Deep Sea Fishing
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Fish Pictures
Pictures provided by Division of Marine Fisheries.
Almaco Jack |
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| American Shad OFFSHORE except during late winter spawning run into east coast rivers, notably the St. Johns River. Most catches 2 to 3 pounds; common to 5 pounds. |
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| Atlantic Croaker Generally found north of Tampa Bay on the west coast and north of Cape Canaveral on the east coast; young fish found in estuaries; older fish inhabit deep OFFSHORE waters during the winter months and move into bays and estuaries during the spring, summer and fall. Usually less than 2 pounds. |
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| Atlantic Sharpnose Shark INSHORE species, even found in surf; also common in bays and estuaries; adults occur OFFSHORE. Small species, 2 to 4 feet. |
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| Banded Rudderfish NEARSHORE and OFFSHORE over hard bottom, generally in shallower water than other amberjacks; young associated with weed lines or floating debris and may follow sharks and other large fish. Usually less than 10 pounds. |  |
Bank (rock) Seabass |
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Black Drum
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| Black Seabass Structure-loving fish, associated with reefs and rubble OFFSHORE; smaller specimens often found INSHORE finger channels. Common to 1.5 pounds (13 inches). |
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| Bluefish 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. Most west coast catches under 3 pounds, much larger on east coast. |
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| Blue Marlin OFFSHORE, a blue water fish. Largest of the Atlantic marlins, common to 11 feet, known to exceed 2,000 pounds. |
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| Blue Runner Juveniles found OFFSHORE; adults NEARSHORE in schools, but sometimes ranging INSHORE as well. Usually less than 1 pound (11 inches). |
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| Bonefish Primarily INSHORE fish inhabiting shallows of the Florida Keys; found in shallows often less than 1 foot deep, usually over lush grass flats, occasionally over white sand. 3 to 5 pounds. |
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| Bonnethead Shark INSHORE species found in bays and estuaries. Commonly 3 to 4 feet. |
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| Cero Mackerel NEARSHORE and OFFSHORE fish occurring mainly in south Florida, especially over coral reefs and wrecks. Common to 5 pounds. |
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| Cobia Both INSHORE and NEARSHORE inhabiting inlets, bays, and among mangroves; frequently seen around bayou, pilings, and wrecks. Common to 30 pounds. |
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| Crevalle Jack Common in both INSHORE waters and the open sea. Usually 3 to 5 pounds. |
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| Dolphin (male) OFFSHORE in warm waters. Common to 30 pounds. |
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| Fantail Mullet INSHORE, occurring along beaches in the fall. Small mullet, less than 1 pound. |
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| Florida Pompano INSHORE and NEARSHORE waters, especially along sandy beaches, along oyster banks, and over grassbeds, often in turbid water; may be found in water as deep as 130 feet. Usually less than 3 pounds. |
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| Gag Grouper Adults OFFSHORE over rocks and reefs; juveniles occur in seagrass beds INSHORE. Common to 25 pounds. |
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| Goliath Grouper NEARSHORE often around docks, in deep holes, and on ledges; young often occur in estuaries, especially around oyster bars; more abundant in southern Florida than in northern waters. Largest of the groupers. |
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| Greater Amberjack OFFSHORE species associated with rocky reefs, debris, and wrecks, typically in 60 - 240 feet of water; sometimes caught NEARSHORE in south Florida; juveniles associated with floating objects and may occur in water less than 30 feet deep. Common to 40 pounds. |
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| Gulf Flounder INSHORE on sandy or mud bottoms, often ranging into tidal creeks; occasionally caught on NEARSHORE rocky reefs. Common to 2 pounds, generally smaller than southern flounder. |
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| Jolthead Porgy Coastal waters to 45 m (150 ft.)., R.I., Bermuda, and n. Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Size: To 60 cm (2 ft.) and 3.6 kg (8 lbs.). |
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| King Mackerel NEARSHORE and OFFSHORE, occasionally taken from piers running into deep water. Common to 20 pounds. |
