Home > Fishing > Local Catch Fish Pictures

Local Catch Fish Pictures

Gulf Coast Fish Pictures

Picture of fish species that are typically caught in the Destin, Florida...Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay area.

Pictures provided by Division of Marine Fisheries. Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles.

Almaco Jack

Almaco Jack

OFFSHORE

Wide-ranging in offshore waters, not a common catch; young are associated with Sargassum. Common to 35 inches (10 pounds).

Banded Rudderfish

Banded Rudderfish

NEARSHORE & OFFSHORE

Nearshore and offshore over hard bottom, generally in shallower water than other amberjacks; young associated with weed lines or floating debris and may follow sharks and other large fish. Usually under 24 inches (10 pounds).

Greater Amberjack

Greater Amberjack

OFFSHORE

Offshore species associated with rocky reefs, debris and wrecks, typically in 60 to 240 feet of water. Sometimes caught nearshore in south Florida. Juveniles associate with floating objects and may occur in water less than 30 feet deep. Up to 60 inches (176 pounds); common around 40 inches and under 40 pounds.

Crevalle Jack

Crevalle Jack

INSHORE & OPEN WATERS

Common both inshore and in open waters. Up to 20 pounds and common at 3 to 5 pound.

Gray (Mangrove) Snapper

Gray (Mangrove) Snapper

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Also known as mangrove snapper, mango or black snapper. Coastal waters near structure such as reefs, mangroves and seagrass. Juveniles may enter freshwater. Common to 24 inches (10 pounds).

Vermilllion Snapper

Vermilion Snapper

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Offshore over structure. Up to 24 inches (6 pounds); common to 14 inches and under 2 pounds.

Gray Triggerfish

Gray Triggerfish

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Hard-bottoms, reefs and ledges in water depths that exceed 80 feet. Up to 17 inches.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead

INSHORE & NEARSHORE

Inshore species around oyster bars, seawalls and in tidal creeks; moves nearshore in late winter and early spring for spawning, gathering over debris, artificial reefs and around navigation markers. Size: Up to 36 inches; common to 13 inches.

Red Drum (redfish)

Red Drum (redfish)

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Juveniles are an inshore fish, migrating out of the estuaries at about 30 inches (4 years) and joining the spawning population offshore. Up to 61 inches.

Red Snapper

Red Snapper

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Offshore near structure. Juveniles are found over sand or mud bottoms. Up to 36 inches (35 pounds).

Black Drum

Black Drum

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Inshore fish common to bays, river mouths and lagoons. Bottom dwellers, often found around oyster beds, docks and bridge pilings. May also be found offshore. Juveniles found in estuaries.  Up to 67 inches.

Gag Grouper

Gag Grouper

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Coastal waters near structure such as rocky bottoms, reefs and drop-off walls in water over 60 feet deep. Juveniles found in estuaries and seagrass beds. Up to 36 inches (50 pounds); common to 25 pounds.

Red Grouper

Red Grouper

NEARSHORE & OFFSHORE

Bottom-dwelling fish found over hard and muddy bottoms. Juveniles found offshore along with adults greater than 6 years old. Fish from 1 to 6 years occupy nearshore reefs. Up to 42 inches (50 pounds); common to 20 inches (15 pounds).

Scamp

Scamp

NEARSHORE & OFFSHORE

Nearshore and offshore reefs, ledges and rocky bottoms Generally smaller than gags or blacks. Common to 12 inches, but may reach up to 42 inches.

Black Seabass

Black Seabass

NEARSHORE & OFFSHORE

Coastal waters near structure and rocky bottoms. Smaller specimens are often found inshore in finger channels. Up to 24 inches (8 pounds); common to 12 inches (1.5 pounds).

Sand Perch

Sand Perch

NEARSHORE & OFFSHORE

Coastal waters, including bays, seagrass beds and shallow banks. Up to 12 inches.

Bank (rock) Seabass

Bank Sea Bass

OFFSHORE

Coastal waters over hard bottom areas. Up to 12 inches.

Cobia

Cobia

INSHORE & NEARSHORE

Cobia are found in nearshore and inshore waters with inlets and bays. Cobia are frequently found around buoys, pilings and wrecks in these areas. Up to 6 feet (150 pounds); common from 10 to 50 pounds.

Tripletail

Tripletail

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Found in bays and estuaries to offshore waters. Associate strongly with floating objects such as buoys or channel markers. Up to 42 inches.

