Fish to Catch

All the fish that you can catch in the Gulf Stream and inshore all the way from Islamorada, Key West, Key Biscane, Miami, Miami Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Palm Beach to the Outer Banks of Noth Carolina and Ocean City, Maryland on the fishing charter boats that can be found on RentalBoatCharters.com.

No.	Fish Species		Caught by / Fishing System	Where Caught	Comments
1.	Bluefish		Casting, Trolling, Still Fishing	Offshore, Inshore	Common at any weight from less than a pound to 10 or 12 lbs. Not rare to 20 lbs, especially along the Middle and North Atlantic Coast. Maximum weight can exceed 30 lbs. World record 31 lbs., 12 ozs. Pound-for-pound, Blues are outstanding gamesters. They jump nimbly, if not too frequently, also making long runs.
2.	Albacore		Trolling	Offshore, Inshore	Usually 10-50 lbs.; sometimes exceeds 80 lbs. World record 88 lbs., 2 ozs. Pound for pound a standout—even among its hard-fighting relatives.
3.	Atlantic Croaker		Still Fishing	Inshore, Bottom	In the southern part of its range it averages a pound or less, with a top weight of perhaps
4.	Atlantic Spadefish		Still Fishing	Inshore	Averages 2-3 lbs. World record 14 lbs. Difficult to hook, but strong.
5.	Bigeye Tuna		Trolling, Drifting, Still Fishing	Offshore	Runs to about the same sizes as the Yellowfin Tuna—from a few pounds to a maximum of 400 or slightly more. World record 392 lbs., 6 ozs. Among the strongest and most rugged fighters.
6.	Black Drum		Still Fishing, Casting	Inshore, Bottom	Average size is among the larges of any coastal sport fish, with specimens weighing 30 to 50 lbs being common along the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic coasts, and catches exceeding 75 lbs. not awfully rare. Striped juveniles generally weigh 1-10 lbs. World record 113 lbs, 1 oz. The fight is strong and bullish, but not usually suspenseful or spectacular.
7.	Black Grouper		Drifting, Still Fishing, Trolling, Casting	Offshore, Inshore	A large Grouper, the Black frequently exceeds 50 lbs. in weight and is not rare at 100 lbs or slightly more. World record 114 lbs. Considered best of the Groupers.
8.	Blue Marlin		Trolling, sometimes Drifting	Offshore	Commonly up to 500 lbs. and a rare few going over 1,000 lbs. World record (Atlantic) 1,402 lbs., 2 ozs. Ranks at the top of the list for power, speed and spectacle.
9.	Bluefin Tuna		Trolling, Drifting, Still Fishing,	Offshore, Inshore	From small schooling fish of a few pounds (often called “football”) all the way up to giants that average well over 500 lbs. and sometimes exceed a half-ton. World record 1,496 lbs. A Giant Bluefin lacks the showiness of Swordfish and Marlin but is rated the toughest of all fish to fight and land. It has strength, stamina and speed in boundless quality.
10.	Bonefish		Casting, Still Fishing	Offshore, Inshore	Average 3 or 4 lbs., but is fairly common to 10 lbs. and can exceed 15 lbs. World record 19 lbs. The long-distance running capability of a Bonefish in a foot or so of water is legendary. In deep water, the battle is rough and bullish.
11.	Bonito		Trolling, Drifting, Casting	Offshore, Inshore	The average is about 4-10 lbs, and the maximum perhaps 20 lbs. World record 18 lbs, 4 ozs. Lake other Tunas, an excellent fighter.
12.	Cobia		Still Fishing, Casting, Trolling, Drifting	Offshore, Inshore	Common from 20 to 50 lbs.; sometimes up to 80 and possibly 100 or more. World record 135 lbs., 9 ozs. Cobia are rugged fighters but individualistic, and so the tussle can be rather unpredictable. Usually, a big fish will get off several long and fairly fast runs, and resist doggedly for long periods in between them.
13.	Common Snook		Still Fishing, Casting, Trolling, Drift Fishing	Inshore	Average is about 3 to 15 lbs. Snook weighing 20 to 30 lbs. are common, especially during summer spawning season. Usual maximum is about 40 lbs., but the potential is to 60 or more. World record 53 lbs., 10 ozs. All-around fighting ability is first-rate, with big specimens delivering long and repeated runs, often ending in boiling half-jumps. Smaller fish leap higher and more frequently. A major tactic of all sizes is to foul the line on any handy objects.
14.	Dolphin		Trolling, Drifting, Casting	Offshore	Schooling Dolphin tend to be same size, which may range from a pound or so to perhaps 20 lbs. Most large Dolphin run singly or in male-female pairs. Males (bulls) are always larger, often attaining 50 lbs. in weight and sometimes exceeding 80 lbs. World record 88 lbs. Here, too, the Dolphin ranks among the very best. It combines long, strong runs with spectacular jumps and dogged stubbornness.
15.	Fat Snook		Still Fishing, Casting, Trolling	Inshore	Sometimes reaches 24 inches in length, but most run 12-16 inches. World record 9 lbs., 5 ozs. A spirited jumper and tough for its size.
