Welcome to the Hubbard’s Marina Fish ID page. Here you will find
pictures and information about the wide range of fish species that are
commonly caught in the Gulf of Mexico, on the variety of fishing
trips we offer.
NOTE -
size and bag limits, as well as open and closed seasons on certain
species, are subject to continual change as per national marine
fisheries guidelines. We enforce all changes to these
regulations as they occur, and we are made aware of the changes.
Click Here
for the national marine fisheries latest rules, regulations
and fishing limits in PDF format.
(download
the latest version
Adobe PDF Reader for free)
Hubbard’s Fish Finder
Click on any fish listed to see a picture and information about that
fish.
Groupers
Gag Grouper
(aka Blacks, Gag, Greybo)
Description: Brownish gray in color with dark patch patterns on the
sides. Tail fin is wide and often referred to as a broom tail. The Gag
Grouper is commonly confused with the black grouper which has darker
skin tone and more pronounced patch patterns. Average size 10-25 lbs.
Where found: Caught on our All Day, 12 hr, 34 hr and 48 hour trips. Found
offshore over rocks, reefs, ledges, and wrecks. Feeds on Live bait such
as pinfish, grass grunts, tomtate grunts, sand perch, blue runners,
cigar minnows, as well as a variety of dead baits.
Size Limit/Bag Limit:
Click Here for latest rules/regulations.
Current Florida Record: 80 lbs. 6oz.
Table Fare: Outstanding! White flaky fillets offering a light to mild
fish taste. One of the most sought after food fish in Florida. Served at
most local restaurants as a featured entrée.
Black Grouper
(aka Blackie, Broomtail, Carbo)
Description: olive or gray body coloration with black blotches and
brassy spots; gently rounded preopercle.
Where found: Caught on our All Day, 12 hr, 34 hr
and 48 hour trips. Found
offshore over rocks, reefs, ledges, and wrecks. Feeds on Live bait such
as pinfish, grass grunts, tomtate grunts, sand perch, blue runners,
cigar minnows, as well as a variety of dead baits.
Size/Bag Limit:
Click Here for latest rules/regulations.
Current Florida Record: N/A
Table Fare: Outstanding! White flaky fillets offering a light to mild
fish taste. One of the most sought after food fish in Florida. Served at
most local restaurants as a featured entrée.
Red Grouper
(aka. Red,
Fire Truck)
Description: Brownish red; lining of mouth scarlet-orange; blotches on
sides in unorganized pattern. Average size 8-15 lbs. Commonly caught
over 20 lbs.
Where Found: Caught on our All Day, 12 hr, 34 hr
and 48 hour trips. Feeds on
live bait (pinfish, cigar minnows, croakers, grunts) and dead bait (Spanish
sardines, squid, threadfin, finger mullet).
Size Limit/Bag Limit:
Click Here for latest rules/regulations.
Current Florida Record: 42 lbs. 4oz.
Table fare: Outstanding. Fillets are white and flaky when cooked. Very
light fish taste. Found on the menus of most Florida seafood
restaurants.
Scamp Grouper
Description: Light brown, with reddish brown spots on the sides. Tail
tips have distinctive plumes that extend from both ends. Average size
5-10lbs. Commonly caught over 10lbs.
Where Found: Caught on our All Day, 12 hr, 34 hr
and 48 hour trips off shore
over reefs, debris piles, and wrecks. Feeds aggressively on live bait
(pinfish, cigar minnows, croakers, grunts, sand perch). Also bites well
on dead bait (Spanish sardines, Boston mackerel, squid).
Size Limit / Bag Limit:
Click Here for latest rules/regulations.
Current Florida Record: 28 lbs. 6 oz.
Table Fare: Excellent. White flaky fillets offering a light to mild fish
taste when cooked.
Snappers
Grey Snapper
(aka Key West Snapper, Hubbard's Snapper)
Description: Brownish gray with blue stripes across top of head. Bright
orange around mouth, white belly. Average size 1-2 lbs. They offer a
great little fight and are extremely fun for Kids to catch.
