These are the nine hardest fish to catch in Florida, the blue marlin. Don't be surprised that this fish is at the top of our list. Everyone knows that the fish that fight the most in Florida are marlins and other sailfish. I wanted to write about coastal fish that fight hard because that's what most people do.
Most people don't have a boat of their own to go to the depths and catch huge marlin or tuna. As one of the most desirable catches in existence, shad is a kind of “right of way” for countless inshore fishermen. Affectionately known as the Silver King, these brilliant beasts have been crossing fishermen's lines for years. Equally majestic and challenging, both Atlantic and Pacific blue marlin are known to live up to 27 years and exceed 14 feet in length and 1,500 pounds in weight.
The world record for all IGFA tackles for the Atlantic blue needle is 1,402 pounds and 2 ounces, and the Pacific blue needle is 1,376 pounds. Able to make impressive jumps and mix greyhounds on the surface and high-speed dives during the fight, the blue marlin shows its incredible power the moment they feel the hook, a reason they are highly coveted by anglers around the world. Black marlin, the only one with rigid pectoral fins that do not fold against its body, is found in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans, and is one of four species of garfish (along with swordfish and blue marlin from the Atlantic and Pacific) known to exceed 1,000 pounds in weight (called” great). In fact, the world record for all IGFA tackles is a weight of 1,560 pounds caught in Cabo Blanco, Peru.
The diet of black marlin consists of squid and several pelagic fish, including flying fish, bonito, various tuna, mackerel, dolphin and others, and unlike blue and striped marlins, blacks often venture into shallow water (juveniles sometimes seek food at depths of less than 20 feet in parts of Australia). adding to the great appeal of its incredible strength, endurance and acrobatic nature. Trawling live or dead baits, or lures that resemble them, either in appearance or action, are among the proven fishing methods. However, anglers who throw plugs or flies successfully attack smaller black needles on a regular basis.
While some anglers take advantage of the fact that bluefin tuna often stops at depths of less than 200 feet to catch it with 50- or 80-pound equipment, the largest Atlantic and Pacific bluefins (known as “giants”) weighing more than 1,000 pounds are said to have the power of a freight train, so few anglers dare to use something lighter than a 130-pound tackle for them. Unlike other bluefin tuna species, the south is usually caught with live bait trolling or free-line, sometimes close to shore, but rarely caught with dead bait. Also known as a broadbill because of its wide, flattened beak, which is significantly longer and wider than that of all other species of beakfish, swordfish have rigid, non-retractable dorsal and pectoral fins, lacks ventral fins, and has a single, very large keel on either side of the caudal peduncle (tail). Adults lack scales, the reason for their elegant appearance, their large eyes are excellent at detecting prey at night and at great depths, and their oversized tail propels them at high speeds and allowing astonishing jumps.
Swordfish, found in temperate and tropical waters around the world, are migratory, but usually travel alone. And while they are considered a deep-sea game fish, some are found sunbathing on the surface with their dorsal fins and caudal out of the water. Swords use their big beak to defend themselves, occasionally attacking ships and to kill or stun squid, mackerel, bonito, dolphins and other pelagic species they feed on. Although the preferred fodder of striped marlins are anchovies, mackerel, spectacled eyes (called little horses or ojones in Latin America), sauries, flying fish and squid, they are opportunistic feeders that rarely miss an easy meal, making them excellent candidates for a range of fishing tactics, ranging from trawling natural baits or lures, to throwing live into sight specimens that flap on the surface, and bait and switch to trick them into shocking flies.
Like the blue spire, two species are recognized, an Atlantic and a larger Pacific, both easily identifiable by their sail-shaped dorsal fin, which they often use to corner bait fish in cooperation with other members of a pack. Rounded back makes whites easy to differentiate from other marlin species. Quick identification is useful in places like Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where whites share their offshore hunting spots with the small blue spire that abound in the region. A fish so close to the heart of Floridians that it has become almost a symbol of the state itself.
The Marlins, and in particular the powerful Blue Marlin, are a difficult catch. A deep-sea sports fish, it is instantly recognizable by its bluish-black body and its large, sharp beak. They are famous as sports fish all over the world, and if you want to catch one, you better be quick, because they can go around as if it were no one's business. Once you hook him up, they can pull like a mule, and even if you manage to get him on the ship, that sword in his face won't make your life any easier.
