Atlantic CroakerMicropogonias undulatus

Peak Season:Summer through FallHabitat:Bays and estuarine systems

Average Size:under 1 lb.Characteristics:Light silvery to brassy yellow with

short irregular brown streaks on sides.

Gray TriggerfishBalistes capriscus

Peak Season:Year-roundHabitat:Offshore structures,

including oil rigs andartificial reefs

Average Size:1 lb.Characteristics:Body grayish with irregular

dark markings.

Gray SnapperLujanus griseus

Peak Season:Summer through FallHabitat:Juveniles inhabit inshore

structures, while adults inhabitoffshore structures, including oil rigs and artificial reefs

Average Size:2 lbs.Characteristics:Dark red or maroon. Commonly

has dark stripe through eye.

Atlantic SpadefishChaetodipterus faber

Peak Season:Year-roundHabitat:Offshore oil rigs and

other hard structuresAverage Size:2 lbs.

Characteristics:Deep bodied withgrayish silver backgroundand numerous darkvertical bars.

Florida PompanoTrachinotus carolinus

Peak Season:SummerHabitat:Surf zone of barrier islands and beaches

Average Size:1 lb.Characteristics:Bluish silver on back with silver sides

and yellow underside. Body flattenedwith rounded snout.

Tripletail (Blackfish)Lobotes surinamensis

Peak Season:SummerHabitat:Flotsam in open waters; Channel markers

and buoys inshoreAverage Size:8 lbs.

Characteristics:Yellow to coppery brown; often blotchedwith anal, dorsal and tailfin close to samelength.Remarks: These shade-loving fish arecommonly found along the manynavigational aids along the IntracoastalWaterway during the summer months. Abig tripletail is a formidable foe that can puta strain on both light tackle and nerves.

Sand Seatrout (White Trout)Cynoscion arenarius

Peak Season:SummerHabitat:Bays, estuaries and inshore artificial

reefsAverage Size:under 1 lb.

Characteristics:Generally pale, yellowish brown onback with silvery underside.

Little Tunny (Bonita)Euthynnus alletteratus

Peak Season:NoneHabitat:Offshore waters

Average Size:5 lbs.Characteristics:4-5 dark spots below pectoral

fin. Wavy black lines on dorsalsurface.

King Mackerel (Kingfish)Scomberomorus cavalla

Peak Season:Spring through FallHabitat:Oil rigs, offshore wrecks and shoal waters

Average Size:15 lbs.Characteristics:Sides silvery with greenish on back, lateral

line drops rapidly after second dorsal fin.Juveniles resemble Spanish Mackerel.

SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus

Peak Season: Fall through SpringHabitat:Man-made and natural structures

Average Size:2 lbs.Characteristics: 6-7 black vertical bars on side, noticeable “sheep-like” teeth.

Remarks: Consummate bait-stealers, sheepshead are mosteasily caught using sharp hooks and a lightning fast hookset.Contrary to its name and appearance, the sheepshead with itsfirm, white flesh is actually superb table fare.

Red SnapperLutjanus campechanus

Peak Season:Spring through FallHabitat:Offshore structures, including oil rigs

and artificial reefsAverage Size:4 lbs.

Characteristics:Pinkish red with white underside, rediris, anal fin pointed.Remarks: Charcoal-broiled, grilled,fried or blackened, red snapper is oneof the tastiest of all fishes common tothe Mississippi Gulf Coast.Fortunately, this species is also one ofthe most abundant inhabitants ofoffshore fishing reefs.

Crevalle JackCaranx hippos

Peak Season:SummerHabitat:Bays through offshore waters, often found near anchored

shrimp boatsAverage Size:15 lbs.

Characteristics:Yellowish green, deep bodied, with spot on edge of gill cover. Remarks: One of the most powerful of all the fishcommon to nearshore waters, the jack crevalle is achallenge on light tackle. This fast-moving species isattracted to fast-moving, shiny baits; and a silver spoon isone of the most effective lures for catching a jack.

