The fishing world often celebrates monumental catches, and among the most legendary species sought by anglers is the goliath grouper. This immense fish, known for its formidable size and impressive power, has long captivated those who pursue the ocean’s giants. Its sheer scale contributes to the enduring fascination with record-setting achievements in angling.
The Record-Setting Catch
The largest goliath grouper ever officially recorded was a 680-pound specimen caught off Fernandina Beach, Florida, on May 20, 1961. Angler Lynn Joyner battled it for over an hour before successfully landing it. This fish measured seven feet in length.
This capture was certified by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) as an all-tackle world record. The record remains unbroken, partly due to the goliath grouper’s protected status and the evolution of conservation practices.
About Goliath Groupers
Goliath groupers, scientifically known as Epinephelus itajara, are the largest members of the sea bass family found in the Atlantic Ocean. They possess a robust body that can reach over eight feet in length and weigh up to 800 pounds. Their appearance is distinctive, typically mottled yellow-brown to grey, with small black spots on their head, body, and fins, and a broad, flat head with small eyes.
These fish inhabit shallow, inshore waters, often found near depths of 150 feet. They prefer structured environments such as rocky reefs, coral formations, shipwrecks, and artificial structures like bridge pilings and ledges, which provide refuge. Juvenile goliath groupers utilize brackish estuaries and mangrove habitats as nursery grounds.
Goliath groupers are opportunistic ambush predators, primarily feeding on slow-moving, bottom-dwelling species. Their diet consists of crustaceans, such as calico crabs, other invertebrates like shrimp and lobsters, and various slow-moving fish. They capture prey by rapidly expanding their large mouths, creating a powerful suction that draws in their meal whole.
Conservation and Current Regulations
Historically, goliath grouper populations faced declines due to overfishing. Their vulnerability is due to slow growth rates, late sexual maturity, and predictable spawning aggregations. Consequently, the species was classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
To protect this species, a harvest ban was implemented in U.S. federal and continental waters in 1990, and in U.S. Caribbean waters in 1993. This protection has allowed goliath grouper populations to show signs of recovery. However, due to their biological traits, their rebound is a gradual process.
In a policy shift, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a limited recreational harvest of goliath grouper in state waters, which began in Spring 2023. This regulated program issues 200 permits per year through a lottery system. Anglers with a permit can harvest one fish per season, restricted to a slot limit of 24 to 36 inches in total length, using only hook-and-line gear with non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks. Large goliath groupers should not be removed from the water for photographs, as their skeletal structure is fragile and cannot support their weight out of water.