Types of Fish
Snook
Saltwater Bass on steroids. A fish with an attitude that matches it’s look. Underslung jaw, black racing stripe, bright yellow fins. When hooked they love to go airborne, and if you hold them, their next habit is to run for the nearest structure; mangrove roots seem to be their favorite.Snook range in size from a couple of pounds to 20+. The Florida record is 44lbs, three ounces. If you manage to land one in the slot during the season, you will have one of the best fish on the dinner table. White, mild, and flavorful fillets are at the top of everyone’s list.
Cobia
When you first see a cobia in the water, it looks like a shark. They are a dark brown fish with a white underbelly. A brown stripe runs from the gill plates to the tail. Average weight is 15 to 40lbs. Keepers must be 33 inches from the nose to the fork of the tail. Florida record is 114lbs, eight ounces.Every cobia fights differently. One may jump and make long head-shaking runs while another may circle the boat and come to the gaff like a dog on a leash, only to go crazy once in the boat.Good eating fish. The fillet is very firm, similar to swordfish. Grill or smoke. I find cobia everywhere from the flats to well offshore, often around navigation markers. They have a habit of following sting rays. I have even caught a few while they followed a manatee.
Cobia
When you first see a cobia in the water, it looks like a shark. They are a dark brown fish with a white underbelly. A brown stripe runs from the gill plates to the tail. Average weight is 15 to 40lbs. Keepers must be 33 inches from the nose to the fork of the tail. Florida record is 114lbs, eight ounces.Every cobia fights differently. One may jump and make long head-shaking runs while another may circle the boat and come to the gaff like a dog on a leash, only to go crazy once in the boat.Good eating fish. The fillet is very firm, similar to swordfish. Grill or smoke. I find cobia everywhere from the flats to well offshore, often around navigation markers. They have a habit of following sting rays. I have even caught a few while they followed a manatee.
Speckled Trout
Grass-flat brawler with canine teeth and a yellow mouth that loves to hit hard and shake its head like crazy. Its two canine teeth and spots help you distinguish this fish. Most trout weigh a pound or two. Over four pounds is considered big. Florida record is 16lbs. Just about any light tackle will work. They hit artificials very well. Good fish to fry.
Permit
Broad yellow and silver body with a deep black forked tail. This is one of the toughest fighting fish in the sea. I have to chase most with the boat to keep from getting spooled. Most permit here run eight to twelve pounds but 20 to 30 pounders are not uncommon. Florida record is 56lbs, two ounces. This fish is sometimes called a “greater pompano”. Smaller permit taste the same as pompano. Simply the best.
Permit
Broad yellow and silver body with a deep black forked tail. This is one of the toughest fighting fish in the sea. I have to chase most with the boat to keep from getting spooled. Most permit here run eight to twelve pounds but 20 to 30 pounders are not uncommon. Florida record is 56lbs, two ounces. This fish is sometimes called a “greater pompano”. Smaller permit taste the same as pompano. Simply the best.
King Mackerel
Long green to silver body with a mouth full of razor sharp teeth. Average size of school fish is six to fifteen pounds. Fish up to fifty pounds are not uncommon. Florida record is over 90lbs. Kings are one of the fastest fish in the sea and are known for their sizzling runs which make your reel smoke. Eating this fish is a matter of personal taste. The flesh is rich and oily. It is fine smoked or grilled
Pompano
These little silver and yellow gamesters are a light tackle favorite. They do not get big, but you wouldn’t know it from the fight they give. One to three pounds is about average. Florida record is just over eight pounds. As far as food value, they are simply the best
Pompano
These little silver and yellow gamesters are a light tackle favorite. They do not get big, but you wouldn’t know it from the fight they give. One to three pounds is about average. Florida record is just over eight pounds. As far as food value, they are simply the best
Mangrove Snapper
They can be a bland gray at times, but usually they copper or red in color with black bands over their eyes. Inshore snapper do not get much bigger than a pound or two. Offshore of this species grow closer to three to five pounds, with fish up to seven pounds not uncommon. Florida record is seventeen pounds. Mangroves make strong bulldog runs. They like to fight to get back to the structure from where they were hooked. One of the best eating fish, as are all types of snapper. The captain’s favorite.
