Spotted sunfish are olive-green to brown in color, with black or reddish spots on the base of each scale forming rows of dots on its sides.

Appearance: The largemouth bass is the best known and most popular game fish in North America. It is distinguished from other black bass because the upper jaw extends beyond the rear edge of the eye, and the first and second dorsal (back) fins are separated by an obvious deep dip.  Habitat: The Florida largemouth bass …

A heavy-bodied black bass that seldom exceeds 12 inches long. Originally restricted to the Suwannee and Ochlockonee rivers, they now are in the Santa Fe, Ichetucknee, St. Marks, Aucilla and Wacissa systems.

Tarpon are primarily an inshore fish, preferring shallow estuaries around mangrove forests, salt marshes or the hard-bottom/seagrass communities of the Keys. Live shrimp or pinfish make good baits, but plastics and Keys-style streamers work too.

Seatrout are found inshore and nearshore in and around seagrass meadows, mangrove-fringed shorelines, deep holes and channels and above oyster bars.

Spanish mackerel are prevalent throughout Florida waters: inshore, offshore and nearshore. Spanish mackerel are a schooling fish that migrates northward in spring, returning to southerly waters when water temperature drops below 70 degrees F.

Red drum are one of Florida’s most popular sport fish and the state’s most widespread estuarine fish. During spawning season redfish use special muscles rubbing against their air bladder to produce a “drumming” sound for which they are named.

Gulf flounder lie on the bottom often partially covered by sand or mud waiting for a prey to come near and then strike suddenly. Bottom fishing with a jig and live or cut bait can be effective…

Adults inhabit rocky bottoms, reefs and drop-off walls in water over 60 feet deep. Live fish or dead cut or whole bait are used. Grouper make very tasty meals.

Black sea bass are structure-loving fish and are associated with reefs and rubble found offshore.