From Nearshore Snappers to offshore groupers
What we fish for
Bottom Fish
American Red Snapper
The American Red Snapper, easily identifiable by its vibrant red hue, can live up to 57 years, growing to impressive sizes and depths of over 300 feet in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. These fish are not only sought after for their delicious, firm flesh but also play a pivotal role in their ecosystem, helping control populations of smaller prey. Interestingly, Red Snappers are known for their ability to make a "knocking" sound, which they use to communicate with each other, adding to their unique characteristics among marine species.
Grey Triggerfish
The Grey Triggerfish, with its tough, leathery skin and strong, human-like teeth, stands out for its ability to consume a variety of prey, including sea urchins, crabs, and shellfish, thanks to its exceptional biting strength. These fascinating fish inhabit tropical and subtropical waters and are known for their intelligence, often using rocks to crack open hard-shelled prey. A quirky behavior unique to triggerfish is their ability to lock their dorsal spine upright as a defense mechanism, making it difficult for predators to swallow them and for fishermen to handle them, showcasing their intriguing adaptations for survival in the ocean's depths.
Amberjacks and Almaco Jacks
Amberjacks are a group of robust, pelagic fish belonging to the genus Seriola, found in warm and temperate waters worldwide. These species, including the Greater Amberjack, Lesser Amberjack, and Almaco Jack, are known for their sleek, powerful bodies and distinctive coloration, ranging from silvery-white to dark blue-green, often with a golden stripe or spots. Prized by sport fishermen for their spirited fight and strength, amberjacks are also valued in culinary circles for their firm, flavorful flesh, suitable for a wide range of cooking methods. Each species varies in size and habitat preferences, but all share the common trait of being formidable predators, hunting smaller fish and contributing to the ecological balance of their marine environments.
Grouper
Groupers are a diverse family of fish found in warm seas around the globe, celebrated for their stout bodies and large mouths, which enable them to ambush prey with a swift vacuum effect. These bottom-dwelling behemoths, some species of which can grow to over 8 feet in length and weigh hundreds of pounds, excel in camouflage, blending into their rocky reef and shipwreck environments with ease. Known for their flaky, delicious flesh, groupers are a highly valued catch among anglers and a beloved feature in culinary dishes worldwide, offering a rich taste that's perfect for a variety of cooking methods.
Offshore Pelagics
Blackfin Tuna
The Blackfin Tuna, the smallest species of tuna, thrives in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, from Massachusetts to Brazil. Distinguished by its dark blue back and slight yellow on the finlets, it's known for its speed and agility, making it a challenging and rewarding catch for sport fishermen. Despite its smaller size, typically around 39 inches in length, the Blackfin Tuna is prized in culinary circles for its rich, dark meat, offering a deliciously distinct flavor that stands out in sashimi, steaks, and grilled dishes.
Mahi-Mahi / Dolphinfish / Dorado
The Mahi Mahi, also known as the dolphin fish, is a vibrant, fast-growing species found in off-shore temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters worldwide. Easily recognized by their dazzling colors—brilliant golden on the sides, bright blues and greens on the sides and back, and long, dorsal fins that stretch nearly the length of their body—Mahi Mahi are a favorite among sport fishermen for their acrobatics and fighting spirit. Their flesh is highly valued for its mild, sweet flavor, firm texture, and versatility in culinary applications, making Mahi Mahi a popular choice for grilling, baking, and frying in a variety of dishes.
Wahoo
The Wahoo, a prized game fish known for its speed and high-quality meat, is found in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide. Recognizable by its elongated body, striking stripes, and razor-sharp teeth, the Wahoo can reach speeds up to 60 mph, making it one of the fastest fish in the ocean. This speedster is highly sought after by sport fishermen for its challenging fight and by culinary enthusiasts for its delicate, slightly sweet flesh, which is considered excellent for sashimi, grilling, or searing, making it a top choice for chefs and diners alike.
Other fish
Barracuda
The Barracuda, a formidable predator of the tropical and subtropical oceans, is renowned for its fearsome appearance, including a torpedo-shaped body, sharp, prominent teeth, and a powerful jaw. These fish are capable of reaching speeds of up to 36 mph, thanks to their streamlined bodies, making them adept hunters of smaller fish. Known for their aggressive behavior and striking silver hue, Barracudas are a thrilling catch for sport fishermen, though their meat is approached with caution due to the risk of ciguatera poisoning. Despite this, they remain a fascinating species, embodying the wild, predatory essence of the sea.
Sharks
The Gulf of Mexico hosts a wide variety of shark species, including the formidable Great White, the agile Shortfin Mako, the serene Nurse Shark, and the commonly seen Blacktip Shark. These apex predators are essential for maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems, as they regulate the populations of other marine animals through their role at the top of the food chain. The warm and nutrient-rich waters of the Gulf provide an ideal environment for sharks, offering them abundant prey and favorable conditions for breeding, making this area a significant habitat for these fascinating and diverse creatures.
King Mackerel
The King Mackerel, also known as the Kingfish, is a highly migratory species found in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Distinguished by its sleek, torpedo-shaped body and iridescent coloration, ranging from olive on the back to silver on the sides, this fast-swimming predator is adept at hunting schools of fish with its razor-sharp teeth. King Mackerel are a favorite target for both commercial and recreational fishermen, not only for their challenging fight but also for their prized flesh, which is rich, oily, and full of flavor, making it a popular choice for smoking, grilling, and in sushi.
Cobia / Ling / Lemonfish
The Cobia, often mistaken for a shark due to its elongated body and dark stripe along its side, is a highly migratory species found in warm-temperate to tropical waters worldwide. Known for their voracious appetite, Cobias are opportunistic predators, feasting on crabs, squid, and smaller fish, showcasing remarkable growth rates that can reach over 150 pounds. This fish is a favorite among anglers for its fighting spirit and is celebrated in culinary circles for its rich, flavorful meat that holds up well to grilling and other cooking methods, making it a versatile and sought-after catch in both recreational and commercial fisheries.