Description: color pinkish red over entire body, whitish
below; long triangular snout; anal fin sharply pointed;
no dark lateral spot. Similar Fish: vermilion snapper,
R. aurorubens.
Where found: OFFSHORE on the continental shelf, oil and
gas rigs.
Size: to 20 pounds.
Remarks: juveniles occur over sandy or mud bottoms and
are often taken in shrimp trawls; adults may live more
than 20 years, and attain 35 pounds or more; sexual
maturity attained at age 2; spawns June to October;
feeds on crustaceans and fish.
|
Crevalle Jack |
Family Carangidae, JACKS and POMPANOS
Caranx hippos |
Description: color bluish-green to greenish-gold black
and silver ot yellowish belly; soft dorsal and anal fins
almost identical in size; prominent black spot on
operculum (gill cover); black spot at the base of each
pectoral fin; no scales on throat.
Similar Fish: other Caranx.
Where found: common in both inshore waters and the open
sea.
Size: usually 3 to 5 pounds.
Remarks: tolerates a wide range of salinities; schools
corner a school of baitfish at the surface and feed with
commotion that can be seen at great distances; feeds
mainly on small fish; peak spawning occurs Offshore from
March through September.
Description: dark stripe (variably present) extends from
nose to in front of dorsal fin and "lights up" when fish
is in feeding mode; no scutes; soft dorsal base less
than twice the length of the anal fin base.
Similar Fish: other Seriola.
Where found: Offshore species associated with rocky
reefs, debris, and wrecks, typically in 60 - 240 feet of
water; juveniles associated with floating objects and
may occur in water less than 30 feet deep.
Size: common to 40 pounds.
Remarks: largest of the jacks; thoug
|
Sheepshead |
Family Sparidae, PORGIES
Archosargus probatocephalus |
Description: basic silvery color; with 5 or 6 distinct
vertical black bands on sides, not always the same on
both sides; prominent teeth, including incisors, molars,
and rounded grinders; no barbels on lower jaw; strong
and sharp spines on dorsal and anal fins. Similar Fish:
black drum, Pogonias cromis; Atlantic spadefish,
Chaetodipterus (black drum have barbels on lower jaw,
sheepshead do not; vertical barring on sides of black
drum and spadefish disappear as fish mature; spadefish
have small, brush-like teeth).
Where found: INSHORE species around oyster bars,
seawalls and in tidal creeks; moves nearshore in late
winter and early spring for spawning, gathering over
debris, artificial reefs and around navigation markers.
Size: Inshore, 1 to 2 pounds; offshore, common to 8
pounds.
Remarks: feeds on mollusks and crustaceans such as
fiddler crabs and barnacles; famed nibblers, prompting
the saying that "anglers must strike just before they
bite."
Description: dark gray or green above, with sky blue
tinges shading to silvery and white below; numerous
distinct round black spots on back, extending to the
dorsal fins and tail; black margin on posterior of tail;
no barbels; no scales on the soft dorsal fin; one or two
prominent canine teeth usually present at tip of upper
jaw. Similar Fish: other Speckled Trout
Where found: Inshore and/or nearshore over grass, sand
and sandy bottoms; move into slow-moving or still, deep
waters in cold weather.
Size: common to 4 pounds on west coast, larger on east
coast.
Remarks: matures during first or second year and spawns
INSHORE from March through November; often in
association with seagrass beds; lives mainly in
estuaries and moves only short distances; adults feed
mainly on shrimp and small fish; prefers water
temperatures between 58 and 81 degrees F and may be
killed if trapped in shallow water during cold weather;
longevity 8 to 10 years.
Description: pale body color, yellow above, silver to
white below; one or two prominent canine teeth usually
at tip of upper jaw; inside of mouth yellow; no
well-defined black spots on back; 10 to 12 soft rays in
anal fin; no chin barbels. Similar Fish: White trout,
Sand Trout
Where found: a Gulf species that may occur in the
Atlantic waters of extreme south-eastern Florida; adults
predominantly found inshore residing in bays and inlets
but may move offshore during winter months; young occur
inshore in shallow bays.
Size: usually less than 1 pound (10 to 12 inches).
Remarks: matures during first or second year; prolonged
inshore spawning season extends through spring and
summer; feeds mainly on small fish and shrimp.
|
Red Drum |
Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS
Sciaenops ocellatus |
Description: chin without barbels; copper bronze body,
lighter shade in clear waters; one to many spots at base
of tail (rarely no spots); mouth horizontal and openng
downward; scales large. Other Names: Redfish, Rat Reds
(undersized), Bull Reds (oversized), Drum
Similar Fish: black drum, Pogonias cromis.
