Saltwater · Year-round in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean; best on deeper reefs in the warm months.
Black Margate
Anisotremus surinamensis
The dark, high-backed Atlantic cousin of the burrito grunt, usually found alone or in small groups under reef ledges. It is one of the larger grunts and a strong fighter on reef tackle.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Dark grey to almost black body with black fins and a high, steep back
- Fins are black
- Deep, laterally compressed body typical of its family
- Thick lips and a small to medium mouth suited to picking invertebrates
- Up to 76 cm; commonly 40-55 cm, one of the largest grunts.
Habits
- Adults are solitary or in small groups, resting under ledges by day
- Juveniles are striped and spotted and shelter in shallow reef and rubble
- Feeds at night on crabs, molluscs, sea urchins and other benthic invertebrates
Distribution
Where to find them
- Reef ledges and wrecks in the Florida Keys
- Bahamas patch reefs and drop-offs
- Caribbean reef slopes off Cuba and Puerto Rico
Where they live
How to catch them
Reef bottom fishing Boat
Rig: Fish-finder / knocker rig: egg sinker above a swivel, 30-60 cm fluorocarbon leader, #1-1/0 circle hook
Bait/lure: Small pieces of shrimp or squid
Key tip: Anchor up-current of a patch reef, keep the bait tight to the bottom and reel steadily on the bite instead of striking hard.
Small jig tipped with bait Boat
Rig: 6-12 g bucktail or micro jig on 20-30 lb leader
Bait/lure: Jig tipped with a small piece of shrimp
Key tip: Work the jig slowly along reef edges and sandy pockets with long pauses; most bites come as it settles.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Medium spinning or conventional reef rod 2.1-2.4 m
- Line: 20-30 lb braid main line
- Terminal: 30-40 lb fluorocarbon leader, 1/0-2/0 circle hooks, egg sinkers 30-90 g by depth and current
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
7'6" medium-heavy jigging rod
≈ US$110-170
Works 2-6 oz jigs over rock and reef and still has the backbone to lift a halibut off the bottom.
Line · Budget
50 lb braid with 40 lb leader (200 yd)
≈ US$25-40
Thin braid cuts the current so jigs stay vertical; the leader shrugs off rock and teeth.
Terminal · Budget
Leadhead jigs, swimbaits and two-hook bottom rigs
≈ US$25-40
A leadhead with a swimbait tail is the universal bottom-fish catcher, from rockfish to cod to flounder.
Picks are never paid placements. Prices are guides; price links are coming soon and none is an affiliate link yet.
Typical size
Up to 76 cm; commonly 40-55 cm, one of the largest grunts.
On the table
Good eating when fresh; as with other large Caribbean reef fish, follow local ciguatera advice for big fish from known hotspots.
Similar species
Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
Plan a trip for Black Margate
Build today's plan⚠ Heads-up: Black Margate doesn't occur around Vancouver, BC (or is very rare there), so it's not a sensible local target. Your plan stays in Vancouver, BC and is built around the fish that actually live there.