Top 10 Fish Species in Florida
For anglers who love going out and catching the biggest fish they can find, one of the best places to go is to Florida. There are many game fish in this state that fishermen enjoy catching. Below you will find the top ten fish in Florida.
Tarpon – This fish is one that’s prized for its ability to fight but not really prized for food value. It’s found throughout the waters in Florida. They can also tolerate many types of salinities.
Sailfish – This is the official saltwater fish of Florida and it inhabits subtropical and tropical waters. They usually travel with small groups or alone. The thing that sets them apart is the high, long dorsal fin. It’s known for acrobatic, high jumps and a favorite fish for anglers in blue waters.
Speckled Trout – Also known as the spotted sea trout, this schooling species is usually found in estuaries’ and bays’ shallow waters. Its upper jaw has two huge canine teeth and mainly feeds on small baitfish and shrimp in the grassy areas.
Snook – This fish is very sensitive to water temperature changes and they’re found in Florida’s warmer waters. This fish is voracious and strong and will shred your fishing line
Red drum – These are also called redfish and they live in shallow brackish and salt waters in schools. It doesn’t have any chin barbels but it has a body that is elongated to distinguish it from black drums. There are also one or more large black spots just before its tail.
Largemouth bass – Officially Florida’s freshwater fish, this fish has a reputation around the world. Anglers come from all over so that they can fish this fish. This base eats nearly anything, even baby ducks and squirrels.
Panfish – This term is general and describes a lot of different types of fish, such as bluegills, redear sunfish, spotted sunfish, warmouth, and redbreast sunfish. These are fish that many of the young anglers catching using spinner baits, popping bugs, and worms.
Grouper – This generic name is used for species which live in deep water. They are very popular with most anglers, the gag grouper and red grouper being the best known. When the weather is cooler, they often can be caught in the shallower water with artificial lures.
Snappers – These fish are offshore species and they’re usually found in water that is 60-440 feet deep. Red snapper is very well-known and it’s pink to red. It also has an anal fin that’s pointed so that it can be distinguished from the other snappers. Red snapper is most delicious and prized in the waters of Florida.
Mackerels – This fish family includes the king mackerel and the Spanish mackerel, which is smaller. These types of fish can be found in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean, from the coast of Maine to beautiful Rio de Janeiro, along with Brazil and Florida’s Gulf of Mexico.
If you are looking for a great place to go fishing, you’ll find no better place than Florida. With so many fish species to choose from, you’ll be bringing home a trophy fish in no time.
As a Naples native I have fished the waters of Naples, Marco and Ft. Myers my entire life. I know where the fish are and use live bait to catch them.
Don’t be fooled by no fish, no pay Naples charter boats. I take pride in what I do and know you will have a great time fishing the Gulf waters with me. Call 239-280-6246 or email me to book a trip today!