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South Florida Gamefish Species
Snook
Snook
The Centropomidae are a single genus family of freshwater and marine
fishes in Order Perciformes, including the common snook or róbalo,
Centropomus undecimalis. Prior to 2004, three other genera were placed
in Centropomidae in subfamily Latinae, which has since been raised to
the family level and renamed Latidae because a cladistic analysis
showed the old Centropomidae to be paraphyletic. Each of the four
species (fat, swordspine, common, and tarpon) can be easily identified
by their lateral black line. They are good tablefare, and are a sought after
gamefish but tricky to catch.
fishes in Order Perciformes, including the common snook or róbalo,
Centropomus undecimalis. Prior to 2004, three other genera were placed
in Centropomidae in subfamily Latinae, which has since been raised to
the family level and renamed Latidae because a cladistic analysis
showed the old Centropomidae to be paraphyletic. Each of the four
species (fat, swordspine, common, and tarpon) can be easily identified
by their lateral black line. They are good tablefare, and are a sought after
gamefish but tricky to catch.
Dating from the upper Cretaceous, the centropomids are of typical percoid shape, distinguished by having
two-part dorsal fins, a lateral line that extends onto the tail, and, frequently, a concave shape to the head. They
range from 35 centimetres (14 in) to 120 centimetres (47 in) in length and are found in tropical and
subtropical waters.
Source SnookFoundation.org
Where found:
From central Florida and off Galveston,Texas south to Rio DeJaniero, Brazil. Snook cannot tolerate water
temperatures below 60 degrees F for long. Usually inshore in coastal and brackish or fresh waters, along
mangrove shorelines, seawalls, and bridges; also on reefs and pilings nearshore. As juveniles, they prefer
brackish water or freshwater habitats, but they must spawn in seawater (common snook eggs are not viable
in salinities below ~ 28 parts per thousand, ppt). Although billions of eggs are currently released each year by
spawning females, the loss of juvenile nursery habitat imperils future snook generations.
Prey Species and Bait Selection
Voracious ambush hunters, snook feed on small fish and crustaceans. Cannibalistic as juveniles, they have
been observed eating pleicostomaus (asian catfish), a non native species that has invaded FL freshwater
streams and lakes. Successful live baits include mullet, pinfish and sand brim. Snook foundation
recommends use of circle hooks with a target bead for live bait. Strong enough line and leader to prevent
break offs and reel in fish quickly will increase release survival. A number of live and artifical baits and
approaches are successful. Read more about snook fishing in specific venues.
Juvenile Habitat
Many saltwater fish species have high juvenile survival only every few years. These occasional good years
serve to maintain the adult population. You may have noticed this when fishing – your catch is dominated by a
particular size (age) of fish, with only occasional smaller (younger) or larger (older) fish caught. For fish that
live a long time, high juvenile survival in one year can maintain a high adult population size for many years.
However, this means we won’t see the decline in population until older fish begin to die off without being
replaced - by then we may be decades too late. This is one of the reasons Snook Foundation places Juvenile
Habitat Research and Protection as a top priority.
two-part dorsal fins, a lateral line that extends onto the tail, and, frequently, a concave shape to the head. They
range from 35 centimetres (14 in) to 120 centimetres (47 in) in length and are found in tropical and
subtropical waters.
Source SnookFoundation.org
Where found:
From central Florida and off Galveston,Texas south to Rio DeJaniero, Brazil. Snook cannot tolerate water
temperatures below 60 degrees F for long. Usually inshore in coastal and brackish or fresh waters, along
mangrove shorelines, seawalls, and bridges; also on reefs and pilings nearshore. As juveniles, they prefer
brackish water or freshwater habitats, but they must spawn in seawater (common snook eggs are not viable
in salinities below ~ 28 parts per thousand, ppt). Although billions of eggs are currently released each year by
spawning females, the loss of juvenile nursery habitat imperils future snook generations.
Prey Species and Bait Selection
Voracious ambush hunters, snook feed on small fish and crustaceans. Cannibalistic as juveniles, they have
been observed eating pleicostomaus (asian catfish), a non native species that has invaded FL freshwater
streams and lakes. Successful live baits include mullet, pinfish and sand brim. Snook foundation
recommends use of circle hooks with a target bead for live bait. Strong enough line and leader to prevent
break offs and reel in fish quickly will increase release survival. A number of live and artifical baits and
approaches are successful. Read more about snook fishing in specific venues.
Juvenile Habitat
Many saltwater fish species have high juvenile survival only every few years. These occasional good years
serve to maintain the adult population. You may have noticed this when fishing – your catch is dominated by a
particular size (age) of fish, with only occasional smaller (younger) or larger (older) fish caught. For fish that
live a long time, high juvenile survival in one year can maintain a high adult population size for many years.
However, this means we won’t see the decline in population until older fish begin to die off without being
replaced - by then we may be decades too late. This is one of the reasons Snook Foundation places Juvenile
Habitat Research and Protection as a top priority.
Redfish
The Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as Channel Bass,
Redfish,or just Reds, is a game fish that is found in the Atlantic Ocean
from Massachusetts to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to
Northern Mexico. It is the only species in the genus Sciaenops.
Redfish,or just Reds, is a game fish that is found in the Atlantic Ocean
from Massachusetts to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to
Northern Mexico. It is the only species in the genus Sciaenops.
Characteristics
Red Drum usually occur along coastal waters. Three year-old red drum typically weigh six to eight pounds.
The largest one on record weighed just over 94 pounds. When they are large they are called Bull reds and
most people do not find the large ones good to eat.