16.	Gray Triggerfish		Still Fishing, Drifting	Offshore	Most catches run from a pound or less to perhaps 3 lbs. World record 13 lbs., 9 ozs. Tough to hook but very game.
17.	Gulf Flounder		Still Fishing, Casting, Drifting	Inshore, Bottom	Smaller than both of the preceding species, the Gulf Flounder averages 1 or 2 lbs. World record 6 lbs., 4 ozs. Commendable, but not so strong as their bigger relatives.
18.	Gulf Kingfish		Still Fishing, Casting	Inshore, Bottom	Averages slightly larger than the other two species, often weighing a pound and sometimes running to 3 lbs. World record 3 lbs. Very strong fighter on light line.
19.	Hogfish		Still Fishing	Inshore	Hogfish larger than 5 lbs. are increasingly rare, although an occasional specimen still might top 10 lbs. and possibly reach 20 lbs. World record 19 lbs., 8 ozs. Big ones put up a good battle initially, but have little stamina.
20.	King Mackerel		Drifting, Trolling, Still Fishing, Casting	Offshore, Inshore	In large schools, the average size may run from a couple of pounds to about 20. Big fish, running from 30 to 50 lbs or more, are not schoolers but may gang up. Potential maximum size is possibly 100. World record 93 lbs. Kings are strong and sizzling fighters, making use of both speed and strength.
21.	Northen Kingfish		Still Fishing	Inshore	Usually under a pound, but may top 2 lbs. World record 1 lb., 10 ozs. Very strong for its size.
22.	Permit		Casting, Still Fishing	Inshore	Fish weighing 20 or 30 lbs. are common, both on inshore flats and offshore wrecks and reefs. World record 56 lbs., 2 ozs. Considered by many as perhaps the best shallow-water gamefish in the world, combining long distance runs with great power.
23.	Pompano		Still Fishing, Casting, Drifting	Inshore	Averages 1 lb., with 2-pounders not uncommon. Can run as high as 8 lbs. or so. World record 8 lbs., 1 oz. Also top-rank. The fight surpasses that of a Jack, being at least equally rugged, but with longer and faster runs.
24.	Puddingwife		Still Fishing	Inshore, Bottom	A pound or less on average, but sometimes reaches 3 or 4 lbs. Mediocre battler.
25.	Queen Triggerfish		Still Fishing, Drifting	Offshore	From a couple of pounds to 10 to 12 lbs. Tough battler on light tackle.
26.	Red Drum		Still Fishing, Drifting, Casting	Offshore, Inshore	Smaller fish run from a couple of pounds up to 15 lbs. or so, but over most of their range they are not too rare at 30 lbs. and may at times top 50. World record 94 lbs., 2 ozs. A superior battler, using strength, stamina and fairly long, bullish runs as its main weapons with only rare jumps.
27.	Red Grouper		Still Fishing, Drifting, Trolling	Offshore, Inshore	Common at 1-10 lbs.; maximum perhaps 40 lbs. World record 42 lbs., 4 ozs. The Red is possibly the toughest-fighting Grouper, pound-for-pound. Although they will “hole up” like other Groupers, many are hooked on light and fairly light tackle in areas where cover is well scattered, and this gives them the chance to demonstrate their gameness to best advantage.
28.	Red Snapper		Still Fishing, Drifting	Inshore, Bottom	Common from a couple of pounds to 10 lbs., but reaches 20 lbs or more with some frequency. Maximum potential is about 50 lbs. World record 50 lbs., 4 ozs. A hard-fighting fish that uses strong, head-shaking tactics rather than long runs.
29.	Sailfish		Trolling, Drifting	Offshore, Inshore	Sailfish are caught from less than 10 lbs. to more than 100 lbs., with the average being in the area of 35-60 lbs. Potential maximum is less than 150 lbs. World record (Atlantic) 141 lbs., 1 oz. Unsurpassed in its size range for combined strength and spectacle.
30.	Sand Seatrout		Still Fishing, Drifting, Casting	Inshore, Bottom	Usually one-half to 1 lb.; rarely exceeds 2. World record 6 lbs., 2 ozs. Fairly strong for its size, but sporty only on the lightest tackle.
31.	Sheepshead		Still Fishing	Inshore, Bottom	Common from 1 lb. to about 7 lbs. Individuals exceeding 10 lbs. are not rare. The maximum is more than 20 lbs. World record 21 lbs., 4 ozs. Very challenging on light tackle. Pulls hard, dives hard, and uses its flattened shape to great advantage.
32.	Silver Perch		Still Fishing, Casting	Bottom	Seldom exceeds 6 or 8 inches. An avid striker but too small to provide much sport.
33.	Silver Seatrout		Still Fishing, Drifting, Casting	Offshore, Inshore	3 lbs. From Cape Hatteras northward, and particularly in Virginia and Maryland, 3-pounders are fairly common and 5-pounders possible. World record 3 lbs., 12 ozs. Strong for their size but unspectacular.
34.	Southern Flounder		Still Fishing, Casting, Drifting	Inshore, Bottom	Virtually matches the size of the Fluke, averaging 2-4 lbs. World record 20 lbs., 9 ozs. Hard striker and strong fighter.
