Mosquito Lagoon & Indian River Fishing: Fish Species

Inshore Surf Species

Atlantic Croaker

Atlantic Croaker are relatives of the Black Drum. They are bottom dwellers that can be caught using cut shrimp, clams, or sand fleas on small size #2 hooks or small jigs tipped with a piece of shrimp. They average under a pound in weight and max out at about 3-4 pounds. They are considered good eating and are not regulated.

Black Drum

Black Drum are usually found in the surf around structure and shell bottoms. They can grow to over 100 pounds in weight but the average weight is much less. Smaller "puppy drum" in the 4 to 5 pound range are good eating, but the flesh of larger fish is mushy and often riddled with worms. Slot size and bag limits apply

Bluefish

Bluefish are one of the more popular surf fishing species. They are voracious predators that travel in schools gorging on baitfish, crustaceans, and just about anything in their path. They readily strike lures, cut baits, and live or dead mullet. Size and bag limits apply.

Gafftopsail Catfish

Gafftopsail Catfish are the larger cousins of the more common Hardhead Catfish which are both occasionally caught in the surf. They grow to well over 8 pounds, have long trailing fleshy filaments on their spines and barbels, and are excellent table fare. Like other catfish, they are bottom scavengers but prefer eating live baitfish, shrimp, crabs, and other crustaceans. They are not regulated.

Hardhead Catfish

Hardhead Catfish are bottom scavengers that are commonly found in salt and brackish waters throughout our area. They grow to over 3 pounds and although they are edible (usually during the winter months) they are not considered great table fare. They are usually a by-catch in the surf and
can be caught on a variety of natural baits. They are not regulated.

Jack Crevalle

Jack Crevalle are voracious, hard fighting predators that follow the baitfish migrations along the coast and are occasionally caught in the surf. They grow to well over 50 pounds, have rich firm flesh, and are considered great table fare in the Caribbean and throughout the Bahamas. They readily take live baits and artificial lures that mimic what.they are feeding on.

Margate

Margate are round, thick bodied, structure oriented fish that are fond of coquina and Sabellariid Worm reefs in the Space Coast area of East Central Florida. They grow to over 10 pounds but average about a pound and a half. Fish for them with a #1 or #2 hook using sand fleas, small pieces of shrimp, or cut clams. The are excellent table fare and are not regulated.

Pompano

Pompano are a tasty staple of surf fishermen during late fall and winter in our area. Fish for them in the first trough or just outside the sandbars where the schools search for sand fleas, shrimp and other crustaceans. The average size is between 1 and 2 pounds, but they grow up to 8 pounds or more. Size and gab limits apply.

Redfish

Redfish in our area are primarily permanent residents of the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River, but they are also caught in the surf during the baitfish migrations. They can be caught on shrimp, crabs, finger mullet and cut baits. They are also taken on spoons, topwater plugs, flies, and a variety of soft baits. They are excellent table fare and can grow to 50 pounds or more. Slot and bag limits apply.

Shark

Several varieties of shark are frequently caught in the surf zone throughout East Central Florida. The most common are the Nurse shark, Bonnet Head, Black Tip, Hammer Head, Lemon, and Bull Shark.


Nurse Shark


Black Tip Shark

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark


Bonnethead Shark

Sandbar Shark

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark


Shortfin MakoShark

Like other predatory species, they follow the baitfish migrations along the coast and can be caught on a variety of live or cut baits. Wire leaders or 100 pound plus florurocarbon leaders and heavy tackle is required to successfully target these fish. Size and bag limits apply to several species.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are another tasty species that is found around coquina, rocks and other structure where they feed on small crustaceans, barnacles, shrimp, and small bivalves that attach themselves to the structure. They have teeth, are notorious bait stealers, and require small hooks to catch them. Size and bag limits apply.

Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Mackerel are voracious feeders that travel in schools following the bait pods along the coast. They prefer clean, clear water and are often seen chasing finger mullet and glass minnows in the surf. They can be caught with small shiny spoons, jigs, plugs, live finger mullet, and occasionally live shrimp. Size and bag limits apply.

Snook

Snook can be caught along the beaches from Ponce Inlet south to Sebastian Inlet. They are tasty, hard fighting predators that will eat live shrimp, mullet, croakers, pinfish, and a variety of other baitfish. The will readily take plugs, jigs, and topwater lures in the surf. Because of their abrasive mouths and razor sharp gill plates, a fluorocarbon leader is necessary when targeting these fish.

Snook are exceptional fighters that will jump like Tarpon when hooked. They average about 6 or 7 pounds, but can grow to 50 pounds or more. Because they are primarily a tropical species that cannot tolerate extreme cold water conditions, the best times to fish for them is during the summer and fall.

Slot limits, a closed season, a Snook stamp, and bag limits apply.

Tarpon

Tarpon are found in the surf and along our beaches during baitfish migrations along our coast. They are scavengers that will eat shrimp, mullet, crabs, and a variety of live or dead baits. They can be caught in the surf with spoons, jigs, topwater plugs, subsurface plugs, and a variety of soft baits. During the baitfish migrations, live, dead, or any artificial bait that resembles the mullet or baitfish that is running will catch them. Try to match the hatch.

Tarpon have tough mouths and are noted for "spitting the hook". A fluorocarbon leader and circle hooks will improve your chances of landing one in the surf. Harvesting them is discouraged but a tarpon tag is needed if you plan to keep one for mounting.

Whiting

Whiting are the staple of surf fishermen along the Space Coast and the most common fish caught in the surf . They are easy to catch, excellent eating, not regulated, and can be caught year round on small pieces of shrimp, sand fleas, or small fresh cut pieces of clam.