Map
Redfish, a classic Florida catch by region

Fish Species by Region

Seven fishing modules. Pick a coast, scan the species, jump to a water.

Panhandle fishing

Region module

Panhandle

Deep water close to shore — Destin wrecks, oxbow bass, and clay-bottom rivers.

16 fish 8 waters

Species tiles

Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides Goliath Grouper Epinephelus itajara Vulnerable Cobia Rachycentron canadum Florida Pompano Trachinotus carolinus Gulf Flounder Paralichthys albigutta Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus Spanish Mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus Greater Amberjack Seriola dumerili Yellowfin Tuna Thunnus albacares Near Threatened Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus Vulnerable Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Gulf Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi Threatened Red Drum (Redfish) Sciaenops ocellatus Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus Striped Mullet Mugil cephalus Black Crappie (Speckled Perch) Pomoxis nigromaculatus
North Central fishing

Region module

North Central

Spring runs, Suwannee tributaries, and trophy bass in stained rivers.

10 fish 14 waters

Species tiles

Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides Striped Mullet Mugil cephalus Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus Redbreast Sunfish Lepomis auritus Suwannee Bass Micropterus notius Near Threatened Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Gulf Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi Threatened Black Crappie (Speckled Perch) Pomoxis nigromaculatus American Shad Alosa sapidissima Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas
Central fishing

Region module

Central

Bass capital — Toho, Kissimmee, Harris chain, and peak spring spawn.

7 fish 8 waters

Species tiles

Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides Black Crappie (Speckled Perch) Pomoxis nigromaculatus Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus American Shad Alosa sapidissima Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas Redbreast Sunfish Lepomis auritus
Gulf Coast fishing

Region module

Gulf Coast

Inshore slam water: redfish, snook, and trout in Tampa Bay and Crystal River.

16 fish 7 waters

Species tiles

Striped Mullet Mugil cephalus Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus Common Snook Centropomus undecimalis Not Evaluated Red Drum (Redfish) Sciaenops ocellatus Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides Atlantic Tarpon Megalops atlanticus Vulnerable Goliath Grouper Epinephelus itajara Vulnerable Mangrove Snapper Lutjanus griseus Gulf Flounder Paralichthys albigutta Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus Black Drum Pogonias cromis Spanish Mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix Pilchard Harengula jaguana Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus
Atlantic Coast fishing

Region module

Atlantic Coast

Mosquito Lagoon redfish, Gulf Stream pelagics, and winter pompano surf.

13 fish 4 waters

Species tiles

Red Drum (Redfish) Sciaenops ocellatus Common Snook Centropomus undecimalis Not Evaluated Gulf Flounder Paralichthys albigutta Mangrove Snapper Lutjanus griseus Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus Black Drum Pogonias cromis Permit Trachinotus falcatus Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix Striped Mullet Mugil cephalus Pilchard Harengula jaguana Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides Atlantic Tarpon Megalops atlanticus Vulnerable
South Florida fishing

Region module

South Florida

Everglades backcountry, Miami peacock canals, and Okeechobee grass lines.

16 fish 4 waters

Species tiles

Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides Black Crappie (Speckled Perch) Pomoxis nigromaculatus Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas Common Snook Centropomus undecimalis Not Evaluated Red Drum (Redfish) Sciaenops ocellatus Atlantic Tarpon Megalops atlanticus Vulnerable Goliath Grouper Epinephelus itajara Vulnerable Mangrove Snapper Lutjanus griseus Permit Trachinotus falcatus Bonefish Albula vulpes Near Threatened Yellowtail Snapper Ocyurus chrysurus Mutton Snapper Lutjanus analis Near Threatened Striped Mullet Mugil cephalus Pilchard Harengula jaguana
Florida Keys fishing

Region module

Florida Keys

Flats grand slam — bonefish, permit, tarpon — plus reef yellowtail and grouper.

18 fish 3 waters

Species tiles

Atlantic Tarpon Megalops atlanticus Vulnerable Bonefish Albula vulpes Near Threatened Common Snook Centropomus undecimalis Not Evaluated Goliath Grouper Epinephelus itajara Vulnerable Mangrove Snapper Lutjanus griseus Spanish Mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus Atlantic Sailfish Istiophorus albicans Mahi-Mahi Coryphaena hippurus Permit Trachinotus falcatus Wahoo Acanthocybium solandri Swordfish Xiphias gladius Blue Marlin Makaira nigricans Vulnerable Yellowfin Tuna Thunnus albacares Near Threatened Yellowtail Snapper Ocyurus chrysurus Mutton Snapper Lutjanus analis Near Threatened Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides Greater Amberjack Seriola dumerili Nurse Shark Ginglymostoma cirratum Vulnerable

Field notes

Panhandle & North Central

Deep South freshwater: largemouth bass in oxbow lakes, catfish in clay-bottom rivers. Saltwater: Destin is the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" — deep water close to shore means easy offshore access for grouper, snapper, and amberjack.

Central Florida

The bass capital. Lake Toho, Lake Kissimmee, and the Harris chain produce trophy largemouth year-round. Spring spawning season (Jan–Apr) is peak sight-fishing.

Gulf Coast

Inshore grand slam territory: catch redfish, snook, and spotted seatrout in one trip. Tampa Bay is arguably the best urban inshore fishery in the country.

Atlantic Coast

Mosquito Lagoon is the "Redfish Capital of the World." The warm Gulf Stream brings pelagic species close to shore — sailfish, mahi-mahi, and wahoo. Surf fishing for pompano peaks fall/winter.

South Florida

Everglades backcountry has snook, tarpon, and redfish. Miami-Dade canals hold peacock bass. Lake Okeechobee is a largemouth factory.

Florida Keys

Flats fishing mecca: bonefish, permit, and tarpon. The reef provides grouper, snapper, and yellowtail. Bridge fishing at night produces monster tarpon and snook.

Region-ready gear

Each region in Florida needs a slightly different setup. Pack this kit no matter where you point the truck.

PENN Battle IV PENN Battle IV 7 ft medium, size 4000, for flats from the Panhandle to the Keys Get this Freshwater Bass Setup Freshwater Bass Setup For Central & North FL lakes and rivers Get this Offshore Conventional Setup Offshore Conventional Setup For South FL reef, wreck, and trolling trips Get this Region Tackle Kit (Inshore) Region Tackle Kit (Inshore) Cover all inshore species with one kit Get this Florida Fishing Atlas Florida Fishing Atlas Know what's biting where before you drive Get this

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