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| Longbill Spearfish OFFSHORE in deep water. Relatively small species. |
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| Nassau Grouper Range limited to south Florida; somewhat site specific; smaller individuals NEARSHORE, adults OFFSHORE on rocky reefs. Most catches under 10 pounds. |
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| Palometa Found in clear water along sandy beaches and bays, occasionally found over reefs; most common in south Florida. Rarely over 1 pound, reported to 3 pounds. |
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| Permit OFFSHORE on wrecks and debris, INSHORE on grass flats, sand flats, and in channels; most abundant in south Florida, with smaller specimens from every coastal county. Common to 25 pounds. |
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| Pinfish Found in seagrass beds, bridges, piers, marker pilings, and around natural and artificial reefs; spawn offshore. Usually less than 8 inches. |
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Red Drum (redfish) |
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| Red Grouper Bottom dwelling fish associated with hard bottom; juveniles OFFSHORE along with adults greater than 6 years old; fish from 1 to 6 years occupy NEARSHORE reefs. Common to 15 pounds. |
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| Red Porgy Found: deeper part of continental shelf, but young occur in water as shallow as 18 m (60ft.). Size: to 91 cm(3 ft.) |
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| Rock Seabass OFFSHORE; differs from other sea basses in that it is often found on sandy or muddy bottoms. Small species rarely more than 10 inches. |
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| Sandbar Shark NEARSHORE fish typically found at depths ranging from 60 to 200 feet. Common to 6 feet. |
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| Sand Seatrout 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. Less than 1 pound (10 to 12 inches). |
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Scalloped Hammerhead Shark |
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| Scamp NEARSHORE reefs off the northeastern coast, and on OFFSHORE reefs in the Gulf. Generally smaller than gags or blacks. |
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| Sheepshead 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. |
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| Shortfin Mako Shark OFFSHORE fish often seen near the surface. Commonly 6 to 8 feet (200 to 300 pounds). |
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| Silver Seatrout Most common over sand or sandy mud bottoms OFFSHORE along both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of Florida; migrates into bays during cold months. Usually no more than 1/2 pound (less than 10 inches). |
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| Silver Perch INSHORE in seagrass beds, tidal creeks and rivers, and marshes. Small, not exceeding 9 inches. |
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| Spanish Mackerel INSHORE, NEARSHORE and OFFSHORE, especially over grass beds and reefs; absent from north Florida waters in winter. Average catch less than 2 pounds (20 inches). |
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| Spotted Seatrout INSHORE and/or NEARSHORE over grass, sand and sandy bottoms; move into slow-moving or still, deep waters in cold weather. Common to 4 pounds on west coast, larger on east coast. |
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| Striped Mullet
INSHORE. Roe mullet common to 3 pounds but in aquariums known to reach 12 pounds or more. |
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| Swordfish OFFSHORE species worldwide in temperate and tropic waters; known to frequent depths of 400 to 500 fathoms; also has been seen basking at the surface. Commercially caught swordfish to average of 48 inches. |
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| Weakfish An Atlantic coast fish, possibly found in the extreme southeastern Gulf; adults move INSHORE and north during warm months inhabiting the surf, inlets, bays, channels and estuaries; adults move OFFSHORE and south during cold months; juveniles inhabit estuaries which serve as nurseries. 2 to 3 pounds. |
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| White Grunt Found: from SHORE to the outer reef edge or on OFFSHORE hard bottom to 115 feet; most abundant in water less than 80 feet deep; juveniles INSHORE. Most catches 1.5 pounds (15 inches). |
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| White Marlin OFFSHORE, a blue water fish. Common to 8 feet. |
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| Yellowfin Grouper OFFSHORE on reefs off southern portions of Florida. Common to 20 pounds. |
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| Yellowmouth Grouper OFFSHORE over reefs and rocks; not as common as scamp in the Gulf; range limited to southern Florida. Common to 15 pounds. |
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