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FISH SPECIES
Back To The Fish Species Directory Index
Fish Species brought to you in association with
Wickstrom Publishers Inc.
Excerpts from the book Sport
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1

SPOTTED
SEATROUT
(Cynoscion nebulosus)
OTHER NAMES: Trout, Speckled Trout,
Speck
RANGE: All Florida
coasts.
HABITAT: Spotted
Seatrout can be caught in virtually any of Florida's inshore waters, from the outside surf
to far up coastal rivers, and, at times, in fairly deep Gulf water. Most commonly caught
from spring through fall on shallow grassy flats and in grass-lined channels and holes.
During cold snaps, they run for up coastal rivers.
DESCRIPTION: Streamlined
shape; large mouth with prominent canine teeth; color gray or silvery with many prominent
black spots on sides. Background may be quite dark, or gold, when fish are in back bays or
streams.
SIZE: Usually 1-2 pounds; common on both coasts to about
four pounds. Largest fish, both in average size and maximum size, come from East Central
region, where fish to 10 pounds are taken at times and where potential is to 15 pounds or
more. Gulf Coast trout are considered large at 5-8 pounds, but can top 10. World and
Florida records 17 pounds, 7 ounces.
FOOD VALUE: A table favorite.
GAME QUALITIES: Not exceedingly strong or active, but a hard striker on a variety of baits
and quite sporty on light gear. Showy, surface-thrashing fighter but not a long runner.
Sometimes jumps.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Spinning, baitcasting and fly
tackle are all effective and sporting. Best natural baits are live shrimp, live baitfish
and strips of cut Mullet or Pinfish. Most popular lures are bait-tail jigs, swimming plugs
and topwater plugs. Poppers are productive flyrod lures over the flats; large streamers
work in all waters
FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Drifting; Still Fishing.
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2

WEAKFISH
(Cynoscion regalis)
OTHER NAMES: Gray Trout, Northern Trout
RANGE: From North Florida, south to
Cape Canaveral; stragglers perhaps to Fort Pierce on the East Coast.
HABITAT: Most fishing for Weakfish
takes place in the Jacksonville area and Port Canaveral. This species prefers deeper
water, as a rule, than its spotted cousin; channels, deep holes, basins and harbors.
DESCRIPTION: Silhouette similar to the
spotted seatrout, but markings take the form of irregular wavy lines instead of spots.
Prominent canine teeth.
SIZE: Average is 1-3 pounds. Does not grow as large in Florida as in northeastern states,
although fish over 5 pounds are possible. World record 19 pounds, 2 ounces; Florida record
10 pounds.
FOOD VALUE: Very good.
GAME QUALITIES: Less of a surface brawler
than the Speckled Trout, but gives a good account of itself on light gear.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Spinning and baitcasting; fly fishing usually
difficult. Weakfish bite best on live shrimp, but will take live baitfish and strips of
fish. Best lures are jigs, worked slow and deep
FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Drifting; Still Fishing.
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3

SAND
SEATROUT "White Trout"
(Cynoscion arenarius)
OTHER NAMES: Sand Trout
RANGE: All Florida coasts.
HABITAT: Most are caught in deep portions of
bays and channels on the Gulf Coast, but are preset on the Atlantic side as well.
Generally prefers hard sand or shell bottom, but sometimes mixes with Speckled Trout on
grass flats.
DESCRIPTION: Often confused with the
Silver Trout (see next), and both can be confused with the Weakfish (previous) but note
that, with rare exception, the Weakfish is found in the Atlantic and both the others in
the Gulf. This fish is tan or yellowish above and silver below. No spots. Canine teeth
present.
SIZE: Usually one-half to one pound; rarely exceeds 2.
World record 4 pounds, 5 ounces.
FOOD VALUE: Smaller ones with skin on are
tasty panfish. Those over a pound or so produce mild-flavored fillets.
GAME QUALITIES: Short runs. Fun, but no
challenge.
TACKLE
AND BAITS: Light spinning tackle is best. Favored baits are shrimp, live or dead, and
small strips of fish or squid. Small leadhead jigs are tops as artificials.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting;
Drifting; Still Fishing.
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to top Index
4

SILVER
SEATROUT
(Cynoscion nothus)
OTHER NAMES: Silver Trout
RANGE: All Florida coasts, but more plentiful in the upper
half of the state.
HABITAT: Basically, this is a fish of open
water, but most of them are caught by Florida anglers during colder seasons, when they
invade the deep channels of harbors and bays.
DESCRIPTION: Similar in appearance to, and
often confused with, the White Trout (preceding), but is smaller and of a decidedly more
silvery hue overall.
SIZE: Average is 6 to 10 inches; an occasional fish may
reach or slightly exceed one pound.
FOOD VALUE: A fine panfish, but seldom
large enough to make filleting worthwhile. Best prepared by scaling and drawing, then
pan-frying.
GAME QUALITIES: Generally too small to put up
much resistance, but can put a bend in a light spinning rod when being hauled up from deep
water.
TACKLE
AND BAITS: Light spinning tackle with small hooks and pieces of shrimp or cut fish.
Willingly hit leadhead jigs. A tandem rig works very well - made by using a very small jig
as a trailer behind a larger one that sinks faster. Combine the two by tying a foot of
light monofilament line to the eye of the front jig, then tying the eye of the smaller jig
to the other end.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.
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5

