A Florida Keys charter captain recently made a remarkable catch, hauling in a Warsaw grouper estimated to weigh nearly 500 pounds. The fish was caught in late March 2026 off the coast of Marathon, Florida.
Captain John L. Jones of the "Gulfstream II" charter boat caught the massive fish using a live bonito as bait. The catch was documented and verified by local media and fishing authorities.
Instead of keeping the entire catch for himself, Captain Jones decided to share the bounty. The fish was processed, and the meat was distributed to residents throughout Marathon, providing meals for numerous families.
Warsaw grouper are among the largest species of grouper in the Atlantic Ocean and are typically found in deep waters. The species is not currently listed as endangered, but they are managed under federal fishing regulations.
