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Saltwater Fish Species

Saltwater species roam the bays, flats, nearshore reefs, and open ocean along both US coasts and the Gulf of Mexico. These fish tend to be stronger fighters pound-for-pound than their freshwater cousins, and many are prized as table fare as well as sport. From redfish tailing on shallow grass flats to tuna running offshore, saltwater fishing demands an understanding of tides, structure, and bait presentation. This library covers the most sought-after saltwater gamefish in US waters, with data sourced from FishBase and NOAA.

135 species in this category

Jack

African Pompano

African Pompano (Alectis ciliaris) inhabits offshore reefs. Popular technique: d…

Tuna

Albacore Tuna

The white-meat tuna of canned fame. Long pectoral fins distinguish this smaller …

Amberjack

Almaco Jack

Almaco Jack (Seriola rivoliana) inhabits offshore open water. Popular technique:…

Tuna

Atlantic Bonito

Atlantic Bonito (Sarda sarda) inhabits nearshore atlantic. Popular technique: ca…

Cod

Atlantic Cod

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) inhabits deep cold atlantic, offshore banks. Popular…

Drum

Atlantic Croaker

Atlantic Croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) inhabits bays, nearshore. Popular tec…

Flatfish

Atlantic Halibut

Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) inhabits deep cold atlantic. Popula…

Mackerel

Atlantic Mackerel

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) inhabits nearshore northeast atlantic. Popu…

Amberjack

Banded Rudderfish

Banded Rudderfish (Seriola zonata) inhabits nearshore to offshore. Popular techn…

Jack

Bar Jack

Bar Jack (Caranx ruber) inhabits coral reefs, caribbean. Popular technique: jigg…

Surfperch

Barred Surfperch

Barred Surfperch (Amphistichus argenteus) inhabits pacific surf zone. Popular te…

Tuna

Bigeye Tuna

Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus) inhabits deep offshore, night surface. Popular tech…

Drum

Black Drum

Black Drum (Pogonias cromis) inhabits bays, nearshore, jetties. Popular techniqu…

Reef

Black Grouper

Premier reef predator. Bottom bulldog of structure-heavy offshore and nearshore …

Billfish

Black Marlin

Fastest fish in the ocean. Indo-Pacific species known for blistering runs and ta…

Rockfish

Black Rockfish

Black Rockfish (Sebastes melanops) inhabits pacific rocky reefs, kelp. Popular t…

Sea Bass

Black Sea Bass

Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata) inhabits nearshore reefs, wrecks. Popular…

Tuna

Blackfin Tuna

Blackfin Tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) inhabits offshore atlantic, gulf. Popular tec…

Shark

Blacktip Shark

Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) inhabits nearshore, surf, flats. Popular …

Billfish

Blue Marlin

Legendary blue-water gamefish. Size, beauty, and aerial acrobatics make this the…

Rockfish

Blue Rockfish

Blue Rockfish (Sebastes mystinus) inhabits pacific kelp forests. Popular techniq…

Jack

Blue Runner

Blue Runner (Caranx crysos) inhabits nearshore offshore. Popular technique: cast…

Shark

Blue Shark

Blue Shark (Prionace glauca) inhabits offshore open ocean. Popular technique: he…

Tuna

Bluefin Tuna

The giant of tunas. North Atlantic migrations produce the biggest fish caught on…

Other

Bluefish

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) inhabits nearshore atlantic, surf. Popular techni…

Reef Fish

Bluestriped Grunt

Bluestriped Grunt (Haemulon sciurus) inhabits coral reefs, grass flats. Popular …

Rockfish

Bocaccio

Bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis) inhabits deep pacific offshore. Popular techniqu…

Flats

Bonefish

The ghost of the flats. Famous for blistering runs across shallow Bahamian and F…

Rockfish

Brown Rockfish

Brown Rockfish (Sebastes auriculatus) inhabits pacific bays, rocky shores. Popul…

Shark

Bull Shark

Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) inhabits nearshore, estuaries, rivers. Popular …

Other

Cabezon

Cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) inhabits pacific kelp, rocky reefs. Popular…