35.	Southern Kingfish		Still Fishing, Casting	Inshore	Usually less than a pound; sometimes 2 lbs. World record 2 lbs., 5 ozs. Runs well against very light tackle.
36.	Spanish Mackerel		Drifting, Trolling, Still Fishing, Casting	Offshore, Inshore	Usually 1 to 5 lbs., but 7-pounders are taken now and then, and the potential is to 10 or slightly more. World record 13 lbs. Battle features lightning runs on light tackle, and there may be several of them. Also resists stubbornly at boatside.
37.	Spotted Seatrout		Drifting, Still Fishing, Casting	Offshore, Inshore	Average in most areas is 5-20 lbs., but 30 pounders are fairly frequent catches and Stripers can still exceed 50 lbs. on occasion. In the past, fish from 75 to more than 100 lbs. were recorded. World record 78 lbs., 8 ozs. A very strong and tenacious fighter.
38.	Striped Bass		Casting, Trolling, Drifting, Still Fishing	Offshore, Inshore	Average in most areas is 5-20 lbs., but 30 pounders are fairly frequent catches and Stripers can still exceed 50 lbs. on occasion. In the past, fish from 75 to more than 100 lbs. were recorded. World record 78 lbs., 8 ozs. A very strong and tenacious fighter.
39.	Summer Flounder		Still Fishing, Drift Fishing, Casting	Offshore, Inshore	Averages 2-4 lbs., although specimens to 10 or 12 lbs. are not rate. Potential maximum probably exceeds 25 lbs. World record 22 lbs., 7 ozs. Strong and very active for a Flounder. Often chases artificial lures vigorously before striking.
40.	Swordfish		Drifting, Trolling	Offshore	Although Swordfish can grow to 1,000 lbs and historically have averaged 200 or more, relentless commercial longline fishing lowered the average to under 50 lbs. World record 1,182 lbs. Although not as aerial-minded as the Blue Marlin, the Swordfish nevertheless is a powerful foe and a spectacular, if not frequent, jumper.
41.	Swordspine Snook		Still Fishing, Casting	Inshore	Seldom longer than a foot. World record 1 lb., 5 ozs. Spunky but tiny.
42.	Tarpon		Casting, Trolling, Drifting, Still Fishing	Inshore	From a foot to about 75 lbs., on average, although big fish of 100 lbs. are numerous, and a 200 pounder is always a possibility. World record 283 lbs, 4 ozs. Tarpon are world-famous for the spectacle and frequency of their jumps. Giant Tarpon don’t quite match the acrobatics of the smaller ones, but when hooked in shallow water, they leap almost as much and with even more fury.
43.	Tarpon Snook		Still Fishing, Casting, Trolling	Inshore	Usually a foot or so. Can reach at least 20 inches. World record 3 lbs., 2 ozs. A good battler for its size.
44.	Tautog		Still Fishing	Inshore	Commonly 2 to 5 lbs. Frequently reaches 10 lbs. or more and can exceed 20 lbs. World record 25 lbs. A very strong, if not spectacular fighter.
45.	Tilefish		Drifting	Offshore	Usually 5-10 lbs., but sometimes exceeds 20. Must be taken on heavy gear.
46.	Wahoo		Trolling, Drifting	Offshore	Most catches run 20-50 lbs, but individuals pushing 100 lbs are not too rare. The potential is to 150 or more. World record 158 lbs., 8 ozs. One of the fastest of all gamefish, the Wahoo’s fight features speed, usually in the form of several dazzling runs. The Wahoo may strike a surface bait in spectacular, greyhounding fashion, but seldom jumps after being hooked.
47.	Weakfish		Still Fishing, Drifting, Casting, Trolling	Inshore	The average is 2 or 3 lbs., with 6-pounders fairly common. The potential ranges from more than 10 to the longtime record, but such big fish are now scarce, although their numbers are slowly increasing once more. World record 19 lbs., 2 ozs. Less of a surface brawler than the Speckled Trout, but very strong and capable of making several long runs during a fight on light tackle
48.	White Marlin		Trolling, sometimes Drifting	Offshore	Maximum us less than 200 lbs., with most catches ranging from 50 to 100 lbs. World record 181 lbs., 14 ozs. Lacks the size and power of a Blue, but on appropriate tackle it is a spectacular jumper and long-distance runner.
49.	Yellow Jack		Casting, Trolling, Drifting, Still Fishing	Offshore, Inshore	The usually range is 1 to 5 lbs., but occasional specimens can push 20 lbs. World record 23 lbs., 8 ozs. Like other Jacks, a rugged and stubborn fighter, but gets off some fairly long runs when hooked on the flats.
50.	Yellowfin Tuna		Trolling, Still Fishing, Drifting	Offshore	Schools of like-size fish may range anywhere from a few lbs to 50 or 100 lbs. Individuals up to 300 lbs. are reasonably common, and the maximum is perhaps 400 lbs. World record 388 lbs., 12 ozs. Equal to Bluefin Tuna in similar size categories.