Fish Identification

W

Will-C

New member
We are headed to Florida for a month in March. In preparation I was reviewing the fishing regs and I see there might be a need to hire a fish lawyer for on board fish keeping consultations. I have some rulers with most of the sizes bag limits etc but as you know there are lots of different kinds of snappers. :o and all those groupers. The groupers are easy as they are shut down in March except for the Snowy I think. I wondered if there was a book that someone might recommend to best properly identify species that might end up in the boat. That way I don't have to eat the fish right away. Thanks for your responses.
D.D.
 
I'm with you on the fish identification and rules regarding Florida fish and fishing in Florida; it'd be real easy to get crossed up with the rabbit sheriff down there.
There ia a small poster like publication, available in tackle shops around the state, that lists and has pictures of many of the game species of fish in Florida.
CV
 
Got one at the house that I take out when running charters. I will get the name this evening and post it. It covers everything in the Gulf of Mexico and then some!
 
Google FWC Fishing and look at the many sites for info about fishing in Florida. You can print a copy of the current Salt Water Regulations if you like. The fishing rules in Florida change with the tides it seems and even the FWC Officers say they have a lot of trouble keeping up with the current laws. The best way is to keep a current copy of the regs on you boat and try to follow them. I hope you have fun in Florida and catch lots of fish. :lol:
 
I'm not sure if this politically correct or not but I'm going to say it anyway. God Bless You Marty, not everyone gets me. :lol: :cigar :lol:
D.D.
 
My idea is to basically make a list of species that are lawful to keep in March on the Atlantic side along with the size and bag limits of each. The basic stuff like sea trout, weakfish,bluefish,jacks,tarpon I can identify ok, but there are a lot of similar looking fish, I hate to keep talking about snappers all the time but they are the best example. I wanted to tell the differance between a pompano and a small permit. I want to be able to know one from another ahead of time. I want to avoid having to stop fishing and having to get my grubby paws on a book to try and figure out the subtle differences between fish cousins. I have heard of knowledgeable charter captains from Florida having arguements with the fish cops about what kind of fish they are actually holding in their hands. If this happens I can get my trusty book out just before they throw the cuffs on me. Thanks for your responses.
D.D.
 
You can go to rod n reel .com and use their fish identifier program. Free, very extensive, and great pictures with decriptions. Then you can print those pages you want.
 
Bob,
I just found some good used copies of both of your recommended books on Amazon and purchased them online. I think McLane's book is still in print. Thanks for all the good information that you provide at such a good price to this site.
Merry Christmas
D.D.
 
Whew... for one moment, I thought some entity had gotten to Game and Fish and was going to require fish in Florida to carry an ID card... like TWIC for mariners. Not to get too far off topic, but have any of the captains here ever had to show their TWIC, other than for an on-site CG inspection? :roll:

Dave, around here, they sell a laminated card that shows most of the fish species and size regs... probably not as complicated as FL, though.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Jim,
There is a different set of fish laws in Florida for the Atlantic Ocean side of Florida than there is for the gulf side. I have to find out if the back side of the keys is considered the gulf side as we plan to come out of Key West via the ICW on the backside and come back to the Atlantic side at Bahia Honda. I plan to ask for more specfic info about the Gulf and Atlantic dividing line at the local tackle shops. My main concern was to be able to identify the species. I might as well just buy some fish at the Piggly Wiggly or Publix. I mean the fishing licence is 50 bucks. Plus my investment in books and and equipment this might be worst than some of Charlie's investments. :xnaughty
D.D.
 
The name of the book is "Anglers Guide to Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico". The authors are Jerald Horst and Mike Lane. The book is fully illustrated by Duane Raver. It is the most comprehensive, current publication out there. Here is the link to the web based Fish Identifier as well as the book. http://www.fl.rodngun.com/gulffish/gulffish.asp



@ JamesTXSD
Had to show my TWIC one time, after the oil spill, upon entering Gulfport Harbor
 
Will-c, was it politically incorrect because of the god thing or because your open statement of love for your fellow c-brat was border line gay? Not that there is anything wrong with that.. just checking to see which :wink:
 
I carry "Sport Fish of Florida" by Vic Dunaway on board and would recommend it to anyone who fishes in Florida. It has served me well for many years.
 
starcrafttom":2iprp9co said:
Will-c, was it politically incorrect because of the god thing or because your open statement of love for your fellow c-brat was border line gay? Not that there is anything wrong with that.. just checking to see which :wink:
Click to expand...
Tom,
I'm not seeing the gay thing in my post to Marty, if your looking for new friends of that persuasion I'm not your guy. I do like Marty however, but not in that way. Out east at least it's still possible to have male friends and not be stigmatized. :lol: Good luck in your search for real love.

Island Park, I bought the book Sport Fish of Florida also. Thanks to all for your replies. Fun site!
D.D.
 
"Anglers Guide to Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico" certainly looks like a great book from the web site! You could print out the species which are most confusing (for example snapper and Grouper), and laminate those.

For those who want a pocket guide (5.5" x 7" x 1/4"), which probably would survive some dirty fingers, take a look at:

"Florida Salt Water Fish ID" ISBN 0-97449091-1-4 (Older edition) For some reason their web site is done right now--was up earlier. This s a spiral bound guide, with 17 plastic coated pages. Has good photos, the Florida Record size and regulations--susposedly kept up to date....However I am not sure you would have enough information to differentiate a black grouper from a Gag Grouper..
 
I use/used the web based fish identification from rodnreel.com for a long time. But once when I really needed it I was too far off shore for cell reception. That is when I decided to buy the book.
 
Back
Top