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Tarpon
(Megalops atlanticus)
Considered one of the world’s premier saltwater gamefish, the tarpon is a large and powerful specimen. Its long, thick and streamlined body, which is covered in large scales, is a blue-gray to green-gray in color on its back and varies in darkness from silver to nearly black. On it sides and belly, the tarpon is a shiny silver.
Because of its strength, stamina and fighting (often for hours) and jumping abilities, the tarpon is one of the most sought after fish in salt water. The tarpon’s bursts of speed, as well as spectacular leaps that can reach 10 feet, can test the skill of the most experienced angler. Anglers are often satisfied just to see a few leaps before a powerful tarpon can shake free of a hook. Making the tarpon an even more challenging catch, they will mix surface sprints with deep-water runs.
Tarpon are easily lost on one of their powerful jumps or fast runs. The tarpon’s bony mouth and tough gill plate make it a necessity to have extremely sharp and strong hooks as well as strong leaders. Standard tackle for pursing tarpon includes at least 200 yards of 12 to 20-pound line on a baitcasting rod. Flycasters should use at least a 10-pound tippet.
Permit
(Trachinotus falcatus)
Permit are members of the jack family that have a dark, somewhat shiny blue, gray and/or greenish color on the back. Their sides are silvery, while the underside often is yellow. In addition, many permit have a distinctive orange-yellow area on the abdomen. The fins are dark, though the anal fin may be somewhat orange on the front lobe.
Permit are a very popular sportfish, especially around Florida and the Caribbean. This popularity comes in part from their abundance in shallow waters, catchability on light tackle, fighting nature and great taste. In addition, because they are a “shy” fish, there is a challenge to locating, enticing and hooking permit.
Permit are one of the famed “Big Three” saltwater game fish for fly-anglers, the other two being bonefish and tarpon.
Bonefish
(Albula vulpes)
Recognized as one of the fastest fish in the sea, the elusive bonefish is found almost exclusively in shallow waters. Their long, slender bodies are streamlined and built for speed and power. They are distinguished by their bright silver coloring, small downturned mouth, and snout-like nose.
In addition to having a reputation as one of the most easily spooked saltwater fish, bonefish can swim at lightning-fast speeds. These qualities make for challenging, yet rewarding, fishing. Bonefish are known to scatter at the sound of boat engines and the splash of landing lures or bait. Consequently, bonefish are generally best pursued when wading or from a push-poled boat. Lures and bait should be presented well ahead of a traveling bonefish. Due to its relative quietness, fly-fishing is popular method of catching bonefish, although spinning tackle is widely used.
Hogfish
(Lachnolaimus maximus)
Although called hog snapper, this species is actually a member of the wrasse family. They are relatively large and colorful compared to other members of this family. The color of hog snapper varies greatly and is influenced by age, gender, habitat and immediate environment.
Because they are bottom feeders, bottom-fishing tactics are usually employed. Light spinning and bait-casting or conventional gear with line weights of 8 to 15 pounds is common. Effective natural baits are crabs, shrimp and shovelnosed lobster. Hog snapper generally ignore artificial lures, though small jigs tipped with natural bait can often work. The best action usually occurs very early or late in the day, as well as at night.
Spanish Mackerel
(Scomberomorus maculatus)
Spanish mackerel have elongated, slender bodies that allow them to be very fast swimmers. Coloration is bluish or olive on the back and silvery on the belly and the sides. There are also many bronze or yellow spots on the sides. The front part of the first dorsal fin is black. The lateral line gradually curves downward toward the tail fin.
Spanish mackerel are considered good table fare and nice candidates for light tackle because of their fast runs and hard fighting abilities. Because they are attracted to shiny objects fishing for them with small, shiny metal lures (such as spoons) is effective. They also readily hit small baitfish patterns fished with fly-casting tackle. Spinning is also effective because Spanish mackerel often hit fast-moving lures. The best live bait is shrimp or small, silvery baitfish. Because they have sharp teeth that can cut through line, heavy monofilament line should be used. When a large school of them is found, angling action is often fast and furious.
Cero Mackerel
(Scomberomorus regalis)
Cero are long and slender fish with iridescent blue-green backs and silvery sides. Similar to the Spanish mackerel, the cero has a series of yellow, orange or brown streaks and spots on the upper portion of its sides. Different from the Spanish mackerel, the cero has a bronze-colored stripe that gently curves from the pectoral fin to the base of the tail fin.
Cero are known for their long runs and are especially sporty for anglers using light tackle. Similar to other mackerel, trolling with feathers or natural bait is an effective strategy for cero. The best natural baits are silvery baitfish and live shrimp. Jigs and silver spoons are the most effective lures, although others will work as well. Wire leaders are often used to compensate for the cero’s sharp teeth.
Gray Snapper
(Mangrove)
(Lutjanus griseus)
Gray snapper are long, slender fish with high-backed bodies that vary in color. They can be dark green, dark gray or dark brown. Gray snapper are gray on the bottom with a hint of red. Some specimens, particularly the young, have a dark stripe that runs from the eye down the side of the fish.
The variety of locations and methods of fishing for gray snapper make the fish an angler’s favorite, and they are generally found year round. Anglers can fish from a boat or various shoreline locations. Fishing the bottom near underwater surfaces is the best technique for catching gray snapper.
Lane Snapper
(Lutjanus synagris)
Lane snapper are short, compact fish that are pink to red above the lateral line and often have a green tinge on the back and sides. They have 8 to 10 golden, horizontal stripes that run down the side of the body. Lane snapper can be distinguished from other snapper by a large, black spot that is above the lateral line on the back portion of the body, though this spot is also lacking on a few lane snapper specimens.
Though they don’t reach the sizes of red and other snappers, they provide a good fight when caught on light tackle. They are bottom feeders that can be fished from bridges, piers and boats alike. Many lane snapper are caught near grass beds and coral reefs, over shallow and moderately deep water. Light spinning gear with 6- or 12-pound test line is suitable for even the largest lane snapper. They prefer live bait or cut fish to artificial lures, and many anglers employ chumming tactics to improve their odds.
This site is dedicated to my beautiful little boy Colton, who may be gone from my world physically, but will be in my heart, soul, and on my boat with me....Forever.
And to my grandma, who let me chase my dreams and always gave me time to catch
"just one more."
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