Where found: Caught in large quantities on our ½
Day, All Day and 12 hour
trips. Found offshore over rocks and hard bottom. Feeds on cut squid and
other dead baits.
Size Limit/Bag Limit: None. You may keep as many as you wish.
Current Florida Record: 15 lbs. 8oz.
Table Fare: Outstanding! White flaky fillets offering a light to mild
fish taste. While fillets are small, usually large numbers of these fish
are caught on a trip. Makes great Fish nuggets.
Mangrove
Snapper (aka Mango, Grover, Goober)
Description: Dark brown and gray with reddish stripes along the sides;
two outstanding canine teeth at front of upper jaw; Average size 3-5
lbs. Commonly caught over 8 lbs.
Where Found: Caught on our 10 hr, 12 hr, 34 hr
and 48 hour trips. Larger adults
found offshore over hard bottom, ledges, reefs, and wrecks. Feeds on
dead bait like Spanish Sardines, Finger Mullet, and Threadfin herring.
Also feeds on live pinfish. Mangos are notorious bait stealers with a
quick bite and require quick reaction to successfully land.
Bag Limit/Size Limit:
Click Here for latest rules/regulations.
Current Florida Record: 17 lbs.
Table Fare: Excellent. Fillets are white and flaky when cooked and offer
a light to mild fish taste. Best prepared broiled, baked, or deep fried.
Red Snapper
(aka.
American Red, Genuine)
Description: Color reddish pink over entire body. Lower portion of body
off-white in color. Red Snapper are fierce fighters and offer a great
challenge to land. Average size 5-15 lbs.
Where Found: Caught on our 12 hr, 34 hr
and 48 hour trips over hard bottom,
rock piles, wrecks, potholes. Feeds best on dead bait (Spanish
sardines, threadfin and finger mullet, squid). Also feeds on live bait
(small pinfish, or cigar minnows).
Size Limit/Bag Limit:
Click Here for latest rules/regulations.
Current Florida Record: 46 lbs. 8oz.
Table Fare: Outstanding. Fillets are white and flaky when cooked
offering a very light fish taste with a sweet flavor.
Mutton Snapper
Description: Olive green on back and upper sides, fins below the
mid-section have a reddish tint. Blue lines can be seen below the eyes.
Small black spot just below dorsal fin. Average size 5-15 lbs. Commonly
caught up to 15 lbs.
Where Found: Caught on our 34 hr and 48 hour trips offshore in deeper water
150-250 feet, over Hard bottom, rock piles, wrecks, potholes. Feeds best
on dead bait such as Spanish sardines, threadfin herring, finger mullet,
Boston mackerel, and squid. Also feeds on small live baits like pinfish
and cigar minnows.
Size Limit/Bag Limit:
Click Here for latest rules/regulations.
Current Florida Record: 30 lbs. 4oz.
Table Fare: Excellent! Fillets are white and flaky when cooked offering
a very light fish taste with a sweet flavor.
Lane Snapper
Description: Reddish top with yellow lines running down its side.
Distinctive black spot near the anal fin. Average size 1-3 lbs.
Where Found: Caught on our All Day, 12 hr, 34 hr
and 48 hour trips. Adults
found offshore in depths of 40-200 feet over hard bottom, ledges, and
structure. Feeds on squid, and crustaceans.
Size Limit / Bag Limit :
Click Here for latest rules/regulations.
Current Florida Record: 6 lbs. 6oz.
Food Value: Very good table fare. White fillets, flaky when cooked
offering a light fish taste.
Yellow Tail Snapper
(aka Tail, Flag)
Description: Grey with yellow spots on back. Distinctive yellow stripe
through center of body, with a “yellow tail” and white under belly.
Average sizes 2-4 lbs.
Where found: Caught on our 10 hr, 12 hr, 34 hr
and 48 hour trips over reef, wrecks and ledges. Feeds aggressively on dead bait (Squid, Sardines,
threadfin).
Size Limit / Bag Limit: 12 inches Overall length.