Flatfish

California Halibut

California Halibut (Paralichthys californicus) inhabits pacific nearshore kelp e…

Amberjack

California Yellowtail

California Yellowtail (Seriola lalandi) inhabits pacific kelp, offshore islands.…

Rockfish

Canary Rockfish

Canary Rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) inhabits pacific offshore reefs. Popular tec…

Mackerel

Cero Mackerel

Cero Mackerel (Scomberomorus regalis) inhabits caribbean reefs. Popular techniqu…

Rockfish

China Rockfish

China Rockfish (Sebastes nebulosus) inhabits pacific rocky reefs, kelp. Popular …

Pelagic

Cobia

Also called ling or lemonfish. Curious nearshore fighter often sight-cast near r…

Inshore

Common Snook

Florida inshore superstar. Wary, structure-loving, and famous for tackle-busting…

Rockfish

Copper Rockfish

Copper Rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) inhabits pacific rocky reefs. Popular techni…

Drum

Corbina

Corbina (Menticirrhus undulatus) inhabits pacific surf zone. Popular technique: …

Jack

Crevalle Jack

Crevalle Jack (Caranx hippos) inhabits nearshore, surf, flats. Popular technique…

Snapper

Cubera Snapper

Cubera Snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus) inhabits deep reefs, structure. Popular te…

Snapper

Dog Snapper

Dog Snapper (Lutjanus jocu) inhabits deep reefs, caribbean. Popular technique: b…

Snook

Fat Snook

Fat Snook (Centropomus parallelus) inhabits mangroves, inlets, rivers. Popular t…

Other

Florida Pompano

Florida Pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) inhabits surf zone, nearshore. Popular t…

Reef Fish

French Grunt

French Grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) inhabits coral reefs, caribbean. Popular t…

Grouper

Gag Grouper

Gag Grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis) inhabits offshore reefs, ledges. Popular t…

Grouper

Goliath Grouper

Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara) inhabits nearshore wrecks, reefs. Popular …

Reef Fish

Gray Triggerfish

Gray Triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) inhabits offshore reefs, wrecks. Popular t…

Other

Great Barracuda

Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) inhabits tropical reefs, open water. Popul…

Shark

Great Hammerhead

Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) inhabits nearshore to offshore. Popular tech…

Amberjack

Greater Amberjack

Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili) inhabits offshore reefs, wrecks. Popular te…

Flatfish

Gulf Flounder

Gulf Flounder (Paralichthys albigutta) inhabits gulf coast, bays. Popular techni…

Cod

Haddock

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) inhabits offshore banks, deep water. Popular …

Reef Fish

Hogfish

Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus) inhabits shallow coral reefs. Popular technique: …

Jack

Horse-Eye Jack

Horse-Eye Jack (Caranx latus) inhabits nearshore reef, caribbean. Popular techni…

Other

Kelp Greenling

Kelp Greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) inhabits pacific kelp forests. Popular …

Mackerel

King Mackerel

Smoker kings. Fast Atlantic and Gulf pelagic with sharp teeth and long runs.

Other

Ladyfish

Ladyfish (Elops saurus) inhabits bays, inlets, nearshore. Popular technique: lig…

Snapper

Lane Snapper

Lane Snapper (Lutjanus synagris) inhabits shallow reefs, grass flats. Popular te…

Shark

Lemon Shark

Lemon Shark (Negaprion brevirostris) inhabits nearshore, mangroves, flats. Popul…

Amberjack

Lesser Amberjack

Lesser Amberjack (Seriola fasciata) inhabits deep offshore reefs. Popular techni…

Other

Lingcod

Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) inhabits pacific rocky reefs. Popular technique: bo…

Tuna

Little Tunny

Little Tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus) inhabits nearshore atlantic, gulf. Popular…

Billfish

Longbill Spearfish

Longbill Spearfish (Tetrapturus pfluegeri) inhabits atlantic offshore. Popular t…

Jack

Lookdown

Lookdown (Selene vomer) inhabits nearshore, piers, bridges. Popular technique: l…

