Description: Silvery-gray with a coppery cast on back and upper sides. Cream colored belly. One or more black spots at base of tail. Immature fish 2-15 lbs., while adults can exceed 40 lbs. Mature at 27-30" (4 yrs.).
Season: Immature fish found in estuary throughout year. Adults, offshore year-round, occur seasonally in surf.
Methods: Shrimp or live fish fished under a float rig. Cut bait on fish-finder rig with circle hooks. Great fly rod targets.
Spotted Seatrout
Description: Long slender body, back dark silvery gray with bluish tint, sides silver. Round black spots on back, upper sides, and the second dorsal fin. Average 1-2 lbs ., larger "gator" trout exceed 5 lbs. Mature at 12" (2 yrs.).
Season: Found in estuaries throughout year, with peak angling in spring and fall.
Methods: Live shrimp under float rig. Artificials (jigs, crankbaits) during colder months. Live-line baitfish for larger trout.
Cobia
Description: Chocolate-brown above with white belly. Broad, somewhat flattened head. Often mistaken at first sight for a small shark. Average 30-40 lbs, often much larger. Matures at 24-36" (2-3 yrs.)
Season: April-November, nearshore. Year-round, well offshore.
Methods: Slow trolling by buoys and over wrecks or casting live eels, shrimp, crabs, and jigs when sighted.
Sheepshead, Convict Fish
Description: Deep-bodied. Silver-gray with 5-6 dark vertical bars. Distinctive teeth for crushing barnacles and shells. Average 3-5 lbs, can reach 15 lbs. offshore. Matures at 16" (5 yrs.).
Season: Year-round, nearshore and offshore
Methods: Sheepshead rig baited with fiddler crabs.
Spanish Mackerel
Description: Streamlined body, greenish above to silver below with gold spots along the sides. A distinctive black patch on the first dorsal fin and a gently sloping lateral line distinguishes "Spanish" from similarly marked young king mackerel. Average 1-2 lbs, may exceed 7 lbs. Matures at 16-18" (2 yrs.)
Season: Form large schools off inlets, outer bars, and jetties during spring and summer. April-November, nearshore and offshore.
Methods: Casting or fast trolling with spoons for schooling fish. Slow trolling or live-lining for larger Spanish.
King Mackerel, Kingfish
Description: Elongate, greenish-silver with a slate-colored dorsal fin and sharply dropping lateral line. Average 10-20 lbs., often exceed 30 lbs.
Season: April-December, nearshore. Year-round, well offshore.
Methods: Slow-trolling and live-lining menhaden, cigar minnow, or mullet over wrecks, artificial reefs, and live bottom works best for "smoker" kings. Fast-trolling lures and dead baits (such as ballyhoo) produces more, smaller fish.