Florida Groupers: Giants Making a Comeback

Goliath groupers in Florida can weigh over 800 pounds and were nearly fished to extinction

by the year 2000. These prehistoric looking giants are now making a comeback thanks to strict

protection laws that banned their harvest back in 1990. What most people

don't know is that groupers are actually born female and later transform into males as they

grow larger. Florida waters are home to over a dozen grouper species, but the gag grouper

and red grouper are the most popular targets for anglers. The deep wrecks and rocky ledges

off Florida's coast create perfect hunting grounds where these ambush predators hide in holes waiting

to strike. A single grouper can live up to 40 years and they're incredibly territorial,