Warsaw Grouper(Epinephelus nigritus)

Quick Facts

  • Other Names: Toad
  • Size Range: A large growing grouper that can reach weights over 500 pounds, but fish 20 to 100 pounds are more common.
  • Native Species?: Yes
  • Food Value: Fair edibility to poor. The smaller fish are better than larger specimens, as the larger ones tend to have an unappetizing jelly-like connective tissue between the layers of meat.

State Record

  • Louisiana State Record: 359.1lbs
  • State Record Date: 11/1/2008
  • State Record Holder J.J. Tabor

The warsaw grouper is a large, robust grouper, dark brown and uniform in color. Young fish can have white spots and speckles. The second spine of the dorsal fin is elongated.

These grouper live in deeper offshore waters on structures. They are caught in 300 to 1,000 feet, and barotrauma is a problem for attempting to release these fish. It is best to try and sink them with a heavy weight and release the rig to decompress the gasses and enable the fish to swim back down.

Targeting warsaw requires heavy bottom tackle to drop large live and dead baits around deepwater structures. Anglers often use electric reels to fish depths greater than 300 feet.

Warsaw Grouper Rules and Regulations

Bag and Possession Limit : One warsaw per vessel
Seasons : Finfish

Grouper Click to Toggle

All recreational anglers, including those not normally required to have a fishing license, and charter captains must obtain Recreational Offshore Landing Permit to possess grouper.

There is a closed season for the recreational harvest of gag from January 1 through June 30. A closed season for the recreational harvest of black, red, yellowfin and yellowmouth groupers as well as rock hind, red hind and scamp has also been established from Feb. 1 - March 31 of each year. Size, bag and possession limits have been removed for rock hind, red hind, misty grouper, black sea bass, dog snapper, mahogany snapper, schoolmaster, blackline and anchor tilefish.

Other seasons and rules are currently in place in Federal waters off of Louisiana. Please check those rules at www.gulfcouncil.org under “Fishing Regulations.”

General Info:
Related Habitats:
Other Grouper Species: Nassau Grouper Goliath Grouper Yellowfin Grouper Scamp Yellowmouth Grouper Yellowedge Grouper Speckled Hind Snowy Grouper
SHARE THIS

There are Currently No Videos to Display

Related Fishing Methods

Bottom fishing is normally about fishing bottom structures in order to target benthic or bottom dwelling fish. There are a wide variety of techniques, but the common element is the targeting of species who dwell around or hide in natural and man-made structures. Fish like grouper, snapper, amberjack and catfish would be considered bottom fish. It is very popular amongst anglers and success is often determined by the fishermen's ability to crank a fish away from the structure before the fish can duck into it and cut the line. Anchoring or drifting the boat over the structure is key to having success. There are many versions, and many of the bottom fish are prized eating.

Dead bait consists of many different types of bait that is no longer alive. Dead bait is still attractive to many fish as they are normally feeding by smell and dead bait is the ticket for smell. Fresh cut fish, dead shrimp, half crab, shucked clam, cut squid and all popular examples of bait that will catch a wide variety of fish. Many sport fish that are predators, will gladly take the opportunity to slurp up a fresh dead bait. A redfish is equally happy to chase down a baitfish or slurp up a dead shrimp on the bottom. Dead bait has the benefit is being easy to obtain, maintain and transport, as opposed to live bait which takes livewells, quality water control and can be harder to obtain.

A versatile method of fishing for many types of fish in both freshwater and salt. A jig is a lure, normally a lead-headed lure with many various types of body/tail configurations made of rubber, hair and feather. Jigs are one of the most versatile of all lures and can be tipped with bait or not. Traditionally jigs are worked in variety of up and down motions, and can be fished throughout the entire water column, depending on the fishery. A modern form of jigs called metal jigs has taken hold and many varieties and shapes have been developed to work different ways. Made famous by the Shimano Butterfly Jig and now produced by many companies in many variations. If I could only have one lure to fish with it would be a jig.

Live bait is a term given to many different types of fish, crustaceans, insects and worms that are popular food items for fish and used by fishermen for bait. There are many benefits to live bait as well as a few cons. The pros normally out weigh the negatives, and live bait is widely used. The biggest benefit for fishermen is that they are using the real thing and often puts a fish's guard down. Small fish, crabs, shrimp, clams, crickets and the good ole earthworm are all used to entice a fish to the hook. The only negatives to live bait is just that, keeping it alive. Sometimes catching it can be a challenge, as only some species can be bought as live bait. No matter how you get it, live bait is a great way to target many types of fish.