GOTTA BELIEVE CHARTERS

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FISHING INFORMATION PAGE

This page is divided into three sections

Ø The first section is all about OFFSHORE SPORT FISHING (Bill Fishing)

Ø The second section is all about INSHORE REEF FISHING (Bottom Fishing)

Ø The third section is all about INSHORE TROLLING (Light Tackle trolling)

Scroll down to each section and you will see information

of the different types of fish that you can catch on the

three different types of charters that we offer. You will

also be able to get an idea of how many hours each trip

is. so you can call or fill out our contact form.

OFFSHORE SPORT FISHING

Florida pelagic species (Billfishing) normally 14 to 24 Hour trips. Longer trips available for Sword fishing. Call Bobby Robinette for more detailed information. (850) 234-9409

Blue Marlin

Family Istiophoridae, BILLFISHES
Makaira nigricans
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: color cobalt blue on top shading to silvery white on bottom; upper jaw elongated in form of spear; dorsal fin pointed at front end; pectoral fin and anal fin pointed; lateral line reticulated (interwoven like a net), difficult to see in large specimens; no dark spots on dorsal fin; body covered with embedded scales ending in one or two sharp points.

Similar Fish: white marlin, Tetrapterus albidus (white has rounded tip of pectoral and anal fins, and spots on the dorsal fin).

Where found: OFFSHORE, a blue water fish.

Size: largest of the Atlantic marlins, common to 11 feet, known to exceed 2,000 pounds.

*Florida Record: 980 lbs., 8 ozs.

Remarks: all of trophy size are females; males do not exceed 300 pounds; make trans-Atlantic migrations; spawning procedures unknown; feeds on squid and pelagic fishes, including blackfin tuna and frigate mackerel.

Sailfish

Family Istiophoridae, BILLFISHES
Istiophorus platypterus
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: color dark blue on top, brown-blue laterally, silvery white underbelly; upper jaw elongated in form of spear; first dorsal greatly enlarged in the form of a sail, with many black spots, its front squared off, highest at its midpoint; pelvic fins very narrow, reaching almost to the anus; body covered with embedded scales, blunt at end; lateral line curved above pectoral, then straight to base of tail.

Similar Fish: white marlin, Tetrapterus albidus; young blue marlin, Makaira nigricans (spectacular sail-like dorsal of sailfish is most notable difference).

Where found: OFFSHORE species, in south Florida associated with waters near the Gulf Stream; off the Panhandle near the 100 foot fathom line.

Size: common to 7 feet.

*Florida Record: 116 lbs.

Remarks: rapid growing species, reaching 4 to 5 feet in a single year; swims at speeds up to 50 knots; feeds on the surface or at mid-depths on smaller pelagic fishes and squid.

Swordfish

Family Xiphiidae, SWORDFISHES
Xiphias gladius
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: color of back variable, black, greyish blue, brown, metallic purple, or bronze; sides dusky; underbelly dirty white; long, flat, sword-like upper jaw; lacks scales, teeth, and pelvic fins; single keel on each side of body in front of tail; first dorsal fin high, rigid and short; large eyes.

Similar Fish: no close resemblance to other billfishes.

Where found: 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.

Size: once averaged 200 pounds but overharvest has reduced size of commercially caught swordfish to average of 48 inches.

*Florida Record: 612 lbs., 12 ozs.

Remarks: large swordfish are all females, males seldom exceeding 200 pounds; except when spawning, females believed to prefer water cooler than that favored by males; feeds on squid, octopus, and pelagic fishes of all kinds.

YELLOWFIN TUNA

White Marlin

Family Istiophoridae, BILLFISHES
Tetrapterus albidus
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: color of body dark blue to chocolate brown, shading to silvery white underbelly; noticeable spots on dorsal fin; upper jaw elongated in shape of spear; body covered with embedded scales with a single sharp point; tips of first dorsal, pectoral, and first anal fins rounded; lateral line curved above pectoral fin, then going in straight line to base of tail.

Similar Fish: blue marlin, Makaira nigricans.

Where found: OFFSHORE, a blue water fish.

Size: common to 8 feet.

*Florida Record: 161 lbs.

Remarks: uses its bill to stun fast-moving fishes, then turns to consume them; spawning procedures unknown; ranges throughout the Atlantic and Caribbean; feeds on squid and pelagic fishes.

