Common Name:  Grouper

Local Name:  Lapu Lapu (Tagalog), Lapu Lapu, Pogapo (Cebuano)

Max Size:  120 cm (15kgs)

Biodiversity: Marine, Brackish, Reef Associated

Depth: 1 – 100 m

Fishing Season:  All Year Long

Minimum Size Limit:  12 inches

Recommended Bait/Lures:  Shrimp, Squid, fish or cut bait;  jigs, soft plastics, crankbaits

IUCN Red List Status:  Near Threatened (NT)

Here is a Orange Spotted Grouper caught by Tony here in Cebu at Porter Marina while fishing the pond.  This is one of the common species of grouper or Lapu Lapu that can be caught here.  This species is know by different names in English including; Orange Spotted Grouper, Green Grouper and  Estuary Cod.  Here is Cebu and around the rest of the Philippines this species and all of the Epinephalus Spp. are known only as Lapu Lapu.  According to Fish Base the max published size of this species is 120cm and 15kgs.  These fish are often caught along rocky shore line, from piers or around reefs.

Tony caught this fish on a Pins Minnow Medium Runner (Sardine Color) which he got from our online store.  Here is a link to that if you are interested:  http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=403781519673984&set=a.403781493007320.111026.400055840046552&type=3&theater

These fish feed on shrimp, small fish and crabs.  The favorite bait for this species is live shrimp.  They also take lures (as seen above) jigs and more.  If you happen to be fishing along the coastline near  mangroves, rocks, piers or reefs there is a good chance you will catch some of these.

  I caught this fish today on a small piece of squid while fishing from the rocks along the Northern Section of the SRP near the Malacanang Sa Sugbu building. I caught this and an eel which I will post later.  This species is often mistaken for Lapu Lapu or Grouper.  Here in Cebu this is known as Pugapo (pronounced; pu-GA-po).  It is actually a Hind. These can grow to 20 or 30cm though most that are caught are less than 20cm.  These fish are edible and taste similar to lapu lapu.  These are quite common and abundant along rocky shorelines as well as around reefs.  These fish can be caught in depths from around 1ft to 100ft.