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Cobia
(Rachycentron canadum)
Cobia coloration is dark brown with a light underside and black fins. They have elongated bodies that are somewhat shaped like a shark’s and allow the cobia to be very strong and swift swimmers. A dark lateral stripe extends the length of the body from the eye to the deeply forked tail.
Once in short supply throughout much of its range, cobia have rebounded significantly and are currently a popular and abundant game fish. They are usually aggressive and more than willing to strike a variety of artificial lures, as well as live baits. Part of the cobia’s appeal is the fact that it can often be caught by casting and retrieving baits and lures, rather than trolling or stillfishing deep down toward the bottom. It is also a popular target for fly anglers. Cobia are not easily spooked by boats, but, ironically cautioned is practiced when approaching one so as to not draw it to the boat. Once hooked, they are strong fighters – in the water and in the boat.
Jewfish
(Goliath Grouper)
(Epinephelus itajara)
The jewfish is the largest of the grouper/sea bass family. It has a lumbering swim style, especially the larger ones. The body is yellowish brown, covered with blackish spots and dark brown splotches, including on the head and fins; these are more prominent on younger specimens. Older specimens are darker overall.
The jewfish is difficult to land because of its enormous weight and strength and its habit of anchoring itself in a hole, between rocks or in some structure when hooked. Many specimens are simply too big to land without extremely heavy tackle and the use of fighting equipment.
Gag Grouper
(Mycteroperca microlepis)
Gag have elongated but compressed bodies typical of all grouper and sea bass. Coloration is brown-gray to olive-gray with dark, irregular wavy markings on the side. The skin has a marbled quality to it, and the color of the gag deepens to dark brown after removal from the water.
Gag are hard fighters and excellent table fare. Because they are found in shallow water more frequently than other grouper, gag are the best grouper for fly-fishing. The generic name “black grouper” is applied to at least three different species of grouper, with the gag possibly being the species incorrectly given that name most often.
Florida Pompano
(Trachinotus carolinus)
Florida pompano are prominent members of the jack family and popular with anglers. They have two characteristics that make them somewhat unique. They are one of only a few fish that are more colorful after death than while alive and they skip across the top of the water when they jump. While alive they are primarily a silver color, but upon death, they become a green-gray or dark blue color on the back with a golden yellow color on the bottom and fins.
Given their modest size, Florida pompano are more than respectable game fish. In fact, they will attack a bait so hard that they usually hook themselves. Like their jack relatives, they are a determined fighter and will make strong runs. However, fishing for Florida pompano requires the use of small hooks because they have small mouths. Overall, they are a good fight when sought on light tackle.
Red Drum
(Redfish)
(Sciaenops ocellatus)
Red drum have a range of possible coloration, from deep blackish-bronze to reddish-copper to silver. Coloration is generally dark on the back and light on the upper two-thirds of the side, then turning white on the lower one-third of the side and on the belly. One of the most distinguishing marks on this species is a large spot on the upper part of the tail base.
One of the most popular and widespread game fish along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, red drum (commonly referred to as redfish) are known for their excellent fighting ability, as well as the many ways they can be caught. Because the red drum occurs in a wide variety of locales, fishing methods vary dramatically, but most involve shallow water techniques.
Sea Trout
(Cynoscion nebulosus)
The spotted seatrout has a long, streamlined body similar to a freshwater trout, though it is actually a member of the drum family. Its coloration is darker over the dorsal area, usually a gray or greenish color shading to a silvery to white tone on the sides and underneath.
The spotted seatrout is one of the most popular game fish among inshore anglers. It is considered a hard striker on a variety of baits, and, although it is not known to be overly strong or a long runner, the seatrout is a thrasher at the surface that often jumps.
Jack Crevalle
(Caranx hippos)
Crevalle jack have a deep, compressed body that is somewhat shaped like the tapering “football” of the tuna family except that the head is more bluntly rounded somewhat like a whale’s. Coloration is greenish gold to bluish green on the back and upper sides, blending to silver or white on the lower side and belly. The tail and anal fin are usually yellowish, and there are black spots on the gill cover and the base of each pectoral fin.
A highly prized game fish because of their ferocious fighting ability, crevalle jack can be found both inshore and at sea, staying near the beaches and grass flats during the warm months while farther out to sea in the colder months. The easiest way to attract them is to put out a chum line. They can be taken by spinning, fly-fishing, trolling or surf casting, and are excellent light tackle fish.
Blue Runner
(Caranx crysos)
Coloration of the blue runner is light olive to bluish-green on the back and upper side blending to silvery gray to golden on the lower side and belly. Its body shape is similar to the tuna, tapering symmetrically toward both ends and shaped like a football.
Because of their small size, blue runner are not targeted by anglers as often as other fish even though their meat is considered tasty and they are good fighters. They are most frequently caught to be used as baitfish for larger game fish, such as sailfish, mahi-mahi, grouper, tuna and king mackerel, and are considered excellent in that capacity.
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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