|
| SECTIONS |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
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
Fish of Florida a must for every tackle box and boat in
and around Florida waters!!! Get your copy now!! Other great titles
include Baits, Rigs & Tackle!
1
SHEEPSHEAD
(Archosargus probatocephalus)
OTHER NAMES: Convict Fish Bait-stealer
RANGE: All Florida salt waters.
HABITAT: Areas of rocky bottom, from far up coastal creeks and rivers, to
well offshore. Loves dock and bridge pilings, artificial reefs and any other structure
that wears barnacles and/or harbors crabs. Forages for crustaceans, at times, on shallow
soft-bottom flats in the manner of Redfish or Bonefish.
DESCRIPTION: Black vertical bands stand out against dull white, gray or
yellowish background. The mouth is full of massive, protruding teeth that give the fish
its name, and distinguish it from the juvenile Black Drum , the only fish with which it is
likely to be confused. Spines of the dorsal and anal fins are heavy and sharp.
SIZE: Common from less than a pound to 4 pounds. Fairly plentiful at 57
pounds. Fish approaching 10 pounds, and occasionally surpassing 10, are taken each year in
North Florida, especially from offshore wrecks and navigation markers in late winter and
spring. World record 221 pounds, 4 ounces; Florida record 15 pounds, 2 ounces.
FOOD VALUE: One of the best, thanks in great part to its shellfish diet.
GAME QUALITIES: Not an aggressive strike; very tough on light tackle. Pulls hard and uses
flat shape to advantage.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Light spinning and
baitcasting tackle are tops for sport, but rodtip should not be too soft, as the tough and
toothy mouth makes it hard to set a hook. Best baits are fiddlers or other small crabs;
cut pieces of blue crab; live or fresh-dead shrimp (threaded on the hook); pieces of
oysters and clams. Sheepshead will readily hit slow-moving jigs tipped with these baits
and, occasionally, will take the bare jig.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Still Fishing.
Back
to top Index
21
PINFISH
(Lagodon
rhomboides)
OTHER NAMES: Spanish Porgy, Shiner, Sargo, Chopo Sina
RANGE: All Florida coasts.
HABITAT: Small pinfish swarm over inshore grass flats in warm or
temperate weather, retreating to deeper water with dropping temperatures. They also can be
found around other cover, such as rocks and bars.
DESCRIPTION: Silvery with many narrow longitudinal yellow lines and,
sometimes, dim vertical bars. Dark patch just behind gill cover. Spines of dorsal and anal
fin are sharp, hence the name.
SIZE: Most run 3-6 inches, but may range as high as a pound or more.
World record 3 pounds, 5 ounces.
FOOD VALUE: Only the largest are really suitable for the table; small
ones have excessive and tiny bones.
GAME QUALITIES: An aggressive striker and zippy fighter, much like a
small Jack.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Bits of cut shrimp, fish,
or bacon, fished on tiny hooks with canepoles or spinning outfits, will catch the most.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.
Back
to top Index
3
SPOTTAIL PINFISH
(Diplodus
holbrooki)
OTHER NAMES: Spot Porgy, San Pedra
RANGE: All Florida coasts.
HABITAT: Seems to roam farther
offshore than the Pinfish, although the two often mix around shorelines.
DESCRIPTION: Somewhat rounder in shape than the Pinfish. Color is
brownish above, silvery below. The name comes from a black patch on caudal peduncle.
SIZE: Averages 6-8 inches; grows to a pound or so.
FOOD VALUE: Often large enough to make a decent panfish
but watch those
bones!
GAME QUALITIES: A good fighter for its size.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Light spinning outfits
with cut shrimp, squid or fish.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.
Back to
top Index
4
SILVER PORGY
(Diplodus argenteus)
RANGE: More common in the Bahamas, but also found in Florida, especially
Southeast Florida.
HABITAT: Likes reefs or rocks in clear, shallow water. Many are taken
from Bahamas shorelines.
DESCRIPTION: Confused with the Spottail Pinfish because both have a black
spot on the caudal peduncle. However, the Silver Porgy's spot is both lighter and
proportionately smaller. This fish is also lighter in color and has thin yellowish stripes
and, often, dark vertical bars.
SIZE: Averages 6-8 inches; rarely exceeds a pound.
FOOD VALUE: Good but bony.
GAME QUALITIES: Strong and fast for its size.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Ultralight or light
spinning tackle, baited with bits of cut fish or shellfish.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.
Back to
top Index
5
SEA BREAM
(Archosargus rhomboidalis)
OTHER NAMES: Golden Pinfish, Golden Shiner, Chopa
Amarilla, Salema
RANGE: All Florida coasts and the Bahamas.
HABITAT: Likes rockier bottom than the Pinfish. Common around jetties,
and around rocky areas of surf and shorelines.
