It must be springtime in Florida because grouper season has officially started! Red, black, yellowfin, yellowmouth, rock hind, red hind, and scamp Gulf of Mexico grouper species can now be harvested in Florida waters (as of April 1st) in the following Southwest Florida counties: Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson, and Taylor, including all waters of the Steinhatchee River, Apalachicola Bay, and Indian Pass. This year’s grouper season will remain open through June 30, 2013 with the first day of closure being July 1st.

Grouper are common around almost any kind of bottom structure and around Southern Florida, they inhabit the tropical coral reefs. Although the fish’s name implies otherwise, grouper can be a very solitary fish, preferring to seek shelter and hide.

There’s a lot more to grouper fishing than simply dropping a bait to the bottom of the water and letting it lie there until a fish finds it. Grouper will chase a bait occasionally, but their preference is to ambush their prey. This tendency to ambush makes them relatively simply to hook, but challenging to land.

One of the most useful tools for grouper fishing is the boat hook. Boat hooks can extend your personal reaching capabilities so that as you bring in a grouper, you don't have to lean over the boat with the potential of falling into the water. Also, boat hooks can help you easily retrieve fishing lines, buoys, or other marine equipment from out in the water.

Whether red, black, yellowfin, rock hind, or red hind, a good grouper in the ice chest means a successful day of fishing. Acquah’s Enterprise supplies some of the highest quality boat hooks available on the market today to help you be successful in your grouper fishing endeavors. Order a boat hook from Acquah’s Enterprise today by calling us at 866-538-9866 or order online for your convenience.