Scamp Grouper

Category: Offshore

Trip Type: Offshore

Scamp grouper are a prized and somewhat elusive Gulf reef fish, renowned among chefs and anglers alike as one of the finest eating fish in the entire Gulf of Mexico.

Appearance

Scamp grouper are medium-sized grouper with a brownish to tan body covered in small, closely spaced dark brown spots arranged in loose clusters or rows. Unlike gag or red grouper, scamp have a distinctive tail with elongated filaments extending from the upper and lower lobes in larger fish, giving them a unique appearance among Gulf grouper species. Their body shape is somewhat slimmer than other grouper, and their coloration tends to be warmer and more uniform.

Habitat

Scamp grouper are found around rocky reefs, ledges, hard bottom, and live bottom areas throughout the Gulf of Mexico, typically in depths ranging from 60 to 300 feet. They tend to prefer harder, more complex bottom structure than red grouper and are often found in areas with significant relief. Scamp are less abundant than gag or red grouper but are highly concentrated around productive offshore reef systems.

Average Size

Most scamp grouper caught in Louisiana waters weigh between 3 and 12 pounds, with fish over 15 pounds considered exceptional. They are generally smaller than gag grouper but more than compensate with their outstanding flavor.

Best Time to Catch

Scamp grouper can be caught year-round on productive offshore structure when seasons are open. They are most reliably encountered on deeper hard bottom and live reef areas where experienced captains know to find them.

Fishing Tips

Live bait, fresh cut bait, and deep jigs are all effective for scamp grouper. Focus on hard bottom, rocky ledges, and live reef areas in 80 to 250 feet of water. Scamp often hold slightly above the bottom compared to other grouper and may respond well to a bait or jig worked a few feet off the structure. As with all grouper, reel hard immediately after the hookup to prevent the fish from reaching cover.

Louisiana State Record

28.75 pounds — caught by Donnie Melerine in 2001. Louisiana's state-record scamp grouper is a trophy-class fish that represents a remarkable catch on any offshore trip.

Fun Fact

Scamp grouper, like many grouper species, are protogynous hermaphrodites — they are born female and some individuals transition to male as they grow larger and older. The distinctive tail filaments seen on larger fish are more prominent in males.