Almaco Jack
OFFSHORE
Wide-ranging in offshore waters, not a common catch; young are associated with Sargassum. Common to 35 inches (10 pounds).
Banded Rudderfish
NEARSHORE & OFFSHORE
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 under 24 inches (10 pounds).
Greater Amberjack
OFFSHORE
Offshore species associated with rocky reefs, debris and wrecks, typically in 60 to 240 feet of water. Sometimes caught nearshore in south Florida. Juveniles associate with floating objects and may occur in water less than 30 feet deep. Up to 60 inches (176 pounds); common around 40 inches and under 40 pounds.
Crevalle Jack
INSHORE & OPEN WATERS
Common both inshore and in open waters. Up to 20 pounds and common at 3 to 5 pound.
Gray (Mangrove) Snapper
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Also known as mangrove snapper, mango or black snapper. Coastal waters near structure such as reefs, mangroves and seagrass. Juveniles may enter freshwater. Common to 24 inches (10 pounds).
Vermilion Snapper
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Offshore over structure. Up to 24 inches (6 pounds); common to 14 inches and under 2 pounds.
Gray Triggerfish
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Hard-bottoms, reefs and ledges in water depths that exceed 80 feet. Up to 17 inches.
Sheepshead
INSHORE & NEARSHORE
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: Up to 36 inches; common to 13 inches.
Red Drum (redfish)
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Juveniles are an inshore fish, migrating out of the estuaries at about 30 inches (4 years) and joining the spawning population offshore. Up to 61 inches.
Red Snapper
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Offshore near structure. Juveniles are found over sand or mud bottoms. Up to 36 inches (35 pounds).
Black Drum
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Inshore fish common to bays, river mouths and lagoons. Bottom dwellers, often found around oyster beds, docks and bridge pilings. May also be found offshore. Juveniles found in estuaries. Up to 67 inches.
Gag Grouper
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Coastal waters near structure such as rocky bottoms, reefs and drop-off walls in water over 60 feet deep. Juveniles found in estuaries and seagrass beds. Up to 36 inches (50 pounds); common to 25 pounds.
Red Grouper
NEARSHORE & OFFSHORE
Bottom-dwelling fish found over hard and muddy bottoms. Juveniles found offshore along with adults greater than 6 years old. Fish from 1 to 6 years occupy nearshore reefs. Up to 42 inches (50 pounds); common to 20 inches (15 pounds).
Scamp
NEARSHORE & OFFSHORE
Nearshore and offshore reefs, ledges and rocky bottoms Generally smaller than gags or blacks. Common to 12 inches, but may reach up to 42 inches.
Black Seabass
NEARSHORE & OFFSHORE
Coastal waters near structure and rocky bottoms. Smaller specimens are often found inshore in finger channels. Up to 24 inches (8 pounds); common to 12 inches (1.5 pounds).
Sand Perch
NEARSHORE & OFFSHORE
Coastal waters, including bays, seagrass beds and shallow banks. Up to 12 inches.
Bank Sea Bass
OFFSHORE
Coastal waters over hard bottom areas. Up to 12 inches.
Cobia
INSHORE & NEARSHORE
Cobia are found in nearshore and inshore waters with inlets and bays. Cobia are frequently found around buoys, pilings and wrecks in these areas. Up to 6 feet (150 pounds); common from 10 to 50 pounds.
Tripletail
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Found in bays and estuaries to offshore waters. Associate strongly with floating objects such as buoys or channel markers. Up to 42 inches.
King Mackerel
OFFSHORE
Coastal to offshore waters. Often around piers. They may occasionally be found in deep water. Up to 72 inches.
Spanish Mackerel
INSHORE, NEARSHORE & OFFSHORE
Prevalent throughout Florida waters: inshore, offshore and nearshore. Frequently found over grass beds and reefs. Absent from north Florida waters in winter. Up to 36 inches.
Tarpon
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Primarily inshore fish; adults spawn offshore. Tarpon are found throughout Florida’s coastal environment during the summer months. Up to 8 feet (300 pounds).
Florida Pompano
INSHORE & NEARSHORE
Inshore and nearshore waters, especially along sandy beaches, oyster bars and over seagrass beds, often in turbid water. Found in water as deep as 130 feet. Up to 24 inches (8 pounds).
Permit
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Offshore near structure; inshore over grass flats, sand and in channels. Common to 50 pounds.
Gulf Flounder
INSHORE & NEARSHORE
Inshore on sandy or mud bottoms, often ranging into tidal creeks. Occasionally caught on nearshore rocky reefs. Common to 14 inches (2 pounds).
Spotted Seatrout
INSHORE & NEARSHORE
Coastal waters over sand bottoms or seagrass beds. Up to 39 inches (17 pounds); common to 14 inches.
Sand Seatrout
INSHORE & NEARSHORE
Coastal waters over sand bottoms in the Gulf of Mexico (rare in Atlantic waters). Usually less than 15 inches (1 pound).
Ladyfish
INSHORE
Inshore fish, found in bays and estuaries; occasionally enter freshwater. 36 inches (2 to 3 pounds).
Bluefish
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Young usually found inshore during spring and summer, moving offshore to join adults in fall and winter. Most Gulf coast catches under 3 pounds.
Tomtate
INSHORE & NEARSHORE
Coastal waters. Up to 10 inches (1 pound). Easily caught on small hooks baited with squid or cut bait.
Red Porgy
INSHORE & NEARSHORE
Coastal waters over rocky or sandy bottoms. Up to 36 inches.
Jolthead Porgy
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Coastal waters to 45 m (150 ft.). They range from Rhode Island to Bermuda, and from the northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil.. Up to 24 inches.
Knobbed Porgy
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Coastal waters over hard bottoms from North Carolina to south Florida and the entire Gulf of Mexico. Up to 21 inches.
Sailfish
OFFSHORE
The sailfish is Florida's state saltwater fish. Offshore waters, Up to 11 feet (220 pounds).
Dolphinfish (male)
OFFSHORE
Offshore in warm waters. Young live in floating sargassum weed. Up to 63 inches (88 pounds); common to 30 pounds.
Wahoo
OFFSHORE
Offshore waters; generally not in schools. Up to 98 inches.
Little Tunny
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
One of the most common tuna species in our area; feed on small fishes and invertebrates. Up to 48 inches.
Blackfin Tuna
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Coastal/inshore to offshore waters. Common to 28 inches.
Barracuda
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Range inshore to offshore. Young found inshore in seagrass beds. Consuming larger barracuda may cause ciguatera poisoning. Up to 106 pounds.
Shortfin Mako Shark
OFFSHORE
Offshore fish often seen near the surface. Up to 12 feet.
Sandbar Shark
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Coastal and offshore waters, typically found at depths ranging from 60 to 200 feet. Prohibited from harvest in Florida state waters. May enter estuaries. Up to 8 feet.
Blacktip Shark
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Coastal to offshore waters. Blacktips often come inshore in large schools, particularly in association with Spanish mackerel. Frequently, the most common shark in clear-water cuts and along beaches in Florida and Bahamas. Up to 6.5 feet.
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark
INSHORE & OFFSHORE
Coastal to offshore waters. Prohibited from harvest in state waters. Up to 12 feet.