Longbill Spearfish

Family Istiophoridae, BILLFISHES
Tetrapturus pfluegeri
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: color of body dark blue shading to silvery, white underneath; dorsal fin bluish, others brown-black; two dorsal fins, the first lengthy, its front forming a peak; two anal fins, the anus well in front of the first; upper jaw prolonged into spear, its cross section round.

Similar Fish: white marlin, Tetrapterus albidus.

Where found: OFFSHORE in deep water.

Size: relatively small species.

*Florida Record: 61 lbs.

Remarks: uncommon; available data indicate that spearfish matures at 2 years of age and rarely lives past 4 to 5 years; they are pelagic and feed at or near the surface, mainly on fishes and squid; named for Al Pflueger, Sr., founder of Pflueger Taxidermy.

Dolphin

Family Coryphaenidae, DOLPHINS
Coryphaena hippurus
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: bright greenish blue above, yellow on sides, with capability of flashing purple, chartreuse, and a wide range of other colors; body tapers sharply from head to tail; irregular blue or golden blotches scattered over sides; anterior profile of head on adult males is nearly vertical; head of females more sloping; the single dark dorsal fin extends from just behind the head to the tail; anal fin margin concave and extending from anus to tail.

Similar Fish: pompano dolphin, C. equisetis. The pompano dolphin has squarish tooth patch on tongue (oval tooth patch on dolphin) and fewer dorsal rays (48 to 55 versus 55 to 65 on dolphin).

Where found: OFFSHORE in warm waters.

Size: common to 30 pounds.

*Florida Record: 77 lbs, 12 ozs.

Remarks: one of the fastest-growing fish, thought to live no more than 5 years; swimming speed is estimated at 50 knots; spawns in warm ocean currents throughout much of the year; young found in sargassum weed; feeds on flying fish and squid.

WAHOO

TRIPLETAIL

BOTTOM FISHING (Normally) 6, 8,10,12,14 Hour trips. longer trips up to 18 Hours available. Call Bobby Robinette for more

information at (850) 234-9409.

Black Grouper

Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Mycteroperca bonaci
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: olive or gray body coloration with black blotches and brassy spots; gently rounded preopercle.

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.

*Florida Record: no Florida record because of identity confusion with gag, which are mistakenly called "black grouper."

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.

Red Grouper

Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Epinephelus morio
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: color brownish red; lining of mouth scarlet-orange; blotches on sides in unorganized pattern; second spine of dorsal fin longer than others; pectoral fins longer than pelvic fins; squared off tail; margin of soft dorsal black with white at midfin; black dots around the eyes.

Similar Fish: Nassau grouper, E. striatus.

Where found: 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.

Size: common to 15 pounds.

*Florida Record: 39 lbs., 8 ozs.

Remarks: spawns in April and May; prefer water temperatures between 66 and 77 degrees F; undergoes sex reversal, young individual females becoming males as they age; lifespan of at least 25 years; feeds on squid, crustaceans, and fish.

Greater Amberjack

Family Carangidae, JACKS and POMPANOS
Seriola dumerili
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

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; sometimes caught NEARSHORE in south Florida; juveniles associated with floating objects and may occur in water less than 30 feet deep.

Size: common to 40 pounds.

*Florida Record: 142 lbs.

Remarks: largest of the jacks; thought to spawn OFFSHORE throughout most of the year; feeds on squid, fish, and crustaceans.

Lesser Amberjack

Family Carangidae, JACKS and POMPANOS
Seriola fasciata
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: olive green or brownish black and silver sides; dark band (variably present) extends upward from eye; juveniles have split or wavy bars on sides; proportionately larger eye and deeper body than greater amberjack.

Similar Fish: other Seriola.

Where found: NEASHORE and OFFSHORE, apparently living deeper than other Seriola (commonly 180 - 410 feet deep).

Size: usually under 10 pounds.

*Florida Record: n/a

Remarks: smallest of the amberjacks; believed to spawn OFFSHORE; adults eat fish and squid.

Red Snapper

Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPERS
Lutjanus campechanus
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: color pinkish red over entire body, whitish below; long triangular snout; anal fin sharply pointed; no dark lateral spot.

Similar Fish: vermilion snapper, R. aurorubens.

Where found: OFFSHORE on the continental shelf, more plentiful off the panhandle than in south or middle Florida.

Size: to 20 pounds.

*Florida Record: 46 lbs., 8 ozs.

Remarks: juveniles occur over sandy or mud bottoms and are often taken in shrimp trawls; adults may live more than 20 years, and attain 35 pounds or more; sexual maturity attained at age 2; spawns June to October; feeds on crustaceans and fish.