DESCRIPTION: Silvery color with numerous yellow stripes that give it a
golden sheen. Deeper bodies than the Pinfish, and usually larger.
SIZE: Average is 8-12 inches; maximum about 14 inches.
FOOD VALUE: Good but bony.
GAME QUALITIES: A cooperative biter and good tussler for its size.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Light spinning and
baitcasting outfits. Live or dead shrimp and cut fish or squid.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.
Back to
top Index
6
GRASS PORGY
(Calamus
arctifrons)
OTHER NAMES: Grass Bream, Shad Porgy
RANGE: Both coasts of Florida.
HABITAT: Grass beds in up to 20 feet or so of water.
DESCRIPTION: Upper body greenish; silvery sides with dark blotches over
sides and tail, often resembling a camouflage pattern. Dark vertical bar through eye.
SIZE: Averages around 1 pound; seldom grows larger.
FOOD VALUE: Good.
GAME QUALITIES: Strong for its size.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Light spinning and
baitcasting tackle, with live or dead shrimp and various cut baits. Usually taken when
fishing for Snapper or Seatrout.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.
Back to
top Index
7
KNOBHEAD PORGY
(Calamus
nodosus)
OTHER NAMES: Key West Porgy
RANGE: All Florida coasts and the Bahamas.
HABITAT: Usually caught over coral reefs or patchy bottom in 70 feet of
water or more.
DESCRIPTION: Color is a silvery with reddish tint. Head is steeply sloped
and front edge is purple.
SIZE: Common up to 4 pounds; occasionally larger.
FOOD VALUE: Excellent.
GAME QUALITIES: A strong if unspectacular fighter.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Most are caught deep by
anglers seeking Grouper and Snapper; thus, the usual gear is fairly heavy ocean tackle.
Stout baitcasting or spinning outfits are better suited to the task, however. Cut pieces
of fish or squid are preferred baits.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.
Back to
top Index
8
WHITEBONE PORGY
(Calamus
leucosteus)
OTHER NAMES: White Porgy, Silver Porgy, Silver Snapper
RANGE: All Florida coasts and the Bahamas.
HABITAT: Usually in fairly deep water, 15-100 feet, over rocks, reefs or
patchy bottom.
DESCRIPTION: Color is a silvery white, sometimes with dark blotches or
patterns. Blue lines on head.
SIZE: Common up to 4 pounds; occasionally larger.
FOOD VALUE: Very good; bones can be filleted out.
GAME QUALITIES: Close to Snappers of similar size.
TACKLE AND BAITS: As with other reef
Porgies, most are caught by anglers seeking Grouper and Snapper with fairly heavy ocean
tackle. Stout baitcasting or spinning outfits are better suited to the task, however. Cut
pieces of fish or squid are preferred baits.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.
Back to
top Index
9
JOLTHEAD PORGY
(Calamus bajonado)
OTHER NAMES: Bajonado
RANGE: All Florida coasts and the Bahamas.
HABITAT: Found over inshore grass flats as well as on offshore reefs and
patches.
DESCRIPTION: Head is more sharply sloped than that of other Porgies.
Color is silvery with blue highlights. Brownish pattern may be evident in fish caught over
dark bottom, but most are light.
SIZE: One of the largest Porgies, it averages a couple of pounds and
sometimes more. World record 23 pounds, 4 ounces.
FOOD VALUE: Very good, if large enough to fillet.
GAME QUALITIES: Unspectacular but strong.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Light spinning and
baitcasting outfits, with any sort of cut fish, shrimp or squid.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.
Back to
top Index
10
SAUCERYE PORGY
(Calamus
calamus)
OTHER NAMES: Big-eye Porgy, Pez De Pluma
RANGE: Both Florida coasts and the Bahamas.
HABITAT: Usually in fairly deep water, up to 100 feet.
DESCRIPTION: The Saucereye's name is derived from a blue line below the
eye that causes the eye to appear larger. Color usually is silvery, with the blue streaks
that are common to several of the Porgies.
SIZE: Common at 2-3 pounds; reaches perhaps 7 or 8.
FOOD VALUE: Very good.
GAME QUALITIES: A strong puller.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Most are caught deep by
anglers seeking Grouper and Snapper with heavy tackle. Stout baitcasting or spinning
outfits are better suited, however. Cut fish or squid.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.
Back to
top Index
11
RED PORGY
(Pagrus
pagrus)
OTHER NAMES: Guerito
RANGE: Offshore depths of Florida and the Bahamas.
HABITAT: Dropoffs in at least 200 feet; also far deeper.
DESCRIPTION: Light, reddish silver overall, with pinkish tail.
SIZE: Averages 2-10 pounds; may reach 20 or more. World record 17 pounds.
FOOD VALUE: Excellent.
GAME QUALITIES: Not much, considering gear used.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Heavy bottom rigs,
preferably with electric reels. Cut baits.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting.
|
|
|
|
TOP OF PAGE
