Scamp

US fish and state coverage

Mycteroperca phenax

A state link is a recorded source association, not a catch guarantee or confirmation that targeting is legal. Check current regulations with the responsible state agency.

Peak months
Typical depth
Typical size
commonly up to 12 inches, but may reach up to 42 inches Nearshore and offshore reefs, ledges and rocky bottoms Spawn in late spring. Young undergo a sex transformation from female to male as they becomes older
Catch minimum
National record

See state records · Browse all fishing records

Biology, seasons and size reflect the canonical source record, which may contain Florida context. They are not state-specific guidance for every linked state. Missing fields remain unfilled.

Overview

Habitat summary
Nearshore and offshore reefs, ledges and rocky bottoms
Diet
Feed on small fishes and invertebrates.
Water type
saltwater

When to fish

Good months
May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
Seasonality
FWC grouper regs: Atlantic shallow-water grouper complex typically open May 1–Dec 31 (verify current). Gulf often year-round state with federal depth closures.

Where to fish

Habitat summary
Nearshore and offshore reefs, ledges and rocky bottoms
Habitat zone
both
Fishing zone
both

How to catch

Techniques
drift deep reefs with live/cut on stout bottom gear

Bait & lures

Preferred bait
live pinfish/sardines; cut bait; squid
Preferred lures
jigs on deep structure

Size

Typical size
commonly up to 12 inches, but may reach up to 42 inches Nearshore and offshore reefs, ledges and rocky bottoms Spawn in late spring. Young undergo a sex transformation from female to male as they becomes older

Records

Recorded catches retain their source scope; state and world catches are not national records.

state record evidence

Source context: Florida

Record type
florida state
Record weight lb
29.6
Record location
Gulf of Mexico
Record date
06/11/2021
Record angler
Mark John Gibner
Record catch text
29.6 lb; by Mark John Gibner; on 06/11/2021; at Gulf of Mexico

Browse sourced catches for this species

Related states & places

Place links are planning context, not proof of local species presence. Florida city links marked local context follow existing directory relationships, not catch reports.

Source-linked directories

Real local listings currently cover Florida only. Boat-ramp, charter and creator links below follow existing Florida species relationships. Bait-shop links are city context only, not species-targeting evidence.

Boat ramps — Florida

Selected examples from 1020 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida boat ramps directory

Charter captains — Florida

Selected examples from 1 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida charter captains directory

Bait shops — Florida

Selected examples from 632 source-linked city-context records.

Browse the Florida bait shops directory

Fishing creators — Florida

Selected examples from 3 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida fishing creators directory

Related species

Navigation links share a recorded scientific genus or a source state and water-type grouping. This is not a claim of identical habitat or legal targeting.

Source evidence by state

Legacy Florida source profiles

LoveToFish is a national fishing guide. Fish species coverage spans all 50 states. Ramp, charter, bait shop, and creator directories currently cover Florida. Verify current local regulations with the responsible agency.