North Captiva Fishing

On this page you will see references to the most common fish that you will catch in the waters around North Captiva. The information is derived from The Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission. For a more exhaustive list of fish.

[Redfish] [Black Grouper] [Red Grouper] [Crevalle Jack] [Spanish Mackerel] [Sheepshead] [Scalloped Hammerhead] [Red Snapper] [Common Snook] [Ladyfish] [Tarpon]

Red Drum (Redfish)

 

North Captiva Redfish

Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS
Sciaenops ocellatus

Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Il
lustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: chin without barbels; copper bronze body, lighter shade in clear waters; one to many spots at base of tail (rarely no spots); mouth horizontal and openng downward; scales large.

Similar Fish: black drum, Pogonias cromis.

Where found: juveniles are an INSHORE fish, migrating out of the estuaries at about 30 inches (4 years) and joining the spawning population OFFSHORE.

Size: one of 27 inches weighs about 8 pounds.

*Florida Record: 51 lbs., 8 ozs.

Remarks: red drum are an INSHORE species until they attain roughly 30 inches (4 years), then they migrate to join the NEARSHORE population; spawning occurs from August to November in NEARSHORE waters; sudden cold snaps may kill red drum in shallow, INSHORE waters; feeds on crustaceans, fish and mollusks; longevity to 20 years or more.