Beginner-Friendly Offshore Fishing in Jacksonville

Black Grouper

Black Grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) Fish Description

The Black Grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci), or sometimes called black rockfish or marbled rockfish, is a saltwater fish usually found in the western Atlantic. Most of the fish’s body is olive or gray except for the dark rectangular blotches (with some brassy spots) scattered all over its body, including the head and fins. Its fins are mostly round except for the square-ish tail and the front part of its two-segment dorsal is spiny. All of the fins are also bordered with rounded dark blue or black colors. 

The body of the black grouper is quite meaty and oblong. It has small eyes despite its rather big head and the lower jaw is sticking out. Another distinguishing feature this fish has is the rather roundish preopercle or cheek.

Like most grouper fish species, Black Groupers are protogynous hermaphrodites. This means that all of them are born females. When they reach a certain age and size, or when they reach sexual maturity, many become males for them to be able to reproduce. The spawning season usually starts in November and ends in May. Spawning starts with both the males and females releasing their sperms and eggs in the water. The fertilized eggs would just drift with the current until they hatch. The youngs would then feed mostly on small crustaceans they would find drifting in the water. As they mature to adulthood, they would include small reef fishes like snappers and herrings as well as small squids in their diet. 

Interesting Facts About Black Groupers

• The biggest Black Grouper ever caught on record measures five feet long and weighs almost one hundred and twenty five pounds.
• The gigantic Black Grouper was caught by Floridian angler Alex Newman in the Gulf of Mexico during a fishing tournament in 2015.
• Black Groupers are mostly solitary except during spawning season, which usually starts when the weather gets cold.
• They are ambush predators, using their large powerful jaws to snatch unsuspecting prey in reefs.
• Despite being predators, they don’t use their teeth to tear their prey’s flesh.
• They just use their large mouths and gills to suck in their prey.
• They can usually be found in other fish species’ spawning grounds as they prey on aggregating spawning fishes.
• They can live for more than thirty years, with some even reaching fifty years according to some reports.
• The Black Grouper is a favorite target among commercial and sports fishers.
• Its meat is quite tasty and is usually sold whole, filleted, or as steak.
• Its meat has a mild flavor with a soft yet firm texture.
• It said that its meat is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B6, vitamin B12, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium.

Black Grouper Size and Swimming Speed

Although Black Groupers can reach five feet long and can weigh almost 125 pounds, these sizes are quite rare. Most only average more than 2 feet in length. Because of their girth, Black Groupers are also not built for speed.

Black Grouper Habitat and Distribution

Black Groupers are endemic in the western Atlantic. This means that they can mostly be found off the coasts of Massachusetts extending as far south as southern Brazil. You can also fish for this species within the Gulf of Mexico—where the biggest one is caught—as well as in the Keys and the Caribbean Sea.  

Black Groupers tend to stay in coastal waters around offshore wrecks, ledges, reefs, and other structures where they usually hunt for food near the bottom. They are also not that fussy when it comes to the depth they tend to swim in. One can find them in shallow waters of up to thirty feet when the weather is cold. They would however swim in depths of up to three hundred feet during summer and spring.

Black Grouper Fishing Tips

What they lack in speed, the Black Grouper can certainly make up for with their strength and tenacity. So once you hook one, get ready for a long and exhausting battle with this fish. That’s why you should come prepared with heavy duty gear that could withstand the tough fight you’re going to be in. A reel capable of putting out 20-plus pounds of drag at minimum, coupled with an 80lb braided line and a 100lb leader will be enough. 

For bait, the Black Grouper is not that picky as they eat anything—may your choice of bait be alive or dead. Just as long as you present your bait where the fish is usually at—which is right at the bottom, it would certainly lunge at anything you might offer it. Also, Black Groupers are not known to nibble at their prey. They tend to suck their food whole. So once you feel a slight tug on your line, start cranking your line in immediately as not to allow the fish to swim back down to the rocks below and snap your line.

Lastly, Black Groupers are usually preyed upon by other reef predators, including sharks and moray eels. So if you’re trying to reel in one, you might also encounter some other aggressive predators that would try to snatch away your prized catch. So be ready to fight with them as well.