Mature Red Drum spawn in near shorelines. Juvenile red drum typically inhabit bays and coastal marshes
until they reach maturity between 3 and 6 years of age. They will readily accept any bait but prefer Menhaden,
Shrimp, Mud Minnows and crabs. Red Drum are relatives of the Black Drum and both make a croaking sound
when in trouble.
Redfish are usually targeted in South Florida using 8-15 pound class line or 6-10 weight fly rods. They can
often times be seen sticking their tails up in the air (tailing) as they eat in water 4-12” deep. When targeting
redfish in this environment it is often called sight-fishing.
Relationship to humans
The North Carolina General Assembly of 1971 designated the Red Drum as the official State Salt Water Fish.
(Session Laws, 1971, c. 274; G.S. 145-6). President of the United States George W. Bush in an Executive
Order on October 20, 2007 designated the Red Drum as a protected game fish. This prohibits sale of Red
Drum caught in Federal waters and encourages states to consider designating Red Drum as a protected
game fish within state waters.
Red Drum usually occur along coastal waters. Three year-old red drum typically weigh six to eight pounds.
The largest one on record weighed just over 94 pounds. When they are large they are called Bull reds and
most people do not find the large ones good to eat.
Mature Red Drum spawn in near shorelines. Juvenile red drum typically inhabit bays and coastal marshes
until they reach maturity between 3 and 6 years of age. They will readily accept any bait but prefer Menhaden,
Shrimp, Mud Minnows and crabs. Red Drum are relatives of the Black Drum and both make a croaking sound
when in trouble.
Redfish are usually targeted in South Florida using 8-15 pound class line or 6-10 weight fly rods. They can
often times be seen sticking their tails up in the air (tailing) as they eat in water 4-12” deep. When targeting
redfish in this environment it is often called sight-fishing.
Relationship to humans
The North Carolina General Assembly of 1971 designated the Red Drum as the official State Salt Water Fish.
(Session Laws, 1971, c. 274; G.S. 145-6). President of the United States George W. Bush in an Executive
Order on October 20, 2007 designated the Red Drum as a protected game fish. This prohibits sale of Red
Drum caught in Federal waters and encourages states to consider designating Red Drum as a protected
game fish within state waters.
Spotted Seatrout
The spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus, is a common estuary fish
found in the southern United States. While most of these fish are caught
on shallow, grassy flats, spotted seatrout reside in virtually any inshore
waters, from the surf of outside islands to far up coastal rivers, where they
often come for shelter during cold weather. Contrary to its name, the
spotted seatrout is not a member of the trout family (Salmonidae), but of
the drum family (Sciaenidae).
found in the southern United States. While most of these fish are caught
on shallow, grassy flats, spotted seatrout reside in virtually any inshore
waters, from the surf of outside islands to far up coastal rivers, where they
often come for shelter during cold weather. Contrary to its name, the
spotted seatrout is not a member of the trout family (Salmonidae), but of
the drum family (Sciaenidae).
These fish have large, prominent canine teeth; dark back with grey or silvery sides marked with scattered
ocellated black spots of varying size. Plain black spots are also present on the dorsal and tail fins. Its shape
and coloration is reminiscent of a Brown Trout (Salmo Trutta), hence the name. In stained water, this fish's
background may take on a golden hue.
The average size of these fish is 0.5-1.0 kg (1-2 lb), but in most areas fish up to 2.5 kg (5 lb) are fairly common.
3.5-4.5 kg (8-10 lb) fish are rare. World record is 7.9 kg (17 lb 7 oz). These fish are active most at dawn and
dusk. And a proven catching technique is at dark to throw out a glow stick into the water and cast around it as
these fish are attracted to light. (shrimp is ideal bait)
Like all members of the drum family, mature males produce a "drumming" sound to attract females during the
spawning season (May through early September). This fish is often found in shallow tidal creeks near flooded
salt marshes, where it feeds mainly on shrimp and small fish. Spotted Seatrout are also know to congregate
heavily over oyster reefs. It is fished both commercially and recreationally.
The Spotted Seatrout makes for excellent tablefare with a firm, white meat.
This fish is more commonly referred to as "Speckled Trout" by coastal fisherman along the Gulf of Mexico. The
shorter alias, "specks," is also used.
This fish is closely related to the weakfish.
ocellated black spots of varying size. Plain black spots are also present on the dorsal and tail fins. Its shape
and coloration is reminiscent of a Brown Trout (Salmo Trutta), hence the name. In stained water, this fish's
background may take on a golden hue.
The average size of these fish is 0.5-1.0 kg (1-2 lb), but in most areas fish up to 2.5 kg (5 lb) are fairly common.
3.5-4.5 kg (8-10 lb) fish are rare. World record is 7.9 kg (17 lb 7 oz). These fish are active most at dawn and
dusk. And a proven catching technique is at dark to throw out a glow stick into the water and cast around it as
these fish are attracted to light. (shrimp is ideal bait)
Like all members of the drum family, mature males produce a "drumming" sound to attract females during the
spawning season (May through early September). This fish is often found in shallow tidal creeks near flooded
salt marshes, where it feeds mainly on shrimp and small fish. Spotted Seatrout are also know to congregate
heavily over oyster reefs. It is fished both commercially and recreationally.
The Spotted Seatrout makes for excellent tablefare with a firm, white meat.
This fish is more commonly referred to as "Speckled Trout" by coastal fisherman along the Gulf of Mexico. The
shorter alias, "specks," is also used.
This fish is closely related to the weakfish.
Everglades-FishingGuide .com