10 per person per day
included in 10 Snapper daily aggregate.
Current Florida Record: 10 lbs.
Table Fare: Excellent. Fillets are white and flaky when cooked offering
a light to mild fish taste.
Cubera Snapper
Description: The largest in the snapper family. Dark brown in color with
orange striping. Large canine teeth are visible in both the upper and
lower jaws. Average size 25-60 lbs. Common over 60 lbs.
Where Found: Caught on our 34 hr and 48 hour trips. Found in the spring
time during their spawn offshore in deeper water between 150-300 feet
deep around wrecks, peaks, and hard bottom. Feed on live bait such as
pinfish, grass grunts and tomtate grunts, blue runners and larger
fish. Also likes squid, crabs and a variety of dead bait.
Size Limit/Bag Limit:
Click Here for latest rules/regulations.
Current Florida Record:
116 lbs.
Table Fare: Fair. Larger fish produce grainy fillets which provides a
tough texture to the meat. Not suggested for consumption.
Jacks
Greater
Amberjack (aka AJ, Jack, Reef Donkey)
Description: A distinctive dark stripe that extends from the nose to in
front of dorsal fin and "lights up" when fish is in feeding mode.
Average Size is 25-35 pounds and are commonly caught on our trips in
the 15-50 lb range.
Where found: Caught often on our 10 hr, 12 hr, 34 hr
and 48 hour trips. Found offshore around rocky reefs, debris and wrecks in 60 - 240 feet of
water. Amberjack are extremely hard fighters and known for their strong
runs when hooked. Amberjack feed best on live bait such as Pinfish, Sand
Perch, Tomtate Grunts, and Grass Grunts. They are known to hit dead
baits as well.
Size Limit/Bag Limit:
Click Here
for latest rules/regulations.
Current Florida Record: 142 lbs.
Table Fare: Fillets are thick and white in color with a mild to strong
fish taste depending upon how they’re cooked. Served as a premium fish
entrée’ at many local restaurants. Also a popular ingredient in Fish
Spread.
Pelagics
Mahi Mahi
(aka Dolphin
fish, Dorado)
Description: Bright greenish blue with yellow on sides and a variety of
other colors. Irregular blue or golden blotches scattered over sides.
Elongated dorsal fin that runs almost full length of body. Average size
5-20lbs. Commonly caught over 30 lbs. Larger females referred to as
“Cows” Larger males referred to as “Bulls”.
Where Found: Caught in the late Spring and Summer on our All Day, 12 hr,
34 hr and 48 hour trips. Found offshore in warmer waters around weed lines or
other floating objects. Swims at speeds in excess of 50 mph. Offers
spectacular aerial leaps out of the water when hooked. Feeds on flying
fish, ballyhoo, grass minnows, and squid. Trolling skirted lures is a
very effective method of catching these fish.
Size Limit/Bag Limit:
Click Here for latest rules/regulations.
Current Florida Record: 77 lbs. 12 oz.
Table Fare: Outstanding! Often referred to as “Chicken of the Sea” Thin
white flaky fillets with a very light fish taste. A very popular dish in
local restaurants.
Sailfish
(aka
Sail)
Description: Grey with yellow spots on back. Distinctive yellow stripe
through center of body, with a “yellow tail” and white under belly.
Average sizes 2-4 lbs.
Where found: Caught on our 34 hr, 48 hr
and 55 hour Pelagic magic trips offshore. A rapid growing species, reaching 4 to 5 feet in a single
year; swims at speeds up to 50 knots; feeds on the surface or at
mid-depths on smaller pelagic fishes and squid.
Size Limit / Bag Limit:
All Sailfish caught from a Hubbard’s Vessel will be released. Have your
cameras ready to capture your fish when it is brought boat side.
Current Florida Record: 116 lbs.
Table Fare: N/A. All catches are released.
Blue Marlin
Description: Bright blue on top shading to silvery white on bottom;
upper jaw elongated in form of spear; dorsal fin pointed at front end;
pectoral fin and anal fin pointed body covered with embedded scales
ending in one or two sharp points.