RED DRUM
"Redfish"
(Sciaenops ocellatus)
OTHER NAMES: Red Bass, Channel Bass, Drum
RANGE: All Florida coasts.
HABITAT: Most popular fishing areas are along
shell bars and rocky or grassy shorelines and on shallow flats, where they are usually
fished by sight. Reds also forage in the surf of outside beaches nearly everywhere on the
Gulf Coast and along the upper half of the East Coast, especially in the fall. Adults move
offshore to spawn and are sometimes encountered in open water in large schools. They roam
into coastal rivers and creeks at any time of year, and in winter swarm into them, seeking
warmer water.
DESCRIPTION: Usually bronze or reddish
with white underside, but sometimes quite pale all over. Prominent ringed spot or several
spots at base of tail fin; occasionally, without the spot. Silhouette is similar to black
drum and colors can sometimes be confusing in very large fish, but the redfish has no chin
barbels and the black drum never has the tail spot.
SIZE: Caught from less than a pound to 10 or 12 pounds;
30-pounders are not rare, and the potential in Florida is about 60. World record 94
pounds, 2 ounces; Florida record 51 pounds, 8 ounces.
FOOD VALUE: Redfish up to around 10
pounds rank among the favorite fish of most anglers. Red portions of flesh do not have
objectionable taste when fresh. Large Redfish are protected at this writing, and not the
best of fare anyway.
GAME QUALITIES: Fine gamester. Strength,
stamina and fairly long, bullish runs are its trademarks.
TACKLE
AND BAITS: All kinds of casting tackle, including fly, are successfully used on
Redfish of all sizes. Surf rods and light-to-medium saltwater outfits are good for beach,
bridge, pier and offshore fishing. Redfish are ravenous feeders that will take live
baitfish, crabs and shrimp, and also dead or cut baits from the same sources. Live shrimp
and minnows make the very best baits for shallow coastal fishing; live Pinfish, small
Mullet or similar baitfish for angling in deeper water. Most productive artificials are
weedless spoons, plastic-tail jigs and topwater plugs, but many swimming plugs also work.
Large streamers and poppers do the job for fly fishermen.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Drifting; Still
Fishing.
Back to top Index
6

BLACK DRUM
(Pogonias cromis)
OTHER NAMES: Drum, Striped Drum
RANGE: All Florida coasts.
HABITAT: Surf and estuarine areas.
Most consistently productive fisheries for big Drum are found in the St. Marys River
estuary of the northeast coast, the Indian River, Tampa Bay and the Suwannee River
estuary. Like Redfish, small Drum forage along shell bars, shorelines and on shallow
flats. Big fish stick mostly to inside channels and surf.
DESCRIPTION: Somewhat similar to the
Redfish in shape, but usually distinguishable by color, and always by the fact that the
Drum has barbels, or feelers on the underside of the lower jaw. Juvenile Drum have black
vertical stripes on dusky white sides, as do Sheepshead (which see). Only novices will be
confused, however, because Drum lack the prominent sheep-like teeth that give the
Sheepshead its name. The stripes fade with age and adult Drum are usually blackish above
and white below, although some develop a decidedly bronze hue.
SIZE: Drum over 100 pounds have
been caught and specimens weighing 30 to 50 pounds are not rare in many areas. Striped
juveniles generally weigh 1-15 pounds. World record 113 pounds. 1 ounce; Florida record 93
pounds.
FOOD VALUE: Drum to about 6 or 8 pounds
are as tasty as Redfish. Larger ones become quite coarse.
GAME QUALITIES: Strong, bullish fight, but
not so tough as the Redfish, size for size.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Surf tackle and saltwater boat rods are used when
targeting big fish, but even the lunkers can be caught rather easily on spinning and
casting tackle with a bit of patience. Fly fishing is a challenge. Any sort of crustacean,
from shrimp to cut blue crab to whole small crab, makes fine bait for Drum. Cut fish and
squid work fairly well. Drum are not avid lure-chasers but can be taken on slowly worked
jigs in deep water, and by carefully presented streamer flies and jigs on the flats.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Still Fishing.
Back to top Index
7

ATLANTIC
CROAKER
(Micropogonias
undulatus)
OTHER NAMES: Croaker, Hardhead
RANGE: Occurs statewide but is more common in the upper half of Florida.
HABITAT: Likes sand or shell bottom.
It's a regular catch in many surf areas but also can be caught from sloughs and channels
of inside waters, particularly those with soft bottom.
DESCRIPTION: Similar to the Black Drum in
outline, but a much smaller fish. Overall silvery or gold background with sometimes
indistinct wavy lines on upper sides. Like the Black Drum, it has small barbels on
underside of lower jaw.
SIZE: Averages a pound or less, but
sometimes reaches 3 pounds, or perhaps slightly more. World and Florida records 3 pounds,
12 ounces.
FOOD VALUE: Small ones make good panfish;
some are large enough to provide fillets. Either way, the flesh is of a mild flavor.
GAME QUALITIES: Scrappy on very light tackle
but, unfortunately, many are taken on heavy surf gear. Against a light line, they run
fairly well and can also use the waves to good advantage in the surf.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Light spinning or baitcasting; light surf outfits.
Top baits include live and dead shrimp, sand fleas, fiddler crabs, cut squid, cut fish.
Croakers will also take small jigs. The combination of a little jig with a bit of shrimp
on the hook is deadly.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Still Fishing
Back to top Index
8

