Scamp Grouper Fishing Guide

Scamp are widely regarded as the finest-eating grouper in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, a mid-sized Mycteroperca with a distinctive pattern of small, dark brown spots and characteristic fleshy tabs at the corners of its tail that become more pronounced in large adults. Despite their modest size — typically five to fifteen pounds, with specimens over twenty pounds being exceptional — scamp are aggressively sought by chefs and knowledgeable seafood buyers who prize their sweet, moist, firm flesh above all other grouper. They inhabit the same deep rocky ledge habitat as gag but tend to occur in somewhat deeper, clearer water. Scamp are often the most abundant grouper on certain offshore ledge systems in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida, and they bite readily on live bait and jigs. Their fighting ability is proportional to their size — respectable, but they are valued more for the table than the battle.

Scamp Grouper is a saltwater species.

Habitat

Scamp inhabit rocky ledges, natural hard bottom, and offshore wrecks from about 60 to 250+ feet, primarily along the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts from the Carolinas to the Yucatan. They tend to prefer slightly deeper and harder structure than gag and often overlap with black sea bass and snowy grouper on the deepest ledges.

Diet

Scamp are active predators feeding primarily on fish and squid near hard-bottom structure. They are known to chase baitfish well off the bottom at times and respond well to live and dead baitfish, squid, and large soft-plastic jigs fished at depth.

Fishing Techniques

• Live pinfish on a bottom rig
• Cut squid dropper loop
• Vertical jigging with bucktail jigs
• Slow pitch jigging with paddle-tail swimbaits
• Cut bait on an egg-sinker rig near structure

Best Seasons

Spring, Summer, Fall

Size & Records

Average weight: 8 lbs. World record: 29.6 lbs (Destin, Florida, USA (1985)).