What's The Catch?

Barracuda

(Sphyraena Barracuda )

Identifying Features: Upper body blue-grey, lower body silvered with scattered dark spots. Underslung jaw filled with razor-sharp teeth.

Size: Average size is 5-15 pounds. Juvenile barracuda range from a foot long to 20-30 pounds. All tackle world record: 85 lbs.

Fishing Methods: Casting spoons or lures, trolling natural baits, flyfishing, drifting or anchoring using chum, and live baiting.

Fighting Characteristics: Impressive strikes, great jumper on light tackle and fast surface runs.

Season: All year. Winter is especially ideal for flats fishing action.

Food Value: None.

Cobia

( Rachycentron Canadum )

Identifying Features: Upper body dark brown with two white long tail streaks. Wide tail. Lower body light brown with white belly.

Size: Average size is 20 to 50 pounds. All tackle world record: 135lbs 9ozs.

Fishing Methods: Trolling natural baits, casting lures, spoons, drifting or anchoring with live bait, mullet, crabs, shrimp.

Fighting Characteristics: Very tough opponent at all stages of fight. Incredible amount of endurance and stamina.

Season: Best months are November through March but they can be caught all year.

Food Value: Excellent.

Dolphin

( Coryhpaena Hippurus )

Identifying Features:Upper body green or electric blue. Lower body gold or electric silver.

Size: Average size is 10 to 20 pounds. The dolphin catch size averages from 1 pound (a juvenile or schooly) up to a 50 pound bull dolphin. All tackle world record is 87lbs.

Fishing Methods: Trolling ballyhoo and artificial lures, flyfishing, sightfishing with live bait or artificials.

Fighting Characteristics: Surface running, jumping. Executes perfect sideways and jumps with speed changes of direction.

Season: March through November with the best action in April through June.

Food Value: Excellent.

Wahoo

( Acanthocybium Solandri )

Identifying Features: Upper body dark blue with wavy stripes, in addition to electric blue and silver coloration.

Size: Average size ranges from 10 to 50 pounds. All tackle world record is 158lbs 8ozs.

Fishing Methods: Trolling with artificial or dead bait. Deep trolling or deep jigging. Kite fishing with live bait.

Fighting Characteristics: Wild fight is characterized by screaming fast runs at or near the surface. One of the fastest game fish of the sea. Season: All year with April, May and June the most productive months.

Food Value: Excellent.

Mutton Snapper

( Lutjanus Analis )

Identifying Features: Coloration varies widely, but mostly rosey appearance with red fins. Mature fish are greenish and red on their lower sides. Single black spot near dorsal fin. All sizes show electric blue lines on gill cover and throughout the back.

Size: Average size is 5 pounds or more. All tackle world record is 28lbs. 5ozs.

Fishing Methods: Reef fishing with live bait, light spin inshore with jigs, plugs or live bait, shrimp or crabs.

Fighting Characteristics: Strong fighters in deep water and extremely tough in shallow water. Strong runs with brute strength while resisting with their broad sides.

Season: All year with best season being May and June.

Food Value: Excellent.

Dog Snapper

( Lutjanus Jocu )

Lane Snapper

( Lutjanus Synagris )

Mangrove Snapper

( Lutjanus Griseus )

Red Snapper

( Lutjanus Compechanus )

Greater Amberjack

( Seriola Dumerlli )

Gag Grouper

( Mycteroperca Microlepis )

Blacktip Shark

(Carcharhinus Limbatus )

Yellowfin Tuna

( Thunnus Albacares )

Blackfin Tuna

(Thunnus Atlanticus )

King Mackerel

( Scomberomorus Cavalla )

Jack Crevalle

( Caranx Hippos )

For more information please contact our office at 979-233-1811or email info@underwaterexpeditions.com