The Fish of the Gulf

Red Snapper

Lutjanus campechanus

The king of Gulf reef fish and the species Destin built its charter fleet around. Red snapper aggregate around limestone ledges, artificial reefs, and shipwrecks in 60–200 feet of water. Once badly overfished, the stock has rebuilt significantly under two decades of quota management, though the season length is recalculated every year based on how much of the annual catch limit remains.

Gag Grouper

Mycteroperca microlepis

A master of camouflage, gag grouper ambush prey from ledges and rocky bottom in 60–150 feet of water, shifting color to blend with their surroundings. The Gulf stock is currently classified as overfished, which is why FWC has trimmed the recreational season down to a short fall window rather than the multi-month seasons anglers saw a decade ago.

Red Grouper

Epinephelus morio

The most abundant grouper in the Gulf and a staple of bottom-fishing trips. Red grouper prefer sand and rubble bottom near ledges, often excavating shallow pits in the seafloor. Recent stock assessments found the population is not overfished, and red grouper can be targeted in Florida state waters year-round.

Vermilion Snapper

Rhomboplites aurorubens

Smaller and far more numerous than their red snapper cousins, vermilion snapper school in huge numbers over hard bottom in 60–200 feet of water. They're a reliable, fast-biting target when the bigger reef fish aren't cooperating, and one of the best-eating fish in the Gulf.

Photo: G.P. Schmahl / NOAA FGBNMS, CC BY 2.0

Greater Amberjack

Seriola dumerili

Nicknamed "reef donkeys," amberjack are brutally strong bottom fighters that congregate around wrecks, rocky reefs, and floating debris in 60–240 feet of water. The Gulf stock is currently overfished, so FWC sets a short, quota-based recreational season each year, typically just a few weeks in late summer or early fall.

Photo: G.P. Schmahl / NOAA FGBNMS, CC BY 2.0

Gray Triggerfish

Balistes capriscus

Don't let their small mouths fool you. Triggerfish fight far above their weight class, and lock a dorsal spine into reef crevices to keep from being pulled free. They forage by blasting jets of water at the sand to expose buried sand dollars and crustaceans, and are considered some of the best table fare in the Gulf.

Mahi-Mahi (Dolphinfish)

Coryphaena hippurus

One of the fastest-growing fish in the ocean (mahi can add roughly a pound of body weight a week) and among the most visually stunning, flashing electric blue, green, and gold. They roam open water near weed lines and floating debris, usually in schools, making for non-stop action once you find them.

Wahoo

Acanthocybium solandri

One of the fastest fish in the ocean, wahoo are capable of blistering runs near 60 mph the instant they're hooked. They're solitary or loosely schooling predators that roam open water, often near drop-offs and current edges, and are best known among anglers for shredding light tackle.

King Mackerel

Scomberomorus cavalla

Also called "kingfish," these toothy predators patrol nearshore and offshore waters around reefs, wrecks, and bait schools. They're known for blistering initial runs on light tackle, and the Gulf stock has been running well within its annual catch target in recent seasons.

Cobia

Rachycentron canadum

Cobia cruise near the surface, often shadowing rays, sharks, and sea turtles, or hanging around buoys and anchored boats. Sight-casting to a cruising cobia is one of the most exciting styles of fishing in the Gulf. The stock is currently undergoing overfishing, which prompted Florida to raise the minimum size limit in recent years.

Redfish (Red Drum)

Sciaenops ocellatus

The signature inshore gamefish of the Gulf Coast, redfish cruise skinny flats and grass beds, often "tailing" as they root for crabs and shrimp in shallow water. Their coppery color and distinctive black tail spot make them unmistakable, and harvest is state-managed only, since keeping redfish caught in federal waters is prohibited entirely.

Photo: Geeklikepi / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Speckled Trout

Cynoscion nebulosus

Speckled trout hold over sandy bottom and seagrass beds in Choctawhatchee Bay and the surrounding backwaters, ambushing baitfish with a lunging strike. They're one of the best light-tackle targets in the area, and one of the best-eating fish in the Gulf.

Flounder

Paralichthys lethostigma

Flatfish ambush predators that lie camouflaged on sandy bottom, flounder stage a dramatic fall migration through passes like East Pass as they head offshore to spawn, creating a short window of incredible fishing right before the season closes to protect that same run.

Sheepshead

Archosargus probatocephalus

Nicknamed the "convict fish" for its bold black-and-white stripes, sheepshead have human-like front teeth built for crushing barnacles, crabs, and shellfish off pilings and rock. They school heavily around structure in winter to spawn, making January through April the best (and most crowded) time to target them.