Fish Species and Seasons

Blue Marlin: One of the most prized of all sportfishing catches, blues are known for their size and strength. Potentially growing to weights in excess of 1000 pounds, the blue marlin is truly the king of its domain and literally feeds on the other sportfishing species. Their reel smoking runs and the feeling that you are hooked to a dump truck are what makes sportfishing adrenaline junkies want a shot at these giants. Blue marlin are usually not found in groups so getting one to show up in your bait spread is not a common occurrence so it can be necessary for anglers to specifically target them with large baits and teasers. Once brought boatside, blue marlin are routinely released to return to their ocean throne.       

White Marlin: These may be the smaller cousin of the blue marlin but what they lack in size (average weight 50 -90 lbs) they make up for in other ways. White marlin often travel in hunting packs and it is not uncommon to have several baits attacked at the same time. They can be extremely aggressive but even so it often takes an experienced mate to get the proper rig in front of them and get them hooked. The average hook up ratio is only about one hook up for every four attacks and it often takes lighter tackle to get the job done. But when you do get one on be prepared for an awe inspiring display of aerobatics and flashing beautiful colors. Whites are usually always released so that they can fight again another day.       

Atlantic Sailfish: Named after the large sailfin on their backs the sailfish is sometimes confused with marlin. Although similar in appearance, the sailfish is the smaller of the billfish species (40 -60 lbs) and has a reputation for feeding in packs using their sail to help heard baitfish into balls while they take turns attacking into the baitball. In warm water, they can sometimes be found as close as an inlet or as far out as the middle of the Gulf Stream so you'll never know when one might show up in your trolling spread. Their smaller size and shape of their mouths make it difficult for them to engulf the average size trolled bait but that sure doesn't seem to stop them from trying!        

Yellowfin Tuna: One of the most prized sportfishing catches has to be the yellowfin tuna. Yellowfin tuna travel in massive feeding schools and can provide anglers with both excellent eating and hot action. It is not uncommon to have an entire trolling spread of six or more baits all hit at the same time and creating mass pandemonium where every available angler must grab a rod to fight a fish. Yellowfin will often fight in deep bulldogging circles which can only be described as being hooked to swimming cinderblock. Yellowfin average between 30 and 50 pounds but are even sometimes caught in larger sizes up to 200 pounds.     

Wahoo: Don't let that seemingly toothless smile in the picture on the left fool you. Wahoo have hundreds of tiny razor sharp teeth capable of even cutting braided wire better than any pair of Stanley wire cutters. They often attack a trolled bait like a Trident missile coming out of a silo and can skyrocket several feet into the air. The first blistering run is like being hooked to a dragster. Wahoo can be caught in singles and sometimes a lucky boat will find feeding groups targeting a specific area. With an average weight of between 30 to 60 pounds, wahoo are a prized catch because of their delicate white meat. Currently this species is regulated to just two per angler.       

Dolphin: This incredible species goes by many names including dolphin, dolphinfish, and mahi mahi but whatever you call them they are always going to be the "darling" of the charter fleets along the Atlantic. They are very prolific in warm water from the inlets to the Sargasso Sea and live a complete life cycle in only five years. This is one of the few species of fish that the males (bulls) exceed the females in size and can get up to 80 pounds. Although the larger ones usually only travel in pairs, smaller fish are often found in massive schools around floating sargassum or other floating objects. This is another great eating species and anglers are currently allowed to keep ten each.   

King Mackerel: This toothy species is known for showing up in warm waters from the beach all the way out to the Gulf Stream and they are usually targeted with lighter 20# class tackle rods and reels. They are another species that will skyrocket a bait, particularly a free swimming live baitfish like a mullet or menhaden. Catching them with light tackle for live baiting and tiny sharp hooks just adds to the challenge. The king mackerel averages in weight form 15 pounds to in excess of 50 pounds. They have an oily meat and are often "steaked" and grilled, boiled, or fried. Kings are also the target species for many Atlantic and Gulf coats fishing tournaments because they can often be accessible with smaller boats.     

Spanish Mackerel:  Each summer as the coastal waters warm, anglers anxiously await the arrival of these northern migrating massive schools of spanish mackerel. They are normally found around inlets and along inshore coastal waters and are easily accessible without making long ocean runs. When the weather is too rough for going out in the ocean, spanish can save the day. Light tackle and trolled baits can often produce a spectacular catch of spanish mackerel weighing from two to six pounds. Grilled filets of spanish mackerel in a sandwich are a restaurant and tourist's favorite.    

Bluefish:  One fish, two fish, red fish ....bluefish. Usually about the time the spanish schools arrive, so do the massive schools of "taylor" blues. Often the two species mix together and feed veraciously. Bluefish are known for their "dentures" and in my opinion bluefish are the closest thing in our local waters that are comparable to the piranhas. The amazing thing is that ten inch bluefish can be just as aggressive as a twenty pound bluefish and they will attack anything that they believe they even might be able to eat. Fortunately, fresh bluefish make an excellent meal so we are glad to oblige them by putting a bait in front of them.