| OFFSHORE
SPECIES
|
| FISH | BEST
SEASON | BRIEF
NOTES |
Dolphin
Fish
(Mahi
Mahi, Dorado) |
occasional
year round
best Dec.-May
| The
male or bull has distinctively blunt head. Hard fighting with several jumps during
hook up. Average weights between 15 - 65 lbs. |
Sailfish |
Nov.
- March
| Famous
for acrobatic aerial displays. Sprints up to 50 kts. Average weights between 50
- 105 lbs. |
Blue
Marlin |
June
- October
| Our
largest billfish. Females can reach up to 2000 lbs. Average weights between 300-
900 lbs. |
White
Marlin |
March
- August
| Smaller
than the Blue. Easiest identifiable difference is its rounded dorsal and anal
fin. Average weights between 60 - 150 lbs. |
Wahoo |
Nov.
- April
|
Long
ripping runs when hooked. Beautiful tiger stripes down sides. Weights
between 20 and 110 lbs.
|
Yellowfin
Tuna (Ahi) | Dec.-
March
July - Sept. | Pure
muscle. One of the hardest fighting pelagic fish lb. for lb. Larger of the species
have long thin yellow second
dorsal fin
hence their name. Average weights between 25 - 150 lbs. |
Blackfin
Tuna |
year
round
best June-Sept.
| Smaller
than yellowfin, but a strong and spirited schooling fish. Double, triple, quadruple
headers are common with this species. Average between 10 and 35 lbs. |
Rainbow
Runner | Year
Round |
Found
right on the "edge" of the drop. Two blue lines extend
from back of eyes to tail with gold stipe in between. Great for
live baiting with light tackle. Weight between 5 - 15 lbs
|
| INSHORE
SPECIES |
| FISH | SEASON | BRIEF
NOTES |
Barracuda | year
round |
The
"tiger of the sea". Slices
though prey with
ferocious saber-like teeth. Known to hit multiple baits one after
the other when not hooked. Fiesty ones leap out of water to shake
hook.
|
Jack | year
round | There
are a variety of schooling Jacks that give a hard fight with light tackle. Local
species include Horse Eye, Bar, Yellow Tail, Crevalle. |
Yellowtail
Snapper | year
round | Normally
found schooling but occassionally solitary. When schooling can be caught with
small feathers/jigs, bottom dropping cut squid. Great fun with light tackle and
live bait. Multiple hook ups common. |
Mutton
Snapper | year
round | Found
over reefs as well as sand and sea grass beds close to reefs. Stong, hard fighting
fish. ID'd by blue lines below eyes, black spot mid-section below rear dorsal
fin and pointed anal fin. |
King
Mackerel | year
round | The
giant of mackerels, can be caught up to 100 lbs. When brought to boat after initial
fight will turn and strip line out again. Strong fighter. |
Spanish/Cero
Mackerel | year
round | Fast
and fun when in feeding frenzies. Multiple hook ups at once. Great light tackle
fish. Caught on feathers, spoons, and live bait. |
Tarpon | year
round | Challenging
to hook and keep on. Commonly spits hook in mid air during jumps. Known as the
Silver King to whom the angler bows to while fish in the air to slack the line.
|
Grouper | year
round | A
variety of types can be found near reefs and other structure. These include Black,
Yellowfin, Nassau, Red, Hinds, Tiger. Stong fighters. |
Snook | year
round | Fly
fishing and light spin cast favorite in shallow lagoons & bays. Good fighters
but in limited amounts. All snook are released. |
Bonefish | year
round
| Shallow
flats and lagoon fish adored for fly fishing. Claimed to be the hardest fighting
inshore fish per lb. Challenging to hook but extremely fun when on. |
