Red grouper fishing out of Marco Island runs from spring through early winter, on ledges and structure over muddy and rocky bottom in 20 to 200 feet. Boats fish it by bottom fishing. For the port itself, see the Marco Island port page. For the wider coast, see the red grouper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide.
When red grouper are around Marco Island
Local charter listings put the best fishing from spring through early winter, so plan trips around that stretch. The window closes when the fish head offshore to spawn. Spawning timing and biology are covered in our red grouper species guide.
Where Marco Island boats run for red grouper
Depth determines how long the run is, and bottom type determines where you stop.
Depth range
Boats fish red grouper in 20 to 200 feet. About 20 ft is the shallow end of that range, and the deep end means a longer run, so choose your depth before you choose waypoints.
Bottom and structure
The grounds are ledges and structure over muddy and rocky bottom, which matches how the NOAA Fisheries red grouper profile and the FWC red grouper profile describe adult habitat.
Depth alone does not mark a ledge, so fishing here starts with reading the bottom on the sounder rather than relying on the depth number. Chart Contours in the app can give you a starting point for where ledges might sit. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How red grouper are fished here
Fish sit on ledges and structure, so the bait goes on the bottom.
Bottom fishing
Bottom fishing is the method used locally, worked on the ledges and structure described above. Our reef fish fishing guides give the general picture.
Who fishes for red grouper out of Marco Island
Three local charters list red grouper.
| Charter | Captain | Boat | Power | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marco Reel and Shore Charters | Capt. Seth Meunier | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Wild Thing Charters | Not listed | 30-ft Island Hopper, built 1990 | 370HP Yanmar | 6-passenger listing |
| Six Chuter Charters | Not listed | 25-ft Adventure Charter | 200HP | Up to 6 |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Six Chuter Charters appears as a listing on docklyne.com. The boat details above are the ones listed.
FAQ: red grouper fishing out of Marco Island
When is the best time for red grouper out of Marco Island?
Spring through early winter, before the fish head offshore to spawn.
How deep do Marco Island boats fish for red grouper?
Boats fish 20 to 200 feet. About 20 ft is the shallow end of that range.
What bottom holds red grouper here?
Ledges and structure over muddy and rocky bottom.
How are red grouper fished out of Marco Island?
By bottom fishing, worked on the ledges and structure.
Which Marco Island charters target red grouper?
Marco Reel and Shore Charters (Capt. Seth Meunier), Wild Thing Charters (30-ft Island Hopper) and Six Chuter Charters (25-ft Adventure Charter).