Where found: juveniles are an INSHORE fish, migrating
out of the estuaries at about 30 inches (4 years) and
joining the spawning population OFFSHORE.
Size: one of 27 inches weighs about 8 pounds.
Remarks: red drum are an INSHORE species until they
attain roughly 30 inches (4 years), then they migrate to
join the NEARSHORE population; spawning occurs from
August to November in NEARSHORE waters; sudden cold
snaps may kill red drum in shallow, INSHORE waters;
feeds on crustaceans, fish and mollusks; longevity to 20
years or more.
Black Drum |
Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS
Pogonias cromis |
Description: high arched back; 10 to 14 pairs of chin
barbels; gray or black colored body in adults; young
have 4 to 6 vertical bars; has cobblestone-like teeth
capable of crushing oysters; scales large. Other Names:
Drum, Striped Drum
Similar Fish: the vertical bars on juvenile black drum
are somewhat similar to those on sheepshead, Archosargus
probatocephalus; spadefish, Chaetodipterus faber; red
drum, Sciaenops ocellatus.
Where found: INSHORE fish common to bays and lagoons;
bottom dweller often found around oyster beds; also
OFFSHORE.
Size: common to 30 pounds.
*Florida Record: 93 lbs.
Remarks: largest member of the drum family; spawns
NEARSHORE in winter and early spring; feeds on oysters,
mussels, crabs, shrimp and occasionally fish; longevity
to 35 or more years.
Gulf Flounder |
Family Bothidae, LEFT EYE FLOUNDERS
Paralichthys albigutta |
Description: body color brown, its shade depending on
color of bottom, with numerous spots and blotches; 3
prominent eye-like spots forming a triangle; one spot on
lateral line, one above, one below; numerous white spots
scattered over body and fins (albigutta, white-spotted);
strong canine-like teeth; caudal fin in shape of wedge,
its tip in the middle. Other Names: Flat Fish, Flounder
Similar Fish: southern flounder, P. lethostigma (no
eye-like spots; color pattern is key to distinguishing
the two species).
Where found: INSHORE on sandy or mud bottoms, often
ranging into tidal creeks; occasionally caught on
NEARSHORE rocky reefs.
Size: common to 2 pounds, generally smaller than
southern flounder.
Remarks: hatches into usual fish form, but right eye
migrates over to left side early in life; a bottom
dweller; thought to spawn OFFSHORE; feeds on crustaceans
and small fishes.
Bluefish |
Family Pomatomidae, BLUEFISHES
Pomatomus saltatrix |
Description: color blue or greenish blue on back, sides
silvery; mouth large; teeth prominent, sharp, and
compressed; dorsal and anal fins nearly the same size;
scales small; lateral line almost straight. Other Names:
Blue, Chopper, Anchoa
Similar Fish: blue runner, C. crysos.
Where found: young usually INSHORE spring and summer,
moving OFFSHORE to join adults fall and winter; strong
migration of northeast Atlantic stock to Florida east
coast in winter.
Size: most west coast catches under 3 pounds, much
larger on east coast.
Remarks: travels in large schools, following schools of
baitfish; cannibalistic; all members of a given school
about the same size; spawning occurs OFFSHORE in spring
and summer.
Cobia |
Family Rachycentridae, COBIA
Rachycentron canadum |
Description: long, slim fish with broad depressed head;
lower jaw projects past upper jaw; dark lateral stripe
extends through eye to tail; first dorsal fin comprised
of 7 to 9 free spines; when young, has conspicuous
alternating black and white horizontal stripes. Other
Names: Ling, Crab Eater, Lemonfish, Bacalao
Similar Fish: remora, Echeneis naucrates.
Where found: both INSHORE and NEARSHORE inhabiting
inlets, bays, and among mangroves; frequently seen
around bouys, pilings, and wrecks.
Size: common to 30 pounds.
Remarks: spawns in spring and early summer; feeds on
crabs, squid, and small fish.
|
Tarpon |
Family Elopidae, TARPONS
Megalops atlanticus |
Description: last ray of dorsal fin extended into long
filament; one dorsal fin; back dark blue to green or
greenish black, shading into bright silver on the sides;
may be brownish gold in estuarien waters; huge scales;
mouth large and points upward. Other Names: Silver King,
Sabalo
Similar Fish: (as juveniles) ladyfish, Elops saurus.
Where found: primarily INSHORE fish, although adult fish
spawn OFFSHORE where the ribbon-like larval stage of the
fish can be found.
Size: most angler catches 40 to 50 pounds.