Where found: Caught on our 55 hour Pelagic Magic trips. Far offshore. A
blue water fish. All of trophy size are females; males do not exceed 300
pounds. Feeds on squid and pelagic fishes, including black fin tuna and
frigate mackerel. Artificial baits trolled.
Size/ Bag limit: All marlin caught from a Hubbard’s Vessel will be
safely released. Have your cameras ready to capture your fish when it is
brought boat side.
Current Florida Record: 980 lbs. 8 oz.
Swordfish
(aka Sword)
Description: Grey with yellow spots on back. Distinctive yellow stripe
through center of body, with a “yellow tail” and white under belly.
Average sizes 2-4 lbs.
Where found: Caught on our 55 hour Pelagic Magic trips. Found far offshore. A deepwater fish.
Size Limit / Bag Limit:
Click Here for latest rules/regulations.
Current Florida Record: 8 lbs. 9 oz.
Table Fare: Excellent. Fillets/Steaks are white and flaky when cooked
offering a mild to strong fish taste.
Black Fin Tuna
(aka
Football)
Description: The most abundant of the Tunas. Football shaped body with
large eyes, a dark color pattern on the back and a grayish silver
mid-section. They are hard fighting fish making long burst type runs. Average size 15-30 lbs.
Where Found: Caught on our 12 hour, 34 hour and 48 hour
trips. Found near reefs, wrecks, hard bottom as well behind shrimp boats
in the early morning hours feeding on their by-catch. Black fin Tuna are
commonly caught on live bait such as pinfish. They are also caught on
dead bait presented on a weightless flat line rig off the back of the
boat.
Size Limit/Bag Limit: None
Current Florida Record: 45 lbs. 8 oz.
Table Fare: Exceptional! Fillets or Steaks are delicious either cooked
rare, or eaten as sushi. Tuna has a very distinctive flavor and is
considered a delicacy worldwide.
Yellowfin Tuna
Description: Grey with yellow spots on back. Distinctive yellow stripe
through center of body, with a “yellow tail” and white under belly.
Average sizes 2-4 lbs.
Where found: Caught on our 55 hour Pelagic magic trips far offshore in deep
waters. Feeds aggressively on dead bait (Squid, Sardines, threadfin)
trolled artificial baits and a variety of live baits.
Size Limit / Bag Limit:
Click Here
for latest rules/regulations.
Current Gulf of Mexico Record: 235 lbs
Table Fare: Exceptional! Fillets or Steaks are delicious either cooked
rare or eaten as sushi. Tuna has a very distinctive flavor and is
considered a delicacy worldwide.
Wahoo
(aka Hoo,
Hoo's Your
daddy)
Description: Sharp Pointed head with a torpedo shaped body. Distinctive
dark blue color along its back. Light blue "Tiger Stripes" down the side
which become more visible or "light up" when fish is feeding or becomes
aggressive. Average size 20-50 lbs. Commonly caught over 60 lbs.
Where Found: Caught our 12 hour, 34 hr, 48 hr
and 55 hour Pelagic magic trips.
Found far offshore warm tropical waters near the surface or over sharp
drop offs. Ideal water temperatures of 70-80 degrees. A high speed,
aggressive feeder, reaching speeds in excess of 50mph.
Size Limit
/ Bag Limit: N/A
Current Florida Record: 139 lbs.
Table Fare:
Excellent. Fillets/Steaks are white and flaky when cooked. Mild to
medium fish taste. Known to have a “sweet” flavor to meat. A
great fish to marinate and grill outdoors.
King Mackerel
(aka
Kingfish, Smoker)
Description: Torpedo shaped body Silver color on the side of body, with
a greenish blue color on their back. A hard fighting fish, known for
long, steady, high speed runs. Average size 10-40lbs. Commonly caught up
to 60 lbs.