Black Sea Bass

## Black Sea Bass Fish Species (Centropristis Striata) ## Fish Description Black Sea Bass is a member of the Grouper family. They are plump-bodied with an extended pelvic and dorsal fin. The dorsal fin comes with a soft rayed rear section and a spiny forward section, marked with a sequence of white spots and bands. Their body color is gray to black, but the center of the scales is white. During the spawning season, males can turn bright blue in color and have a large hump on their heads. Juveniles are brown and have a dark stripe running down the body. ## Fish Size The Black Seabass can reach about 25 inches in length; weigh more than 8 pounds, although most of them caught is less than 4 pounds in weight. The Black Sea Bass world record catch is 10 lb 4 oz. and was caught in Virginia Beach, January 2000. ## Fun Facts About Black Sea Bass Up until recently, the furthest north the black bass was found was Massachusetts. Because of the warming climate, the bass has ventured up to the Gulf of Maine where the water temperatures have increased over the years. They are born as females then change to males. This generally happens when they reach 9 - 13 inches Social interaction can play a big role in this sex reversal. The removal of the big male from the Black Sea Bass population may cause one or more of the remaining bigger females to change sex and play the male role. The female Black Seabass normally matures at the age of 2 to 5 years and produces about 280,000 pelagic eggs. ## Fish Diet Adult and juvenile Black Sea Bass feed on a variety of invertebrates such as hermit crabs, rock crabs, squid, and razor clams. ## Distribution and Habitat  ## Fishing Method The best time to fish for Black Sea Bass is from late spring to summer when they congregate close to the shore. Underwater structures like jetties, piers, and wrecks, is where you will be likely to find them. The bigger males will be found in deeper water and a rocky bottom. The Black Seabass will put up a good fight until it breaks water. A medium-weight rod that's 6-8 feet long with a reel with a 20-30 pound fused, mono or braided line will be successful. They are mostly bottom feeders although they will occasionally strike at jigs, plugs, and lures including a 2 hook bait rig. Live bait such as squid or fish strips is a very good method. The Federal Recreational Black Sea Bass season is February 1 through 28, and May 15 through December 31. ## Habitat During the summer months, they will gather around sunken wrecks, rocky bottoms, old pilings, and wharves and are most abundant at depths of less than 120 feet. Juvenile seabass tend to prefer estuaries where they feed and avoid predators. During the winter months, they migrate to the more south Atlantic states and offshore. ## Distribution Black Seabass are found on the US eastern seaboard from the Gulf of Maine to the Florida Keys and then to the Gulf of Mexico.

Red Snapper

Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) 

Fish Description 

Red Snapper can grow very large.  They are pink to light red in color when they are young, and as they mature they turn red over most of their body. The lower area of their body is pale-white in color. 

They are popular with recreational fishermen as well as commercial seafood markets and restaurants. Snappers are bottom dwellers that are a trophy catch for anglers.

Habitat and Distribution

The Red Snapper is commonly found on the Atlantic coast of the US and the Gulf of Mexico. They like water temperatures of 50-70 degrees. Juveniles are found inshore and muddy bottoms. Adult snappers are found mainly near structure in deep water. 

Red snapper is commonly found at the depth of 30 - 620 feet in the Gulf of Mexico and down the eastern coast of the US.

Size 

Red snapper can grow to 3 feet  and weigh 35 pounds or more, but the average size caught is 1-2 feet long and weighs less than 10 pounds. The world record is 50 lbs 4 oz. the monster was caught off Louisiana water in 1966. Their lifespan is more than 20 years. 

Spawning

Larger, matured Red Snapper produces more eggs than the young ones. A 24-inch female snapper (about 8 years) produces a large number of eggs as 212 17-inch females (about 5 years), most of the red snapper caught in the Gulf today is around 4-6 years old. 

Fertilized eggs drift to the surface and hatch in about one day. After just a month, the young fish settle out of the water column in shallow water, and as they grow older they move to a regulated habitat where they will mature and eventually move to the deeper Gulf waters of the bay.  The spawning season is between May and October. 

The females lay eggs in rocky and shallow regions or on coral reefs. Generally, the eggs hatch within a day, and the young one settles out of the water column in shallow waters. 

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Red Snapper

Red Snapper can be caught using rigs, manual reels, handline, and electric reels, all dressed with heavyweights and multiple hooks. Lure with cigar minnows or fresh squid; pigfish or live pinfish will land the biggest snapper. Other effective bait is octopus, live squid, and shrimp, followed by small natural baitfish in the area. Keep in mind that you need to take the baits down the bottom to where the Red Snapper settles. When fishing Red Snapper, don’t forget that they are true warriors They will give you a real fight when hooked. They will often run to cover or near debris, which can be entangled or even cut your line. 

Snappers can also be caught fly fishing. Some anglers like to work chum in the snapper area and then fly fish to rising fish. But if snapper is near the surface, fly fishing is a great and exciting technique. Rig setup is an 11 - 13-weight fly line tipped with Clouser minnows and deceivers. The key is presenting the fly to the snapper naturally. As the fly floats back toward the snapper, strip the line as you would normally retrieve the fly. The snapper will attack the moving fly.

Red Snapper Good to Eat?  