Remarks: slow grower; matures at 7 to 13 years of age;
spawning occurs between May and September; female may
lay more than 12 million eggs; can tolerate wide range
of salinity; juveniles commonly found in fresh water;
can breathe air at surface; feeds mainly on fish and
large crustaceans.
Tripletail |
Lobotes surinamensis
Other Names: Drift Fish, Leaf Fish, Black Fish |
Habitat: The Tripletail is a true world traveler,
drifting with ocean currents and often spotted by
dolphin fishermen in weedlines or alongside floating
debris. Many are found closer to shore in most coastal
areas during warm months, and also in larger bays
usually hanging around markers or trap floats.
Description: Deep, somewhat rounded shape gives it the
appearance of an oversize panfish. Color varies but is
usually brownish and mottled. Head is concave above the
mouth. Name derives from similarity and near
juxtaposition of the dorsal, caudal and anal fins,
resembling three tails.
Size: Most run 2-12 pounds; but rare catches reach 30 or
more. World record 42 pounds, 5 ounces.
Food Value: One of the best.
Game Qualities: Despite its clumsy looks, the Tripletail
is a good gamefish in all respects. It willingly strikes
artificial lures and its fight is characterized by
short, frantic runs and startling jumps. Big ones in
deep water are also good at bulldogging. Like Cobia with
which they frequently share the shade of a navigation
structure Tripletail are adept at fouling lines.
Baits: Live shrimp and small fish. Strip baits and dead
shrimp. Plastic and bucktail jigs, mirror lures.
Type of Fishing: Casting; Drifting; Still Fishing.
Ladyfish |
Family Elopidae, TARPONS
Elops saurus |
Description: terminal mouth, slender body, small scales;
last dorsal ray not elongated; head small and pointed.
Other Names: Ten-Pounder, Skipjack, Chiro
Similar Fish: juvenile tarpon, Megalops atlanticus.
Where found: INSHORE fish, in bays and estuaries;
occasionally enters freshwater, occurring in tidal pools
and canals; often forms large schools and harasses bait
at the surface.
Size: 2 to 3 pounds.
Remarks: known to spawn OFFSHORE, ribbon-like larvae
very similar to Albula and Megalops, peaking in fall;
adult feeds predominantly on fish and crustaceans; leaps
when hooked.
Description: color of entire body reddish, with a series
of short, irregular lines on its sides, diagonal blue
lines formed by spots on the scales above the lateral
line; sometimes with yellow streaks below the lateral
line; large canine teeth absent; orientation of mouth
and eye give it the appearance of looking upward; no
dark lateral spot. Other Names: Beeliner, Mingo, Cajon
Similar Fish: red snapper, L. campechanus (anal fin of
red snapper has midpoint like a triangle).
Where found: suspends at mid-depths over rocky reefs
OFFSHORE.
Size: usually less than 1 pound.
Remarks: spawns April to September, females maturing at
3 to 4 years of age; grows slowly; attains weight of 6
pounds and length of 24 inches; feeds on small, swimming
crustaceans and mollusks.
Description: color dark brown or gray with reddish or
orange spots in rows along the sides; dark horizontal
band from snout through eye (young only); two
conspicuous canine teeth at front of upper jaw; dorsal
fins have dark or reddish borders; no dark spot on side
underneath dorsal fin. Other Names: Mangrove Snapper,
Black Snapper, Mango, Caballerote
Similar Fish: cubera snapper, L. cyanopterus.
Where found: juveniles INSHORE in tidal creeks,
mangroves, and grass beds; adults generally NEARSHORE or
OFFSHORE on coral or rocky reefs.
Size: offshore catches common 8 to 10 pounds.
Remarks: spawns June through August; feeds on
crustaceans and small fish.
King Mackerel |
Family Scombridae, MACKERELS and TUNAS
Scomberomorous cavalla |
Description: color of back iridescent bluish green;
sides silvery, streamlined body with tapered head; no
black pigment on front of dorsal fin; lateral line
starts high and drops sharply below the second dorsal
fin; young fish often have yellow spots like those of
the Spanish mackerel. Other Names: Kingfish, Sierra,
Cavalla
Similar Fish: cero, S. regalis; Spanish mackerel, S.
maculatus.
Where found: NEARSHORE and OFFSHORE, occasionally taken
from piers running into deep water.
Size: common to 20 pounds.
Remarks: schooling fish that migrates from south Florida
waters in winter to more northerly waters in spring;
Gulf population thought to be separate from Atlantic
population, with considerable mixing in winter from Cape
Canaveral past Key West; spawns in midsummer OFFSHORE;
feeds on small fish and squid.