Sheepshead
Also referred to as the Stripe Porgy, Convict Fish, and Bait Stealer, by any name the Sheepshead is a wintertime favorite. Most average one to three pounds, with some five to seven pounds. Florida record is fifteen pounds, two ounces. A very light striker with a habit of nibbling the bait off the hook. They can be a real challenge at times to catch. Once hooked, this fish will fight with determination because of its flat, broad shape. A good fish for the dinner table because of its diet of crabs and shellfish.
Sheepshead
Also referred to as the Stripe Porgy, Convict Fish, and Bait Stealer, by any name the Sheepshead is a wintertime favorite. Most average one to three pounds, with some five to seven pounds. Florida record is fifteen pounds, two ounces. A very light striker with a habit of nibbling the bait off the hook. They can be a real challenge at times to catch. Once hooked, this fish will fight with determination because of its flat, broad shape. A good fish for the dinner table because of its diet of crabs and shellfish.
Spanish Mackerel
This silvery fish with the gold spots is the harbinger of spring. I look forward to the macks every year. After they show up, the bait and other gamefish will not be far behind. Macks average from one to three pounds, with four to six pounders not uncommon. Florida record is twelve pounds. Because of their high oil content, macks are better eaten fresh; they don’t freeze well. They are great broiled or grilled, and also a good fish to smoke. Hard hitting with fast runs that change direction constantly—these little fish are just flat out fun on light tackle.
Redfish
The bronze bulldog of the flats. The same fish you see on t.v. shows tailing in the shallowest of water. A strong stubborn fighter that can make long, head shaking runs—that’s the redfish. Two to six pounds is common but twenty to thirty pounds is not unheard of. Florida record is 51lbs, eight ounces. This is a good fish to grill or bake, but I love them blackened.
Redfish
The bronze bulldog of the flats. The same fish you see on t.v. shows tailing in the shallowest of water. A strong stubborn fighter that can make long, head shaking runs—that’s the redfish. Two to six pounds is common but twenty to thirty pounds is not unheard of. Florida record is 51lbs, eight ounces. This is a good fish to grill or bake, but I love them blackened.
Black Grouper
With a stocky body and broom like tail, the black grouper is a true reef brawler. Difficult fish to catch on light tackle because of their habit of diving down into structure, which is why tackle commonly used is between thirty and fifty pound test. Average size of this fish is from two to ten pounds. Thirty pounds is not uncommon. Florida record is 71lbs, 3 ounces. Food value is excellent. Firm white fillets make great sandwiches. All grouper can be served fried, grilled, or blackened.
Gulf Flounder
Brown flat fish with two eyes on the same side. The big ones are sometimes called ‘doormats’. Most run from one to three pounds. Florida record is six pounds, four ounces. While not known for their fight, they do make up for it in taste. Flounder stuffed with crab meat is about as good as it gets.
Gulf Flounder
Brown flat fish with two eyes on the same side. The big ones are sometimes called ‘doormats’. Most run from one to three pounds. Florida record is six pounds, four ounces. While not known for their fight, they do make up for it in taste. Flounder stuffed with crab meat is about as good as it gets.
Shark
Tampa Bay is one of the largest nurseries for sharks in the world. Most common in this area are blacktips, lemons, nurse, spinners, bonnet heads, bulls, hammerheads, and sand sharks. Best time to fish for these creatures is summer and early fall. Although most sharks are good to eat, I do not recommend their consumption because of their slow growth and low birth rate. Average size is two to six feet.
Tarpon
Dark greenish-blue on the back turning to true silver mirrors on the sides. This fish looks a lot like a giant shiner. The Silver King is best known for the spectacular jumps it makes. When hooked, hold on! And you have to remember to “bow to the king” (point your rod at the fish) when it jumps, otherwise the line will most likely break. Most tarpon run between 70 and 100 pounds with some ranging 120 to 150 pounds. Florida record is 243lbs. This fish truly tests all of the angler’s skills.
Tarpon
Dark greenish-blue on the back turning to true silver mirrors on the sides. This fish looks a lot like a giant shiner. The Silver King is best known for the spectacular jumps it makes. When hooked, hold on! And you have to remember to “bow to the king” (point your rod at the fish) when it jumps, otherwise the line will most likely break. Most tarpon run between 70 and 100 pounds with some ranging 120 to 150 pounds. Florida record is 243lbs. This fish truly tests all of the angler’s skills.