We also wanted to limit the 10 species to which are true coastal fish, those that are frequently caught in waters of up to 30 meters (99 feet) or so and not the normally deep-sea species that can occasionally deviate from shore, such as mahi-mahi or kingfish, for example. We have also omitted sharks from our classification: they are another ball game. The following are the results in reverse order from number 10 to first place, according to the survey of a handful of sportfishing professionals and some everyday fishermen who are as passionate about debate as they are about fishing. So, without further ado, here is our list of the 10 toughest Atlantic coast coastal fish (regardless of size) ranked in descending order.
Also called red bass drum and channel bass, the redfish is one of the most popular coastal species along the East Coast and on the Gulf Coast. The reds won't surprise you with spectacular jumps like shad, but they will surely impress you with their strength, endurance and robustness. Reverently referred to by experienced flatfishers as the “gray ghost” for its extreme stealth, the bonefish is as tenacious as it gets and, pound for pound it will fight a fierce fight when hooked. Even though only 3-5 pounds on average, don't let the macefish's lack of size fool you.
There's a reason they're so coveted by shallow water anglers, from the Florida Keys to the Caribbean. Aimed at light or flying swivel rigs, you can expect long and powerful runs. In fact, I was so impressed with the fighting prowess of the fish, that Yvon Chouinard, avid fisherman and founder of the iconic outdoor brand Patagonia, said this during a macabi excursion: There is no other fish I know that can go so fast and so far. Add to that a no-quit-smoking attitude until the end of the fight, you could easily argue that the macabí should place even one or two points higher on our list.
Cobias are as coastal species as they are inhabitants of the high seas; they are as comfortable navigating coastal waters as they are prowling deep shipwrecks. Headed to the coast from New England to South Florida, from long docks and sandy beaches to shallow plains, Cobia is one of the top 10 fighters in every respect. Cobia is a relatively large and powerful fish that is commonly caught in the 25 to 50 lb range (although it can certainly exceed the 70 lb mark or more). But size and strength alone are not what make this shark-shaped game fish (in appearance) the equivalent of an old-school open-handed fighter.
Cobias are as individualistic as in a game fish, and with that said, don't expect two to fight exactly the same way. That's a big part of the unpredictability of this species: you're not sure what awaits you until you get hooked on one. I picked up cobias that fought to the bitter end and I also caught some that didn't live up to expectations, hence the lowest rating on the list. However, connect with an angry cobia and the fight of your life awaits you.
They will make your reel sing as several long and furious races take off, and even when navigating they don't give up, hitting wildly as if saying, “This isn't over yet.”. As a separate comment, it could also be argued that, as a table rate, cobia is the best on this list. It is this type of aggressiveness that has made striped bass entail so many fishermen along and along the Atlantic coast. Combine that aggressive nature with a good size (between 5 and 25 pounds on the coast; 40 to 50 lb specimens are not uncommon) and what you have is a predatory game fish that will ambush surface lures with abandon and give you a fight every step of the way.
The Pompano, also known as Florida Pompano and Carolina Pompano, doesn't get enough credit for their combat skills. This is more likely because they are smaller fish, enjoy a shorter season, and have a smaller distribution range than most of the other species on this list (Carolinas to Florida). But it shouldn't surprise us that they fell on this list, since they are part of the jack family that has such outstanding fighters as the Crevalle Jack (Jack) and the Permit. In fact, Pompano is sometimes confused with juvenile Permit fish and is often referred to as Permit's little cousin.
If you ever get the chance to fish Pompano, you'll quickly understand why this diminutive (can go up to 8 pounds, though most are in the 2 to 3 lb range) member of the Jack family deserves as much respect as their larger counterparts. Snook, or common snook, as it's officially known, is probably Florida's most popular coastal fish, and for good reason. They are a species that can be caught all year round (although they are caught and released strictly out of season). Anyone who has ever fished Snook will attest to his top-notch combat prowess.