Pelagic

Mahi-Mahi

Also called dorado or dolphinfish. Neon blue-and-gold offshore fighter near flot…

Snapper

Mangrove Snapper

Mangrove Snapper (Lutjanus griseus) inhabits mangroves, docks, reefs. Popular te…

Snapper

Mutton Snapper

Mutton Snapper (Lutjanus analis) inhabits coral reefs, grass beds. Popular techn…

Grouper

Nassau Grouper

Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus) inhabits coral reefs, caribbean. Popular t…

Drum

Northern Kingfish

Northern Kingfish (Menticirrhus saxatilis) inhabits surf zone, nearshore. Popula…

Rockfish

Olive Rockfish

Olive Rockfish (Sebastes serranoides) inhabits pacific kelp forests. Popular tec…

Other

Opah

Opah (Lampris guttatus) inhabits deep offshore, open ocean. Popular technique: d…

Tuna

Pacific Bonito

Pacific Bonito (Sarda chiliensis) inhabits pacific nearshore. Popular technique:…

Flatfish

Pacific Halibut

Giant Pacific flatfish. Deep-water species prized for white firm fillets.

Mackerel

Pacific Mackerel

Pacific Mackerel (Scomber japonicus) inhabits pacific nearshore. Popular techniq…

Flats

Permit

Hardest fish on the flats. Spooky, picky, and famous for humbling experienced an…

Flatfish

Petrale Sole

Petrale Sole (Eopsetta jordani) inhabits pacific deep water. Popular technique: …

Surfperch

Pile Perch

Pile Perch (Rhacochilus vacca) inhabits pacific piers, pilings. Popular techniqu…

Cod

Pollock

Pollock (Pollachius virens) inhabits nearshore to offshore. Popular technique: j…

Shark

Porbeagle

Porbeagle (Lamna nasus) inhabits cold offshore atlantic. Popular technique: heav…

Rockfish

Quillback Rockfish

Quillback Rockfish (Sebastes maliger) inhabits pacific rocky reefs. Popular tech…

Drum

Red Drum

Also called redfish. Gulf and Atlantic flats favorite with distinct spot on the …

Grouper

Red Grouper

Red Grouper (Epinephelus morio) inhabits shallow reefs, limestone bottom. Popula…

Grouper

Red Hind

Red Hind (Epinephelus guttatus) inhabits coral reefs, caribbean. Popular techniq…

Reef

Red Snapper

Gulf of Mexico icon. Short regulated seasons and excellent table fare make this …

Flatfish

Rex Sole

Rex Sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus) inhabits deep pacific. Popular technique: bot…

Grouper

Rock Hind

Rock Hind (Epinephelus adscensionis) inhabits shallow coral reefs. Popular techn…

Jack

Roosterfish

Roosterfish (Nematistius pectoralis) inhabits pacific surf, rocky shores. Popula…

Surfperch

Rubberlip Perch

Rubberlip Perch (Rhacochilus toxotes) inhabits pacific rocky shores. Popular tec…

Billfish

Sailfish

Fastest fish in the sea. Electric blue coloration and towering sail fin make thi…

Shark

Sandbar Shark

Sandbar Shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) inhabits nearshore, bays. Popular techniqu…

Grouper

Scamp

Scamp (Mycteroperca phenax) inhabits deep reefs, ledges. Popular technique: bott…

Snapper

Schoolmaster Snapper

Schoolmaster Snapper (Lutjanus apodus) inhabits coral reefs, caribbean. Popular …

Porgy

Scup

Scup (Stenotomus chrysops) inhabits nearshore ne atlantic. Popular technique: bo…

Other

Sheepshead

Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) inhabits jetties, bridges, reefs. Popul…

Shark

Shortfin Mako

Shortfin Mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) inhabits offshore pelagic. Popular technique: …

Snapper

Silk Snapper

Silk Snapper (Lutjanus vivanus) inhabits deep offshore reefs. Popular technique:…

Tuna

Skipjack Tuna

Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) inhabits tropical open ocean. Popular techniq…

