Target Species
Inshore
Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor has some of the best inshore fishing in Florida. These areas holds large numbers of Red and Black Drum, Snook, Jack Crevalle, Spotted Seatrout, Sheepshead, and many more. The best part is, no matter what time of year you go fishing, there’s always something biting.
Common Snook
Spawns primarily in summer; cannot tolerate winter temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit; can tolerate wholly fresh or saltwater; schools along shore and in passes during spawning season; feeds on fish and larger crustaceans. Can be targeted year round, larger fish in the summer time (June, July, August)
Redfish
Red drum are an inshore species until they attain roughly 30 inches (4 years), then migrate to join the nearshore population; spawning occurs from August to November in nearshore waters; feeds on crustaceans, fish, and mollusks; longevity to 20 years or more. Can be targeted in the spring and fall,
Speckled Seatrout
Spawning occurs inshore from March through November. Move into deeper, still waters during colder months. Feed on baitfish, mullet, shrimp and crabs. Can be targeted year round. Larger fish target in early spring.
Tarpon
Slow grower, matures at 7 to 13 years of age; female may lay more than 12 million eggs; can tolerate wide range of salinity; juveniles commonly found in fresh water; can breathe air at the surfact; feeds mainly on fish and large crustaceans. Prime time May and August.
Offshore
The Gulf of Mexico is well known for its calm sea conditions and excellent year round shipwreck, trolling, reef fishing & deep sea fishing. Florida as an offshore fishery is one of the planets premiere destinations for battling big saltwater gamefish. We have thousands of reefs and sunken ships providing prime habitat for some of the most sought-after species in the state.
Gag Grouper
Grouper fishing from a boat typically involves baits fished near the bottom, with heavy tackle and heavier to bring grouper to the surface. Live fish or dead cut or whole bait are used. Federal Season: June 1 – Dec. 31, 2 per person within 4 grouper aggregate.
Red Grouper
Bottom dwelling fish associated with hard bottom; juveniles offshore along with adults greater than 6 years old; nearshore reefs. Spawns in April and May; prefer water temperatures between 66 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit; undergoes sex change, young indifiduals female, becoming male as they age, lifespan of at least 25 years; feeds on squid, crustaceans, and fish. No season.
Red Snapper
Juvenile red snapper occur over sandy or mud bottoms. Sexual maturity is attained at age 2. Red snapper feed on crustaceans and fish. Snappers will take soft-bodied jigs, bucktails and spoons. Adult red snapper may live more than 20 years and attain 35 pounds or more. Season changes year to year.
Greater Amberjack
Offshore species associated with rocky reefs, debris, and wrecks, typically in 60-240 feet of water; sometimes caught nearshore in south Florida; juveniles associate with floating objects and may occur in water less than 30 feet deep. Largest of the jacks; thought to spawn offshore throughout much of the year; feeds on squid, fish, and crustaceans.
Hogfish
This fish is commonly found over open bottoms and coral reefs at depths ranging from 10-100 feet (3-30m). The hogfish is often encountered in areas where gorgonians are abundant. The hogfish is widely distributed along the edges of the reef, forming small groups. It prefers locations with hard sand and rock bottoms near shallow patch reefs just inshore and offshore from the main reef structure. Larger individuals occur in the main reef area while smaller fish reside among the patch reefs. Hogfish targeted late fall, winter and early spring.
Yellowtail Snapper
Found mainly in tropical waters; spawns in mid summer; rarely exceeds 30 inches and 5 pounds in size; feeds on small fish and invertebrates. Can be targeted year round on offshore springs.
Mangrove Snapper
Juveniles inshore in tidal creeks, mangroves, and grass beds; adults generally nearshore or offshore on coral or rocky reefs. Offshore catches common to 5-10 pounds. Spawns June through August; feeds on crustaceans and small fish.
Blackfin Tuna
Blackfin tuna are a type of fish that can be found off the Florida Gulf Coast. They belong to the family scombridae which also includes mackerels, tunas, and bonitos. The blackfin tuna can grow up to around 40 pounds or more with an average weight of 25 pounds. Best targeted during spring and fall.
Kingfish
Kingfish are a type of king mackerel and can be found in waters all over the world. In the central west region of Florida, kingfish migrate through our area in the spring and fall when there is an abundance of bait and the water temperature is 72-78 degrees. Best Targeted in the spring and fall.
Cobia
Both inshore and nearshore inhabitating inlets, bays, and among mangroves; frequently seen around buoys, pilings, and wrecks. Common to 30 pounds. Spawns in spring and early summer; feeds on crabs, squid, and small baitfish.
Triple Tail
Found in bays and estuaries to offshore waters. Associate strongly with floating objects such as buoys or channel markers. Often found near structure and when hooked will seek to escape by heading hard for shelter. Found primarily during spring, summer and fall.
Goliath Grouper
The giant of the grouper family, the goliath (formerly called jewfish) has brown or yellow mottling with small black spots on the head and fins, a large mouth with jawbones that extend well past its small eyes, and a rounded tail. As they grow, goliath grouper move to shallow reefs, eventually joining adult populations offshore on shallow artificial and natural reefs. Adults seem to prefer habitat with overhangs, bridges, piers and shipwrecks.
Permit
Found offshore on wrecks and debris. Common to 25 pounds. Feeds mainly on bottom-dwelling crabs, shrimp, small clams, and small fish. Best targeted during late winter into spring.
Snowy Grouper
Snowy grouper are a deep drop species that inhabit much deeper areas than their other grouper relatives, as shallow as 250 feet but most are 350-650 feet. Like most deep drop fish and benthic species, these fish are slow to grow and reproduce. Season open year round and are 4 per person.
Queen Snapper
Though many anglers encounter these fish from 5 to 15 pounds, they are capable of growing to weights over 20 pounds. Queen snapper is largely seen as one of the absolute best tasting fish with firm white fillets that are very mild in flavor and produce an incredible texture. With streamlined bodies, forked tails, small teeth and large eyes, they are ideally suited for hunting in the dark depths and are opportunistic feeders.
Kitty Mitchell Grouper
These deep water groupers can be targeted with electric reels and are found on offshore rocky bottoms in up to 1300 feet. Kitty Mitchell grouper is highly sought after species for its taste. The grouper feeds on its prey whole and feeds on crustaceans, fish, and mollusks and other fish. There is no catch limit for reef fish vessels with permits.
Yellowedge Grouper
Yellowedge grouper prefers rocky, sandy, muddy bottoms or reefs in habitats with soft bottoms. Adults can be found at depths typically from 410 – 984 feet and spawn from February to November in the Gulf of Mexico, with peak spawning from March to September.
Golden Tilefish
Golden tilefish flesh is snow-white with a fine flake. Some people compare the taste of tilefish to that of lobster or crab. Indeed, much of the diet of tilefish consists of deep water crabs and other crustaceans. They live in burrows on muddy bottoms, and in small cave like structures. Even though sunlight barely penetrates the depths at which golden tilefish swim, they only feed during daylight hours, and then usually between 10am – 3pm, and their movements are very slow and methodical.
Blueline Tilefish
Blueline tilefish can grow to be 35 inches long and live up to 26 years. Males can grow larger than females. Female blueline tilefish mature when they are about 3 years old. They can spawn year-round, but peak spawning is in May. Spawning primarily occurs at night. Females can lay more than 4 million free-floating eggs. Blueline tilefish feed primarily on invertebrates that live near the sea floor, such as crabs, shrimp, snails, worms, sea urchins, and small fish.