King Mackerel

King Mackerel

OFFSHORE

Coastal to offshore waters. Often around piers. They may occasionally be found in deep water. Up to 72 inches.

Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Mackerel

INSHORE, NEARSHORE & OFFSHORE

Prevalent throughout Florida waters: inshore, offshore and nearshore. Frequently found over grass beds and reefs. Absent from north Florida waters in winter. Up to 36 inches.

Tarpon

Tarpon

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Primarily inshore fish; adults spawn offshore. Tarpon are found throughout Florida’s coastal environment during the summer months. Up to 8 feet (300 pounds).

Florida Pompano

Florida Pompano

INSHORE & NEARSHORE

Inshore and nearshore waters, especially along sandy beaches, oyster bars and over seagrass beds, often in turbid water. Found in water as deep as 130 feet. Up to 24 inches (8 pounds).

Permit

Permit

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Offshore near structure; inshore over grass flats, sand and in channels. Common to 50 pounds.

Gulf Flounder

Gulf Flounder

INSHORE & NEARSHORE

Inshore on sandy or mud bottoms, often ranging into tidal creeks. Occasionally caught on nearshore rocky reefs. Common to 14 inches (2 pounds).

Spotted Seatrout

Spotted Seatrout

INSHORE & NEARSHORE

Coastal waters over sand bottoms or seagrass beds. Up to 39 inches (17 pounds); common to 14 inches.

Sand Seatrout

Sand Seatrout

INSHORE & NEARSHORE

Coastal waters over sand bottoms in the Gulf of Mexico (rare in Atlantic waters). Usually less than 15 inches (1 pound).

Ladyfish

Ladyfish

INSHORE

Inshore fish, found in bays and estuaries; occasionally enter freshwater. 36 inches (2 to 3 pounds).

Bluefish

Bluefish

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Young usually found inshore during spring and summer, moving offshore to join adults in fall and winter. Most Gulf coast catches under 3 pounds.

Tomtate

Tomtate

INSHORE & NEARSHORE

Coastal waters. Up to 10 inches (1 pound). Easily caught on small hooks baited with squid or cut bait.

Red Porgy

Red Porgy

INSHORE & NEARSHORE

Coastal waters over rocky or sandy bottoms. Up to 36 inches.

Jolthead Porgy

Jolthead Porgy

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Coastal waters to 45 m (150 ft.). They range from Rhode Island to Bermuda, and from the northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil.. Up to 24 inches.

Knobbed Porgy

Knobbed Porgy

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Coastal waters over hard bottoms from North Carolina to south Florida and the entire Gulf of Mexico. Up to 21 inches.

Sailfish

Sailfish

OFFSHORE

The sailfish is Florida's state saltwater fish. Offshore waters, Up to 11 feet (220 pounds).

Dolphin (male)

Dolphinfish (male)

OFFSHORE

Offshore in warm waters. Young live in floating sargassum weed. Up to 63 inches (88 pounds); common to 30 pounds.

Wahoo

Wahoo

OFFSHORE

Offshore waters; generally not in schools. Up to 98 inches.

Little Tunny

Little Tunny

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

One of the most common tuna species in our area; feed on small fishes and invertebrates. Up to 48 inches.

Blackfin Tuna

Blackfin Tuna

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Coastal/inshore to offshore waters. Common to 28 inches.

Great Barracuda

Barracuda

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Range inshore to offshore. Young found inshore in seagrass beds. Consuming larger barracuda may cause ciguatera poisoning. Up to 106 pounds.

Shortfin Mako Shark

Shortfin Mako Shark

OFFSHORE

Offshore fish often seen near the surface. Up to 12 feet.

Sandbar Shark

Sandbar Shark

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Coastal and offshore waters, typically found at depths ranging from 60 to 200 feet. Prohibited from harvest in Florida state waters. May enter estuaries. Up to 8 feet.

Blacktip Shark

Blacktip Shark

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Coastal to offshore waters. Blacktips often come inshore in large schools, particularly in association with Spanish mackerel. Frequently, the most common shark in clear-water cuts and along beaches in Florida and Bahamas. Up to 6.5 feet.

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

INSHORE & OFFSHORE

Coastal to offshore waters. Prohibited from harvest in state waters. Up to 12 feet.


(Return to top of page.)