Grouper

Snowy Grouper

Snowy Grouper (Epinephelus niveatus) inhabits deep offshore structure. Popular t…

Flatfish

Southern Flounder

Ambush predator that lies flat on the bottom. Gigging and bottom rigs both produ…

Drum

Southern Kingfish

Southern Kingfish (Menticirrhus americanus) inhabits nearshore gulf, surf. Popul…

Mackerel

Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) inhabits nearshore trolling lanes. Po…

Shark

Spinner Shark

Spinner Shark (Carcharhinus brevipinna) inhabits nearshore surf zone. Popular te…

Drum

Spot

Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) inhabits nearshore, bays. Popular technique: bottom …

Drum

Spotted Seatrout

Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) inhabits grass flats, estuaries. Popular …

Flatfish

Starry Flounder

Starry Flounder (Platichthys stellatus) inhabits pacific bays, estuaries. Popula…

Billfish

Striped Marlin

Striped Marlin (Kajikia audax) inhabits pacific and indian ocean offshore. Popul…

Flatfish

Summer Flounder

Summer Flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) inhabits nearshore atlantic, inlets. Pop…

Billfish

Swordfish

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) inhabits deep offshore, night fishing. Popular techn…

Snook

Swordspine Snook

Swordspine Snook (Centropomus ensiferus) inhabits tidal rivers, mangroves. Popul…

Silver King

Tarpon

The silver king. Acrobatic jumps and long fights make tarpon the premier flats g…

Other

Tautog

Tautog (Tautoga onitis) inhabits rocky reefs, wrecks. Popular technique: bottom …

Shark

Thresher Shark

Thresher Shark (Alopias vulpinus) inhabits offshore pelagic. Popular technique: …

Shark

Tiger Shark

Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) inhabits nearshore reefs, offshore. Popular tech…

Other

Tilefish

Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) inhabits deep offshore structure. Popul…

Other

Tripletail

Tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis) inhabits open water, floating objects. Popular…

Rockfish

Vermilion Rockfish

Vermilion Rockfish (Sebastes miniatus) inhabits pacific rocky reefs. Popular tec…

Snapper

Vermilion Snapper

Vermilion Snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens) inhabits deep offshore reefs. Popula…

Pelagic

Wahoo

Speed demon of the offshore. High-speed trolling targets this 50 mph pelagic.

Cod

Walleye Pollock

Walleye Pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) inhabits deep cold pacific, bering sea. Po…

Drum

Weakfish

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) inhabits nearshore atlantic, bays. Popular techniqu…

Drum

White Croaker

White Croaker (Genyonemus lineatus) inhabits pacific nearshore, piers. Popular t…

Reef Fish

White Grunt

White Grunt (Haemulon plumierii) inhabits coral reefs, sandy bottom. Popular tec…

Cod

White Hake

White Hake (Urophycis tenuis) inhabits deep cold atlantic. Popular technique: bo…

Billfish

White Marlin

Smaller Atlantic billfish with rounded fins. Light-tackle trophy of Mid-Atlantic…

Other

White Seabass

White Seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) inhabits pacific kelp beds, offshore. Popul…

Flatfish

Winter Flounder

Winter Flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) inhabits nearshore ne atlantic. …

Other

Wreckfish

Wreckfish (Polyprion americanus) inhabits deep wrecks, rocky ledges. Popular tec…

Grouper

Yellowedge Grouper

Yellowedge Grouper (Epinephelus flavolimbatus) inhabits deep bottom structure. P…

Rockfish

Yelloweye Rockfish

Yelloweye Rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) inhabits deep pacific rocky reefs. Popu…

Drum

Yellowfin Croaker

Yellowfin Croaker (Umbrina roncador) inhabits pacific surf, bays. Popular techni…

Grouper

Yellowfin Grouper

Yellowfin Grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa) inhabits deep caribbean reefs. Popular…

Tuna

Yellowfin Tuna

Warm-water pelagic tuna. Popular for both chunking and trolling, yields ahi sash…

Snapper

Yellowtail Snapper

Yellowtail Snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) inhabits coral reefs. Popular technique: …

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