Where found: Caught on our All Day, 12 hr, 34 hr, 48 hr
and 55 hour Pelagic magic
trips during the Spring and Fall migration in depths from 35 feet to 200
feet around hard bottom, reefs, and wrecks. Feeds best on slow trolled
live bait (blue runners, pinfish, cigar minnows, ladyfish, ribbonfish,
mullet and threadfin hearing). Also feeds on flat-lined dead bait like Spanish sardines, threadfin and finger mullet.
Size/Bag Limit: -
Click Here for latest rules/regulations.
Current Florida
Record: 130 lbs. 1oz.
Table Fare: Excellent. Fillets or Steaks are delicious either
cooked rare, or eaten as sushi. Tuna has a very distinctive flavor and
is considered a delicacy worldwide.
Cobia
(aka Ling, Cobe)
Description: Long slender body, dark brown on type, with a black line
through mid-section and lighter colored lower body. Average size 15-30
lbs. Common over 40 lbs.
Where Found: Caught on our All Day, 12 hr, 34 hr, 48 hour trips. Found both
offshore and in shore near reefs, wrecks, pilings and hard bottom. They
are a hard fighting fish making strong deep runs when hooked. Feed on
live bait such as pinfish, grass grunts and tomtate grunts. Also likes
squid, crabs and a variety of dead bait.
Size Limit/Bag Limit:
Click Here for latest rules/regulations.
Current Florida Record: 90 lbs.
Table Fare: Good if cooked properly. Fillets are grayish in color,
offering a medium to strong fish taste. Can be grilled, smoked, broiled
or used as supplemental ingredient in fish spread.
Sea Bass
(a.k.a.
Sea Biscuit, Knot head)
Description: Black and dark brown skin with black on white stripes.
Distinctive hump on the top of their head. Average size 1-2 lbs.
Where Found: Caught on our ½
Day, All Day & 12 hour trips found offshore
found over hard bottom, ledges and rubble piles. Feeds
aggressively on dead bait such as squid and sardines.
Size Limit / Bag Limit:
Click Here for latest rules/regulations.
Current Florida Record: 5 lbs. 1oz.
Table Fare: Excellent. Very white, flaky meat offering a light
fish taste when cooked.
Porgy
Description:
Silverfish in color with some species having bluish tinted
stripes. Jolt head version has sharply sloped blunt head. Average size
1-2 lbs.
Where Found: Caught on our ½ Day, All Day, 12 hr and 34 hour trips. Offshore
over hard bottom, ledges and reefs. Feeds on dead bait like squid, and
small crustaceans.
Size Limit/Bag: No size or bag limit on this species.
Table Fare: Good. White flaky fillets when cooked. Mild fish taste.
Black Tip Shark
Description: The most common shark to West Florida. Brownish skin tone
with distinctive black tips at the end of each fin. Average size 50-125
lbs.
Where Found: Caught on our All Day, 12 hour, 34 hour trips. Found
near reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom. Black tip sharks are commonly
caught on live bait such as pinfish, blue runners, cigar minnows, tomtate grunts and sand perch. They are also caught often on dead bait.
Size Limit/Bag Limit:
Click Here for latest rules/regulations.
Current Florida Record: 152 lbs.
Table Fare: Excellent! One of the more tasteful of the shark family.
Mild to strong fish taste. Outstanding if marinated and cooked on the
grill.
Barracuda
Description: Long torpedo shaped body with dark striped color pattern on
the back, grayish silver mid-section, with random black spots on the
lower body. Elongated jaws display rows of razor sharp teeth.. Barracuda
are a hard fighting fish when hooked and make frantic runs away from the
boat. They are notorious for biting big fish in ½ while being reeled in.
Average size 15-30 pounds. Common over 40 lbs.
Where Found: Caught on our 10 hr, 12 hr, 34 hr
and 48 hour trips. Found near
reefs, wrecks, hard bottom, and mud flats. They feed on any live bait as
well as dead bait. They are notorious for biting fish in half that are
being reeled in by anglers.
Bag Limit/Size Limit: No size or bag limits are currently in place.
Current Florida Record: 67 lbs.
Table Fare: None. Barracuda are not recommended for human consumption.