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White Grunt

White Grunt

White Grunt are schooling reef fish considered one of Florida's most underrated table fish and are featured in the historic Florida dish 'Grits and Grunts.'

Scientific Name: Haemulon plumierii

Also known as Key West Grunt

Physical Characteristics:
  • Almond-shaped bodies, pointed snouts, and forked tails.
  • They're silvery white to cream-colored with bronze or yellow touches and distinctive blue stripes on their heads.
  • Their mouths are bright red when open.
  • Commonly grow to 17 inches and 5.5 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Abundant year-round and distributed throughout both Gulf and Atlantic coastal waters from the shoreline to depths of 115 feet, though most commonly found in waters less than 80 feet deep.

Key Locations

  • Gulf waters off Tampa-Sarasota, Central West Florida, the Florida Keys, and Atlantic waters from Jacksonville to the Keys.

Specific Spots

  • Structure like reefs, docks, wrecks, artificial reefs, bridges, piers, and mangrove areas.
  • Adults form large schools during the day over coral reefs, hard bottoms, wrecks, and artificial structures.
  • Juveniles seek shelter in shallow seagrass beds, mangroves, and among sea urchin spines.

White Grunt FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for White Grunt in Florida?

Live or dead shrimp (most effective), squid pieces, cut baitfish, and small artificial jigs.

When is the best time to fish for White Grunt in Florida?

Excellent year-round fishing in Florida. Avoid targeting during peak spawning in May and June.

How do you catch White Grunt in Florida?

Hook and line fishing, bottom fishing using fish finder rig or simple bottom rig. Chum bags help attract schools. Can also be caught by spearfishing, cast netting, or seining in shallow water.

What do White Grunt eat?

Generalized carnivores that feed nocturnally, migrating off reefs to open sandy, muddy, or grassy areas after sunset to hunt benthic crustaceans, mollusks, echinoderms, and small fish. Juveniles feed on plankton and copepods during daylight hours.

Where do White Grunt live in Florida?

Abundant year-round and distributed throughout both Gulf and Atlantic coastal waters from the shoreline to depths of 115 feet, though most commonly found in waters less than 80 feet deep.

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