Absolutely! Red Snapper is a fish that has a mild and nutty taste. It is delicious and a very popular fish for at home and in restaurants. It is considered one of the most in-demand fish.  To really experience the true essence of Red Snapper's taste, it is important to cook it with minimal seasoning. A light seasoning of salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice is enough to enhance its natural flavor. Whether baked or pan-fried, this fish tastes delicious when cooked in a straightforward manner. Its taste is one of the main reasons why Red Snapper is such a popular dish among seafood enthusiasts. The next time you eat Red Snapper, try to savor its unique taste by keeping the seasoning simple.

This tasty fish will not only satisfies your taste buds but also provides numerous health benefits. From improving heart health to aiding in weight loss, red snapper is full of essential nutrients that can have a positive impact on your overall well-being. 

Health Benefits of Red Snapper

Red Snapper is a highly satisfying seafood that is not only an absolute delight to taste buds, but also a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are essential for maintaining a healthy body and mind. In addition, Red Snapper is low in calories, high in protein, and low in saturated fats, making it an excellent choice for those who wish to maintain a healthy diet. It is rich in vitamins B12 and D, iron, and potassium, all of which are essential nutrients for a healthy life. As a result, consuming Red Snapper offers numerous health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease, improving brain function and memory, boosting the immune system, and promoting healthy skin and hair. When it comes to choosing a delicious and healthy seafood option, Red Snapper is undoubtedly an excellent choice.

Sheepshead

Sheephead Fish (Archosargus Probatocephalus) Description 

The Sheepshead is a beautiful fish with a deeply compressed grey body. They have five to seven dark bars on the sides of its body, giving it the nickname of convict fish. They also have sharp dorsal spines, but what they are really famous for are their human-like teeth. 

Size 

Sheepshead are common at 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches. However, if you are lucky, you could come across one at 20 pounds, 35-inches. They live a relatively long life, about 20 years. 

Spawning 

Sheepshead form spawning groups of up to 10,000 fish. They migrate to structures at channel passes and offshore reefs, jetties, and oil platforms. They primarily spawn in the early spring from February through April. 

Interesting Facts 

• Sheepshead fish are nicknamed convict fish for their gray and black stripes.
• Sheepshead Bay in New York got its name from these fish there were once abundant. However, the bay's popularity caused water pollution, and the Sheepshead have all but disappeared from the bay.
• The delicate white flesh and delicious mild flavor of the Sheepshead make it excellent table fare, but their tough scales and strong fin spines make this species difficult to clean or fillet. Because of this, it is sometimes passed over in favor of other food fish.

Habitat and Distribution

You will find these fish around structures of any kind, docks, bridges, petroleum rigs, and reefs. Any barnacle-covered pilings make for great places to catch some big Sheepshead fish. Although they usually stay near cover, occasionally, they will also come closer to shore to feed on sand fleas (a type of crab). 

Sheepshead are found along the entire east coast of the United States and around Florida to the Gulf of Mexico. The highest concentrations are found in south Florida to the Gulf of Mexico. Because of the large number of artificial structures and pier pilings in northwest Florida, you will also find large concentrations. They can also be found as far north as Nova Scotia. 

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Sheepshead

If your fishing from a boat, pull up to the structure without dropping an anchor, if possible, as it will startle the fish. They seldom go after baits too far from their cover, so get as close as you can. Anglers on land can still catch the big one off the dock or seawall. Just as the boat angler would do, cast your bait as close to the pilings as possible. Using light tackle, let the bait hit bottom, then slowly bring the bait up in 1-foot increments to determine where the fish are suspended in the water as they are pelagic. They may lurk near the bottom or hover in any depth. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers. They will nibble on the bait in an attempt to loosen it from the hook, so always have it set up firmly. They also have powerful mouths and jaws, so once you feel the fish's weight nibbling at the bait, set the hook aggressively.

Look for these King-of-the-Reef fish around structures where they love to feed on barnacles, small stone crab, and fiddler crab. They also eat shrimp, mollusks, minnows, clams, and squid. When choosing a bait, a natural one is the best way to go. However, if you are looking for a jig to use, consider a shrimp-tipped jig. The heavier weight helps keep the bait down and from being dragged with the current. If your local laws allow, you may even scrape barnacles off the pilings with a rake to create a seeping area of meat pieces in the water. The Sheepshead will quickly hone in on the scent, and you will have them come to you. 

Sheepshead Good to Eat?

Sheepshead is an excellent choice for those who love delicious, sustainable seafood options. This fish has a mild flavor that makes it suitable for any palate. Its white, sweet and succulent flesh is a perfect complement to any dish. Sheepshead is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, making it a healthy choice for anyone looking to maintain a well-balanced diet. It is also low in mercury, which means you can enjoy it without worrying about any potential health risks.   A diet rich in Sheepshead fish can help in improving heart health by lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart diseases. It can also support brain function, boost immunity, and aid in muscle growth and repair. Whether grilled, baked, or fried, Sheepshead fish is an excellent addition to any meal.  So, if you have not tried this fish yet, it is time to do so and discover its exceptional taste and health benefits.