Spotted Seatrout (Speckled Trout, Speck) Cynoscion nebulosus

Peak Season:SpringHabitat:Bays and estuaries

Average Size:1 lb.Characteristics:Bluish gray on back with silvery white underside. Many black spots

on upper side.Remarks: This species has earned its popularity among nearshoresportfishermen by its eagerness to strike a live shrimp or artificialbait with equal abandon. Silver spoons, soft plastic jigs and hardplastic plugs are all effective in taking trout along the MississippiGulf Coast. The early morning and late afternoon hours on strongtides provide the best fishing conditions.

Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi, Dorado)Coryphaena hippurus

Peak Season:Summer through FallHabitat:Offshore waters, frequently found

around floating debris or sargassumAverage Size:2 lbs.

Characteristics:Color varies from blue, yellow andgreen. Body laterally compressed.Remarks: This fish is not to beconfused with the bottlenose dolphin,which is a marine mammal.

Saltwater Fish Common to MississippiSaltwater Fish Common to Mississippi

Red Drum (Redfish, Channel Bass)Sciaenops ocellatus

Peak Season:Spring and FallHabitat:Bays, estuaries and island passes

Average Size:5 lbs.Characteristics:Coppery brown or reddish. Large spots common at base of tail.

Remarks: Red drum have become one of the glamour species ofnearshore waters as they are superb fighters when hooked on lighttackle. Reds up to 30 pounds and more are caught each year in thefall months when spawning schools of these fish first move into thewestern Sound. Gold spoons are a favorite among fishermen forsight-casting and trolling for reds.

Cobia (Lemonfish, Ling)Rachycentron canadum

Peak Season:Spring through FallHabitat:Coastal bays, sandbars

and offshore structuresAverage Size:20 lbs.

Characteristics:Dark brown on top towhite on bottom. Headflattened.Remarks: These bonafide heavyweights canweigh upwards of 100pounds and call for somestout tackle.

Hardhead CatfishArius felis

Peak Season:Year-roundHabitat:All coastal waters

Average Size:1 lb.Characteristics:Grayish with flattened head and six whiskers.

Remarks: Anglers need to take care when handling thesefish as an encounter with a hardhead’s dorsal and pectoralspines can leave a nasty, painful wound.

Southern Kingfish (Ground Mullet)Menticirrhus americanus

Peak Season:SummerHabitat:Bay systems and estuaries

Average Size:under 1 lb.Characteristics:Silvery gray to coppery with irregular

blotches on sides. Single barbel under chin.

BluefishPomotomus saltatrix

Peak Season:SummerHabitat:Bays, Sound and offshore waters

Average Size:3 lbs.Characteristics:Greenish blue on top, silvery below. Pronounced teeth.

BonnetheadSphyrna tiburo

Peak Season:SummerHabitat:Bays, estuaries and artificial reefs

Average Size:10 lbs.Characteristics:Head spade-shaped.

Scalloped HammerheadSphyrna lewini

Peak Season:Spring through FallHabitat:Open waters, bays, estuaries and

island passesAverage Size:100 lbs.

Characteristics:Head flattened and expanded withmiddle indentation.

Greater AmberjackSeriola dumerili

Peak Season:SummerHabitat:Offshore structures, including oil rigs and

artificial reefsAverage Size:15 lbs.

Characteristics:Darker on back, whitish underside withbroad yellow strip along mid-side. Darkstripe through the eye.

TarponMegalops atlanticus

Peak Season:SummerHabitat:Sound through offshore waters

Average Size:75 lbs.Characteristics:Silvery with dark greenish back. Last ray

of dorsal fin elongated. Very largeupturned mouth.Remarks: Where once these magnificentfish were exceedingly rare in sportfishingcatches, the silver ghost seems to bemaking a comeback along theMississippi Gulf Coast. Drift fishing alive mullet is one popular way to hookup with one of these challenging fish,but catching one on the fly is moreexciting.

Gafftopsail CatfishBagre marinus

Peak Season:Spring through FallHabitat:Bays and shallow Gulf waters

Average Size:2 lbs.Characteristics:Bluish gray with very long fin rays and four whiskers.

Black DrumPogonias cromis

Peak Season:FallHabitat:Bays and estuarine systems

Average Size:5 lbs.Characteristics:4-5 dark vertical bars over silvery

background. Numerous barbels on chin.Remarks: These big fish love oysters andcan frequently be found feeding whereverthe mollusks are known to occur.