Lane Snapper

Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPERS
Lutjanus synagris
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: color silvery-pink to reddish with short, irregular pink and yellow lines on its sides; diffuse black spot, about as large as the eye; the dorsal fin centered above the lateral line; outer margin of caudal fin blackish.

Similar Fish: mutton snapper, L. analis (anal fin rounded in lane snapper, pointed in mutton).

Where found: juveniles INSHORE over grass beds or shallow reefs; adults OFFSHORE; most common in south Florida.

Size: usually less than 1 pound.

*Florida Record: 6 lbs., 6 ozs.

Remarks: spawns March through September; sexually mature at 6 inches; feeds on bottom, taking crustaceans, mollusks, and fish.

White Grunt

Family Haemulidae, GRUNTS
Haemulon plumieri
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: body color light bluish-gray, head with horizontal blue stripes, white underbelly; black blotch on preopercle; margin of each scale bronze; large bright orange mouth; scales above lateral line larger than scales below lateral line.

Similar Fish: other grunts.

Where 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.

Size: most catches 1.5 pounds (15 inches).

*Florida Record: n/a

Remarks: audible grunting is produced by grinding of the pharyngeal teeth, with air bladder acting as amplifyer; spawning occurs on OFFSHORE hard bottoms or reefs from May through June; feeds on crustaceans, mollusks and small fishes.

Red Porgy

Family Sparidae, PORGIES
Pagrus pagrus
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: (Common name White Snapper) the only American porgy with a near nostril that is round (not slit-like); head and body silvery red, with many tiny blue spots.

Where found: deeper part of continental shelf, but young occur in water as shallow as 18 m (60ft.)

Size: to 14 inchs

Gag

Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Mycteroperca microlepis
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

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.

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.

*Florida Record: 71 lbs., 3 ozs.

Remarks: forms spawning aggregations in water no shallower than 120 feet in Middle Grounds area, January through March; current reseach 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.

Scamp

Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Mycteroperca phenax
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: color light gray or brown; large adults with elongated caudal-fin rays; reddish brown spots on sides that tend to be grouped into lines; some yellow around corners of mouth.

Similar Fish: yellowmouth grouper, M. interstitialis.

Where found: NEARSHORE reefs off the northeastern coast, and on OFFSHORE reefs in the Gulf.

Size: generally smaller than gags or blacks.

*Florida Record: 28 lbs.

Remarks: spawns in late spring; feeds on small fish, squid, and crustaceans; undergoes sex transformation from female to male as it becomes older.

Black Sea Bass

Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Centropristis striata
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: basic color dark brown or black; dorsal fin has rows and stripes of white on black; large males have irridescent blue and ebony markings, and fatty hump in front of dorsal fin; females may have indistinct vertical barrings; topmost ray of caudal fin much elongated in adults; caudal may be tri-lobed; sharp spine near posterior margin of gill cover.

Similar Fish: bank sea bass C. ocyurus; other Centropristis.

Where found: structure-loving fish, associated with reefs and rubble OFFSHORE; smaller specimens often found INSHORE finger channels.

Size: common to 1.5 pounds (13 inches).

*Florida Record: 5 lbs., 1 oz.

Remarks: spawns January through March; protogynous hermaphrodites, older females becoming breeding males; omnivorous bottom feeders, diet including small fish, crustaceans, and shellfish.

Banded Rudderfish

Family Carangidae, JACKS and POMPANOS
Seriola zonata
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: fish less than 11 inches long have dark band from eye to first dorsal fin and six prominent bars on body; larger fish are bluish, greenish, or brown; soft dorsal base about twice the length of the anal fin; tail-lobe white tipped.

Similar Fish: other Seriola.

Where found: 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.

Size: usually less than 10 pounds.

*Florida Record: n/a

Remarks: adults feed on fish and shrimp; spawns OFFSHORE most of year.

Vermilion Snapper

Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPERS
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

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.

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.

*Florida Record: n/a

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.

Gray Snapper (mangrove snapper)

Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPERS
Lutjanus griseus
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

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.

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.

*Florida Record: 16 lbs., 8 ozs.

Remarks: spawns June through August; feeds on crustaceans and small fish

JOLTHEAD PORGY

Family Sparidae, PORGIES
Calamus bajonado
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: Generally silvery to brassy, with a bluish cast. Front of head brown, with blue line along lower rim of eye; a whitish stripe below eye, and another between eye and mouth; corner of mouth orange.