Spanish Mackerel |
Family Scombridae, MACKERELS and TUNAS
Scomberomorous maculatus |
Description: color of back green, shading to silver on
sides, golden yellow irregular spots above and below
lateral line; front of dorsal fin black; lateral line
curves gently to base of tail. Other Names: Sierra
Similar Fish: cero, S. regalis; king mackerel, S.
cavalla.
Where found: INSHORE, NEARSHORE and OFFSHORE, especially
over grass beds and reefs; absent from north Florida
waters in winter.
Size: average catch less than 2 pounds (20 inches).
Remarks: schooling fish that migrates northward in
spring, returning to southerly waters when water
temperature drops below 70 degrees F; spawns OFFSHORE,
spring through summer; feeds on small fish and squid.
Black Grouper |
Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Mycteroperca bonaci |
Description: olive or gray body coloration with black
blotches and brassy spots; gently rounded preopercle.
Other Names: Bonaci Arara Aguaji
Similar Fish: gag M. microlepis; yellowfin grouper, M.
venenosa.
Where found: OFFSHORE species; adults associated with
rocky bottoms, reef, and drop off walls in water over 60
feet deep; young may occur INSHORE in shallow water.
Size: common to 40 pounds, may attain weights exceeding
100 pounds.
Remarks: spawns between May and August; protogynous
hermaphrodites, young predominantly female, transforming
into males as they grow larger; larger individuals
generally in greater depths; feeds on fish and squid.
Gag |
Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Mycteroperca microlepis |
Description: brownish gray in color with dark worm-like
markings on sides; strong serrated spur at bottom margin
of preopercle, less noticeable in large specimens; fins
dark, with anal and caudal having white margin. Often
confused with black grouper; tail of gag is slightly
concave, black is square; gag has white margin on anal
and caudal fins, black does not; under 10 pounds, gag's
spur on preopercle is distinctive, where black is gently
rounded. Other Names: Gray Grouper, Grass Grouper,
Copper Belly, Black Grouper
Similar Fish: black grouper M. bonaci.
Where found: adults OFFSHORE over rocks and reefs;
juveniles occur in seagrass beds INSHORE.
Size: common to 25 pounds.
Remarks: forms spawning aggregations in water no
shallower than 120 feet in Middle Grounds area, January
through March; current research to identify similar
aggregations off Atlantic coast is ongoing. Young gags
are predominantly female, transforming into males as
they grow larger; feeds on fish and squid.
Gray Trigger
Fish |
Family Serranidae, Blistes capriscus
Other Names: Common, Triggerfish, Common Turbot, Cucuyo
|
Habitat: Mostly found well offshore.
Description: Uniform dark gray in color, sometimes with
darker blotches on the sides, especially in smaller
fish.
Size: Averages 1-3 pounds. World record 13 pounds, 9
ounces.
Food Value: Excellent. Many consider Triggerfish fillets
to be tasty. They are, however, more difficult to clean
because of their tough skins.
Game Qualities: The small mouth of the Triggerfish makes
them difficult to hook, but once they are on a line they
put up an outstanding fight against light tackle.
Baits: Shrimp and any cut bait. Plastic lures.
Type of Fishing: Drifting; Still Fishing.
Description: silvery with 4 to 6 black vertical bands on
each side which sometimes become obscure in larger fish;
deep, flattened body; separated first and second dorsal
fins; concave caudal fin; anterior rays of second dorsal
fin and anal fin elongated. Other Names: Striped
Angelfish, Chrivita Chiva
Similar Fish: no close resemblances, but frequently and
mistakenly called angelfish.
Where found: INSHORE and NEARSHORE, around natural and
artificial reefs, and especially near navigation markers
in 15 to 20 feet of water.
Size: most catches less than 2 pounds, known to reach 15
pounds.
Remarks: spawns in spring and summer; travels in large
schools; small juveniles almost totally black, known to
drift on their sides and mimic floating debris; feeds on
crustaceans, small encrusting invertebrates, and may
nibble on tentacles of jellyfish.
Habitat: Occurs from the open sea to the coast.
Description: Gray above, white below. Tips of dorsal and
pectoral fins are black, as is the lower lobe of the
caudal fin. Short snout and stout body. Dorsal fin
begins at a point above the rear portion of the pectoral
fin.
Size: Common from 5-30 pounds; seldom reaches 100
pounds, but reported to 200 or more. World record 270
pounds, 9 ounces.
Food Value: Very good.
Game Qualities: Pound for pound, probably the scrappiest
of sharks. Wages a wild battle on light tackle, marked
by long runs and frantic jumps, especially in shallow
water.
Baits: Shrimp and any sort of cut bait.
Type of Fishing: Casting; Drifting; Still Fishing.