SILVER PERCH
(Bairdiella
chrysoura)
OTHER NAMES: Yellowtail, Sugar Trout,
Silver Trout
RANGE: Inshore waters, mostly in the
upper half of Florida. Seems to be more plentiful on the Gulf Coast, especially the
Panhandle and Big Bend areas.
HABITAT: Abundant in coastal rivers
and streams during the winter sometimes schooling so thickly that catches could be made
by the dozens, or even hundreds, if an angler were so inclined.
DESCRIPTION: Grayish or steel back,
silvery on sides. Fins and tail yellowish. Confused in name and appearance with the Silver
Trout (which see), but this is not a Seatrout, although related. Absence of canine teeth
is the giveaway.
SIZE: Up to perhaps 10 inches;
common at 4-6 inches.
FOOD VALUE: An excellent panfish; seldom
large enough to fillet. Rolled in meal and deepfried, they are delicious.
GAME QUALITIES: Too small to provide much
sport, but they at least provide some action on many winter days when the sought-after
Redfish and Trout are hard to find.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Light spinning tackle with small hooks and pieces of
shrimp, fish or squid. They readily hit artificials and are easily hooked on very small
jigs.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Still Fishing.
Back to top Index
9

SPOT
(Leiostomus
xanthurus)
OTHER NAMES: Spotted Croaker, Mizzouki
Croaker
RANGE: Common on Atlantic Coast,
except south of Palm Beach County. Also found in lesser numbers along most of the Gulf
Coast.
HABITAT: Very common in the surf, also
bays and inlets.
DESCRIPTION: Easily distinguished from
other Croakers and similar panfish by its forked tail and prominent spot behind the gill
cover. Brassy color with wavy or mottled lines above; fading to white on underside.
SIZE: Averages 6-8 inches; rarely
reaches one pound.
FOOD VALUE: One of the most popular panfish.
GAME QUALITIES: Spirited panfish.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Light spinning tackle, small hooks, pieces of cut
fish, squid or shrimp.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Still Fishing.
Back to top Index
10

NORTHERN
KINGFISH
(Menticirrhus
saxatilis)
OTHER NAMES: Northern Whiting
RANGE: All Florida coasts.
HABITAT: Surf, channels, passes,
inlets and sand bars.
DESCRIPTION: Dark bars are more vivid
than on the Southern Kingfish.
SIZE: Under 1 pound as a rule;
sometimes 2 pounds. World record 1 pound, 4 ounces.
FOOD VALUE: Good.
GAME QUALITIES: Scrappy on light tackle.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Light spinning, casting and surf tackle. Best baits
are sand fleas and pieces of shrimp or squid. Readily hits small jigs and flies. On
bright, calm days, Whiting can be sight-fished at the very edge of the surf along many
beaches.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Still Fishing.
Back to top Index
11

SOUTHERN
KINGFISH
(Menticirrhus
americanus)
OTHER NAMES: SouthernWhiting, King
Whiting
RANGE: All Florida coasts; more
common to Atlantic.
HABITAT: Roams sandy bottom. Abundant
surf fish.
DESCRIPTION: Large head with one barbel at
tip of lower jaw. Flattened belly. Overall silvery color, tannish on top. Indistinct dark
blotches on side.
SIZE: Usually less than a pound.
Sometimes 2 pounds. World record 1 pound, 14 ounces.
FOOD VALUE: Bland but good.
GAME QUALITIES: Runs well against very light
tackle.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Light spinning, casting and surf tackle. Best baits
are sand fleas and pieces of shrimp or squid. Readily hits small jigs and flies. On
bright, calm days, Whiting can be sight-fished at the very edge of the surf along many
beaches.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Still Fishing.
Back to top Index
12

GULF KINGFISH
(Menticirrhus
littoralis)
OTHER NAMES: Gulf Whiting
RANGE: This is the common Whiting
of the Gulf Coast, but occurs on Atlantic side as well.
HABITAT: Surf, channels, passes,
inlets and sand bars.
DESCRIPTION: Body shape same as Southern
Kingfish, but is silvery all over with no pattern on sides. Tail black-tipped.
SIZE: Under 1 pound as a rule;
sometimes 2 pounds.
FOOD VALUE: Good.
GAME QUALITIES: Scrappy on light tackle.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Light spinning, casting and surf tackle. Best baits
are sand fleas and pieces of shrimp or squid. Readily hits small jigs and flies. On
bright, calm days, Whiting can be sight-fished at the very edge of the surf along many
beaches.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Still Fishing.
Back to top Index
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