Often overlooked because catching a 2½-pounder would be a fish to brag about. Greenish gray on back shading to silvery sides with compressed body and small mouth. Florida pompano (aka, tastiest fish in Florida, maybe the world).State record 20 pounds, 9 ounces.īull, bonnethead, blacktip, probably others. Very tasty but not large, though exceptional fish can exceed 15 pounds. Ambush predator buries itself in mud or sand near pier or bridge pilings, jetties and other structure to hunt. Light to dark brown with brown or black spots. State record 17 pounds, 7 ounces.įlat fish with eyes on one side of the head. Average weight 2 or 3 pounds, though can grow much larger. Likes seagrass habitats and pier pilings at night and tolerates brackish water. Prominent canine teeth in upper and lower jaws. “Typical” fish shape with blackish spots above from head to tail sometimes iridescent blue-purple above. Spotted seatrout (speckled trout or, locally, “speck”).Very tasty but difficult to hook and skin. Average weight 2 or 3 pounds, can reach 20. Likes to hang near structure such as piers or jetties. Gets name from its sheep-like teeth evolved for grazing and crushing. State record 96 pounds.Ĭompressed sides with some 12 black and white alternating stripes. Also caught nearshore and offshore in the Gulf. Catch one and you may hear it croak or drumming, a low-decibel call made with its swim bladder. Barbels along underside of a jaw made to crush shellfish. High arched back with four to five black stripes (younger fish) and silver body. Redfish tolerate freshwater and can exceed 50 pounds. Look for large black spot(s) at base of the upper tailfin and along lower back above the lateral line. Redfish (red drum, channel bass or, locally, “red”)īest fish in the water because of its size (“bull” reds), impressive strength, extreme adaptability, and the places it hunts.SALTWATER INSHORE (including bays and lower reaches of rivers) There are many species of saltwater fish from gobies, pinfish and croakers to whale sharks in the local Gulf. Finally, the list below is not inclusive. Many species, such as redfish, crevalle jack, gulf flounder and bull shark, for example, can be found in all three environments depending on the time of year. The distinction among saltwater inshore, nearshore and offshore fisheries is artificial. The FWC was the source for much of the information below. In Northwest Florida, the state saltwater fishery management boundary stretches 9 nautical miles into the Gulf of Mexico from shore.īelow are characterizations of the saltwater and freshwater fish along the EmeraldCoast. Recreational and commercial saltwater fishing are particularly heavily regulated by the Commission and Federal authorities. Also tap the site for bag and size limits. Go to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website () for information about buying freshwater and saltwater fishing licenses.
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