 |
| What you
may catch |
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.
Top
|
Family Carangidae, JACKS and
POMPANOS
Seriola dumerili
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
Top
|
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."
Top
|
|
Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS
Cynoscion nebulosus
|
|
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.
Top
|
|
Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS
Cynoscion arenarius
|
|
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.
Top
|
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.
Top
|
|
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.
Top
|
|
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.
Top
|
|
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.
Top
|
|
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.
Top
|
|
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.
Top
|
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.
Top
|
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.
Top
|
|
Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPERS
Rhomboplites aurorubens
|
|
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.
Top
|
|
Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPERS
Lutjanus griseus
|
|
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.
Top
|
|
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.
Top
|
|
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.
Top
|
|
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.
Top
|
|
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.
Top
|
GRAY
TRIGGERFISH
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.
Top
|
Family Ephippidae,
SPADEFISHES
Chaetodipterus faber
|
|
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.
Top
|
Blacktip Shark
(Carcharhinus limbatus)
Other
Names:
Small Blacktip
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.
Top
|
|
|
|
|
