off. Inlet, port and conditions detail is on the Pompano Beach port page.
| Zone | Structure | Who fishes it |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 mile reef trips | Wrecks, ledges, rock piles | Captain Sunshine |
| Drop-off east of Hillsboro Inlet | Deeper reefs and wrecks | Don’t Panic |
The 1-3 mile reef trips
Captain Sunshine runs 1-3 mile reef trips over wrecks, ledges and rock piles. This is the red grouper structure closest to the inlet. The Captain Sunshine page shows a red grouper caught off Pompano Beach.
The drop-off east of Hillsboro Inlet
Don’t Panic fishes deeper reefs and wrecks along the drop-off east of Hillsboro Inlet. The Pompano Drop Off and Sailfish Alley / the Edge, covered in the next section, mark this deeper water.
Grounds and structure that hold them
The sites below are grouped by type, with depth, location and map grid where they exist. Grid references come from the Pompano Beach visitor dive map, and several named sites appear on that map as dive sites. Chart layers are not for navigation. Use the grid references to find each site, then confirm position and depth on your own sounder and chart.
Shipwreck Park: Lady Luck and Okinawa
Both wrecks sit in Shipwreck Park, map grid K-7.
| Site | Depth | Location | Grid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Okinawa | 70 ft | Shipwreck Park | K-7 |
| Lady Luck | 126 ft | About 1 mile SE of Hillsboro Inlet | K-7 |
Pompano Drop Off and the Edge
Both mark the shelf drop-off east of Hillsboro Inlet:
- Pompano Drop Off: map grid K-8 on the Pompano Beach visitor dive map
- Sailfish Alley / the Edge: shelf drop-off
Named ledges and reefs
These ledge and reef sites are named on local maps:
- Pompano Trench
- Lost Ledge
- Suzzane’s Ledge
- Pompano 3rd Reef Ridge
- Steve’s Twin Ledges
- Shark Reef
- Touchdown Reef
- Grouper Bend
- Nursery
Named wrecks
These wrecks are named on local maps:
- Sucre
- Miller Lite
- Mariner II Tug
- Union Express
- Mary St. Philip
- Rodeo 25
- Quallman Tugs
- RSB-1
- RBJ
- Chris Corey
- Renegade
- Lowrance
- Captain Dan
- Guy Harvey
- SS Copenhagen
- Caicos Express
Hillsboro Ledge, Lighthouse Ledge and Horseshoe Reef
All three are listed as Pompano Beach dive sites. As with the rest of the list, confirm position and depth on your own sounder and chart before fishing them.
How red grouper are fished locally
Local boats fish red grouper tight to structure with live bait, large cut bait and heavy jigs. The methods below come from two local operators.
Live bait and heavy jigs
RingMaster’s live bait approach uses live baits and heavy jigs on wrecks and rock piles, with heavier tackle. The heavier gear suits fishing tight to structure, where a hooked fish heads for cover.
Live and large cut bait into structure
Don’t Panic drops live and large cut baits into structure along the drop-off east of Hillsboro Inlet.
For the broader technique and regional picture, see our reef fish guides.
Who fishes for them out of Pompano Beach
Captain Sunshine Fishing Charters, run by Captains Jade and Zoli, lists red grouper. The operation runs 1-3 mile reef trips over wrecks, ledges and rock piles, and its page shows a red grouper caught off Pompano Beach.
RingMaster works live baits and heavy jigs on wrecks and rock piles. Don’t Panic works live and large cut baits along the drop-off. Watching how these operators fish is a practical way to see red grouper fishing out of Pompano Beach before you run the grounds on your own boat.
| Operator | Where | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Captain Sunshine | 1-3 mile reef trips | Bottom fishing over wrecks, ledges, rock piles |
| RingMaster | Wrecks and rock piles | Live baits, heavy jigs, heavier tackle |
| Don’t Panic | Drop-off east of Hillsboro Inlet | Live and large cut baits into structure |
FAQ about red grouper fishing out of Pompano Beach
When is red grouper season off Pompano Beach?
RingMaster calls it "season dependent." Check the Florida regulations page before you fish for the current season, size and bag rules.
How far do boats run from Hillsboro Inlet for red grouper?
The 1-3 mile reef trips cover wrecks, ledges and rock piles. Deeper reefs and wrecks lie along the drop-off east of Hillsboro Inlet.
How deep is the Lady Luck wreck?
Lady Luck sits in 126 ft, about 1 mile SE of Hillsboro Inlet, in grid K-7 on the visitor dive map. Okinawa, also in K-7, sits in 70 ft.
What baits do local boats use for red grouper?
RingMaster uses live baits and heavy jigs with heavier tackle. Don’t Panic drops live and large cut baits into structure.
Which named wrecks are off Pompano Beach?
Examples include SS Copenhagen, Caicos Express, Miller Lite, Guy Harvey and Rodeo 25. The full list is in the grounds section. Confirm positions on your own chart.
Which charter lists red grouper out of Pompano Beach?
Captain Sunshine Fishing Charters, run by Captains Jade and Zoli.