Where found: 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.).

Remarks: Regarded as a good fish,

Rock Sea Bass

Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Centropristis philadelphica
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: color olive-brown or bronze, with dark blotches forming vertical bars; dark black blotch on middle of dorsal fin base; tip of lower jaw purplish; bright blue and orange stripes and markings on head and fins; fully scaled nape; tail tri-lobed in adults.

Similar Fish: bank sea bass C. ocyurus; other Centropristis.

Where found: OFFSHORE; differs from other sea basses in that it is often found on sandy or muddy bottoms.

Size: small species rarely more than 10 inches.

*Florida Record: n/a

Remarks: spawns January through March; young adults are predominently female, transforming into males as they grow older; maximum size about 10 inches.

GRAY TRIGGER FISH

Inshore fishing (trolling trips) normally 4 to 6 Hour trips. These trips are usally targeted to King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel. Call Bobby Robinette for detailed information At (850) 234-9409.

King Mackerel

Family Scombridae, MACKERELS and TUNAS
Scomberomorous cavalla
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

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.

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.

*Florida Record: 90 lbs.

Remarks: schooling fish that migrates fom 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.

Dolphin

Family Coryphaenidae, DOLPHINS
Coryphaena hippurus
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Similar Fish: pompano dolphin, C. equisetis. The pompano dolphin has squarish tooth patch on tongue (oval tooth patch on dolphin) and fewer dorsal rays (48 to 55 versus 55 to 65 on dolphin).

Where found: OFFSHORE in warm waters.

Size: common to 30 pounds.

*Florida Record: 77 lbs, 12 ozs.

Tarpon

Family Elopidae, TARPONS
Megalops atlanticus
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

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.

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 catchs 40 to 50 pounds.

*Florida Record: 243 lbs.

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.

Bluefish

Family Pomatomidae, BLUEFISHES
Pomatomus saltatrix
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

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.

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.

*Florida Record: 22 lbs., 3 ozs.

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.

Florida Pompano

Family Carangidae, JACKS and POMPANOS
Trachinotus carolinus
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: greenish gray on back, shading to silvery sides; fish in dark waters showing gold on throat, pelvic, and anal fins; deep flattened body with small mouth; no scutes; 22 to 27 soft dorsal rays; 20 to 23 soft anal rays; origin of anal fin slightly behind origin of second dorsal.

Similar Fish: permit, T. falcatus, palometa, T. goodei. The permit is deeper bodied; dorsal body profile not strongly angled at insertion of second dorsal fin; pompano rarely grow larger than 6 pounds, permit common to 40 pounds.

Where found: 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.

Size: usually less than 3 pounds.

*Florida Record: 8 lbs, 1 oz.

Remarks: spawns OFFSHORE between March and September; feeds on mollusks and crustaceans, especially sand fleas; local movements are influenced by the tide, and seasonal movements are influenced by temperature.

Spanish Mackerel

Family Scombridae, MACKERELS and TUNAS
Scomberomorous maculatus
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

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.

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).

*Florida Record: 12 lbs.

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.

Cobia (ling)

Family Rachycentridae, COBIA
Rachycentron canadum
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

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.

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.

*Florida Record: 103 lbs., 12 ozs.

Remarks: spawns in spring and early summer; feeds on crabs, squid, and small fish.

Ladyfish

Family Elopidae, TARPONS
Elops saurus
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: terminal mouth, slender body, small scales; last dorsal ray not elongated; head small and pointed.

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.

*Florida Record: 4 lbs., 10 ozs.

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.

Blue Runner

Family Carangidae, JACKS and POMPANOS
Caranx crysos
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: color light olive to bluish green above; silvery gray to golden below; frequently black spot on operculum; readily distinguished from crevalle jack by lack of black blotch on pectoral fin; tail tips blackish.

Similar Fish: bluefish, Pomatomus saltarix, other Caranx.

Where found: juveniles found OFFSHORE; adults NEARSHORE in schools, but sometimes ranging INSHORE as well.

Size: usually less than 1 pound (11 inches).

*Florida Record: 7 lbs.

Remarks: matures by 9 to 10 inches; spawns OFFSHORE from January through August; young form schools associated with floating objects, and have been observed living inside the bell of jellyfish; adults feed on fish, shrimp, and squid.

Red Drum (redfish)

Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS
Sciaenops ocellatus
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

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.

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.

*Florida Record: 51 lbs., 8 ozs.

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.

LITTLE TUNA

BONITA