PinfishLagodon rhomboides

Peak Season:Year-roundHabitat:Man-made and natural

structuresAverage Size:under 1 lb.

Characteristics:Bluish silver with manynarrow bronze stripes,dark shoulder spot.

GagMycteroperca microlepis

Peak Season:Fall through WinterHabitat:Offshore structures, including oil rigs and

artificial reefsAverage Size:5 lbs.

Characteristics:Pale to dark gray with worm-like marks.Color may deepen to dark brown after removalfrom water.

Ladyfish (Ten-Pounder)Elops saurus

Peak Season:Spring through SummerHabitat:Coastal waters

Average Size:1 lb.Characteristics:Long, slender, silvery body.

Remarks: Though not considerededible, the ladyfish has saved many afishing trip with its aerobatics andeagerness to strike an artificial bait.

Striped Mullet (Popeye Mullet)Mugil cephalus

Peak Season:FallHabitat:All coastal waters

Average Size:under 1 lb.Characteristics:Dark on back, silvery sides are

striped.Remarks: Known as BiloxiBacon, mullet are a stapleamong locals who catch them incast nets all along the Coast.Excellent table fare when freshlycaught, mullet are readilyavailable throughout the year.

Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma

Peak Season:Spring through FallHabitat:Silty bottoms of bays and estuaries

Average Size:1 lb.Characteristics:Flat fish. Brown, often with numerous

spots.Remarks: Probably as many folkscatch flounder using a lantern and gigas do those who fish hook and line forthem. Either way, this flatfish is aculinary delight that’s often servedstuffed with crabmeat dressing.

Bull SharkCarcharhinus leucas

Peak Season:SummerHabitat:Coastal waters, may

enter freshwaterAverage Size:20 lbs.

Characteristics:Heavy-bodied, snoutshort, very broad.Remarks: Implicatedin many shark attacks,this aggressive coastalpredator oftentimestakes top honors infishing rodeos andtournaments in theunclassified sharkcategory.

Blacktip SharkCarcharhinus limbatus

Peak Season:SummerHabitat:Bays, estuaries and coastal waters

Average Size:20 lbs.Characteristics:Gray with fins tipped in black, except anal fin.

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (Sand Shark)Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Peak Season:Spring through Fall Habitat:Bays, estuaries and nearshore

artificial reefsAverage Size:8 lbs.

Characteristics:Grayish top to white underneathwith small white spots on sides.Origin of second dorsal fin over midpoint of anal fin.

WahooAcanthocybium solanderi

Peak Season:SummerHabitat:Offshore pelagic waters

Average Size:30 lbs.Characteristics:Body long and slender,

boldly barred. Jawselongated.

Spanish MackerelScomberomorus maculatus

Peak Season:Summer through FallHabitat:Surf zones through offshore

watersAverage Size:2 lbs.

Characteristics:Silvery with distinct yellowspots. Front portion of dorsalfin black. Lateral line slopesevenly downward.Remarks: Spanish Mackerelsprovide dependable fishingaction in the barrier islandsurf and in the passes fromearly spring on into summerwhen they will move into thewaters of the Sound. Fishing a silver spoon with a fast-paced retrieve is almostcertain to get a hookup withany hungry mackerel. Thisfish’s sharp teeth make steelleaders a necessity.

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources • 1141 Bayview Ave. • Biloxi, Mississippi 39530 • (228) 374-5000 • www.dmr.ms.govMississippi Department of Marine Resources • 1141 Bayview Ave. • Biloxi, Mississippi 39530 • (228) 374-5000 • www.dmr.ms.govThis poster was printed through a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration Program.

Your purchase of a fishing license, equipment and motor boat fuels supports Sport Fish Restoration funded programs in Mississippi.This poster was printed through a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration Program.

Your purchase of a fishing license, equipment and motor boat fuels supports Sport Fish Restoration funded programs in Mississippi.This public document is not for sale, and all rights are reserved to the DMR. Illustrations by Marty Wilson©This public document is not for sale, and all rights are reserved to the DMR. Illustrations by Marty Wilson©

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