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Florida Fish Species

19 species tracked across Florida's inshore and offshore waters.

Black Drum

Pogonias cromis

Sciaenidae Up to 67"

Large drum species found in estuaries. Can reach impressive sizes.

Inshore, Oyster bars, Estuaries

Cobia

Rachycentron canadum

Rachycentridae Up to 79"

Large pelagic fish often found near buoys and wrecks. Excellent table quality.

Nearshore, Offshore, Around structures

Common Snook

Centropomus undecimalis

Centropomidae Up to 55"

Prized sport fish found around mangroves and inlets. Sensitive to cold temperatures.

Inshore, Mangroves, Estuaries

Florida Pompano

Trachinotus carolinus

Carangidae Up to 25"

Excellent eating fish found in surf. Silver body with yellow fins.

Surf zones, Sandy beaches

Gag Grouper

Mycteroperca microlepis

Serranidae Up to 57"

Popular reef fish with excellent table quality. Found around structure.

Offshore, Reefs, Wrecks

King Mackerel

Scomberomorus cavalla

Scombridae Up to 72"

Large mackerel species prized by anglers. Strong fighter found offshore.

Offshore, Nearshore

Lane Snapper

Lutjanus synagris

Lutjanidae Up to 14"

Small snapper with distinctive yellow stripes and pink spot.

Offshore, Reefs, Sandy bottoms

Mahi-Mahi

Coryphaena hippurus

Coryphaenidae Up to 83"

Mahi-Mahi (also called Dolphinfish or Dorado) is one of the most colorful and sought-after offshore gamefish in Florida. Known for explosive strikes, acrobatic fights, and excellent table fare. Found along floating weed lines and debris in the Gulf Stream, mahi are a spring and summer staple off Fort Lauderdale and the entire Southeast Florida coast.

pelagic, offshore, weed lines

Mangrove Snapper

Lutjanus griseus

Lutjanidae Up to 22"

Versatile species found from mangroves to offshore reefs. Excellent eating.

Inshore, Mangroves, Reefs

Permit

Trachinotus falcatus

Carangidae Up to 48"

Highly prized sport fish. Challenging to catch on flats and around wrecks.

Inshore, Flats, Wrecks

Red Drum

Sciaenops ocellatus

Sciaenidae Up to 59"

Popular game fish with distinctive black spot near tail. Found in shallow coastal waters.

Inshore, Estuaries, Surf zones

Red Grouper

Epinephelus morio

Serranidae Up to 49"

Common grouper species in Gulf waters. Reddish-brown coloration.

Offshore, Reefs, Rocky bottoms

Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

Istiophoridae Up to 134"

The Atlantic Sailfish is one of the fastest fish in the ocean, famous for its spectacular leaping ability and iconic dorsal sail. Found in the warm offshore waters of the Atlantic, it is the premier billfish target off Florida's Southeast coast. Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach are considered among the top sailfish destinations in the world, with winter being the prime season as fish migrate along the Gulf Stream.

pelagic, offshore

Sheepshead

Archosargus probatocephalus

Sparidae Up to 36"

Bottom feeder with strong teeth. Found around structures and pilings.

Inshore, Docks, Structures

Spanish Mackerel

Scomberomorus maculatus

Scombridae Up to 36"

Fast-swimming pelagic fish with gold spots. Common in spring and fall.

Nearshore, Coastal waters

Spotted Seatrout

Cynoscion nebulosus

Sciaenidae Up to 36"

Popular inshore species with distinctive spots. Found over grass flats and sandy bottoms.

Inshore, Grass flats, Estuaries

Tarpon

Megalops atlanticus

Megalopidae Up to 98"

Large powerful fish known for spectacular jumps. Migrates along Florida coast.

Inshore, Offshore, Nearshore

Wahoo

Acanthocybium solandri

Scombridae Up to 98"

Wahoo is widely regarded as one of the fastest fish in the ocean and one of the most prized offshore catches in Florida. Known for scorching, line-blistering runs, the wahoo is a fall and winter target along Florida's Southeast coast, particularly off Palm Beach where the Gulf Stream comes closest to shore.

pelagic, offshore, Gulf Stream

Yellowtail Snapper

Ocyurus chrysurus

Lutjanidae Up to 30"

Beautiful snapper with yellow tail and lateral stripe. Excellent table fare.

Offshore, Reefs, Clear waters