With their size (20 to 30 pounds are common), their tenacious determination and their impressive strength, snooks are not easy to catch. Add to this the fact that they are often found around or near some structure (piles, docks, and rocks), the odds of successfully landing a large, trophy-sized Snook can quickly diminish. However, if you're lucky or skilled enough to survive this first attack, you'll most likely enjoy a spectacular display that often includes powerful repeated races with changes of direction, some aerobatics, frantic head movements and the like. It's no surprise that so many anglers get dizzy in anticipation of the opening of the Snook season.
This is a guy who knows how to fish. Captain Frank has fished almost all types of species in his long career, has clients such as MLB Hall of Famer (and IGFA record holder) Wade Boggs and was named one of the “50 Best Charter Captains in the World” by Saltwater Sportsman magazine. He is also the star of “The Fin Chasers”, in its third season on the Discovery Channel. Simply known as Jack by anglers, the playing qualities of this fish could essentially be summed up in two words: ultimate fighter.
Belonging to the same family that gave us the Pompano and the Permit, the Jack looks evil and certainly has a bad disposition when he gets hooked. But what makes this fish one of the best, a pound-for-pound fighter is strength, endurance and stubbornness. When hooked, expect the cat to pull hard and long. Although they can reach more than 50 pounds as adults, even small young people can fight worthy of admiration.
This is because these fish can grow (usually 20 pounds or more, with some specimens pushing 60 pounds) and possess world-class speed. You'd better be prepared and carry some sturdy tackle when you hit the water looking for the big ones. They will easily tear 100 or 200 yards of line from your reel in the blink of an eye, change direction in the middle of the fight and run towards you, tilt their wide bodies in the water in an effort to slow you down as they push them, and so on. All of the species we have listed are prized for their tenacity and fighting spirit, but no coastal species is as difficult to land as the shad (also known as Silver King and Sabalo).
That's because no other shoreline fish combines size (75 to 80 pounds on average, with many in the 100 to 150 lb range and the occasional giant pushing 300 lb), speed, endurance, and aerobatics the same way the Tarpon does. Cobia is a crazy fish to catch. In my experience, it's the type of fish that can fight hard and well. I live nowhere near the ocean and only fish freshwater, so being able to recognize which fish is what isn't the easiest thing for me in the ocean.
The Permit is one of the hardest fish to catch in Florida and many anglers spend a lot of time, energy and money trying to accomplish the challenging task. It is these fighting characteristics that have made stingray fishing a favorite with anglers from Maine to North Florida. The Blue Marlin is a rare Florida fish and those lucky enough to hook it should be prepared for a big fight. Catching a sportfish in Florida is one of the great events in a fisherman's life, but catching one of these sportfish is the event of a lifetime.
Preferred fishing methods include deep baits drifting at night, generally squid, bonito, mackerel or large mullet rigged, illuminated by small strobes or cialume sticks, casting live bait in front of fish, flapping on top, and slowly fishing live or dead baits at depth with the help of downriggers or weights. In keeping with that long-standing tradition of sport fishing, I wanted to tackle (yes, pun intended) one of those friendly, though sometimes passionately debated fishing topics, namely, which are the coastal fish that fight the most around. When fishing Pompano in season, you can easily fish along the waves, on beaches, as well as on fishing docks and coves. While fish under 20 pounds are sometimes found closer to shore, larger fish frequent schools, canyons and artificial structures on the high seas, such as oil platforms in blue waters, around which bait fish congregate.
But having caught many different types of fish in many different places and environments, I can tell you that, as a game fish, Bluefish is, pound for pound, top quality. The degree of difficulty in landing Tarpon was further highlighted in a study conducted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Revered by fly fishing enthusiasts, browns are arguably responsible for more angling obsessions than any other fish out there. Anglers must be willing to participate in some night fishing in Florida if they want to increase their chances of catching one.
Two of my target fish on the bucket list were achieved fishing in Costa Rica's beautiful Pacific waters. Proven fishing methods include drifting or trolling, live glasses, anchovies, sardines, horse mackerel, hardtails (also known as blue runners), trolling baits or bait with tackle, anchoring and chopping, and throwing plugs over the water and suspending plugs around the surface to feed fishes. They are very big fish and those who manage to hook one have the challenge of rolling it up while the fish moves and jumps. .
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