Saltwater Fish Species Guide Articles

Bigeye Tuna

The Bigeye Tuna, scientifically known as Thunnus Obesus, is a well known and extremely desired big game fish. They live throughout the tropics, and can be found almost anywhere the water is warm. They have been known to make migrations of extreme lengths in distance, will travel throughout the Atlantic, Pacific and the Indian Oceans.

Atlantic Spanish Mackerel

The Atlantic Spanish Mackerel, more commonly known simply as the Spanish Mackerel, lives primarily in the western Atlantic Ocean. It can be found in large areas of water, including oceanic areas from Massachusetts all the way down to warm tropical waters near the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Spanish Mackerel are migratory fish, moving from place to place at all times. This means that this species of fish maintains a seasonal structure. Everything from where it breeds, where it searches for food, where it needs to be for warmth, and where the best chances for survival are, all effects its migrational movement. It can be found migrating during spring around the Gulf of Mexico, and later in the fall, it returns to the warm waters around Florida.

Atlantic Salmon

The Atlantic Salmon (Salmo Salar), also known as Kennebec Salmon, Sebago Salmon, or Black Salmon, is one of the most widely known species of fish. It is mainly found in the Northern Atlantic, and ranges from southern Greenland to Iceland, and from the Connecticut River to Quebec. The Atlantic Salmon can also be found ranging from the Arctic Circle to parts of Portugal. There are some populations that are considered to be strictly freshwater fish, but most migrate from the sea to freshwater for spawning purposes, and can spawn multiple times before they die.

Weakfish

Weakfish, also known as a Gray Trout, are indigenous to eastern North America. They lurk in the depths of the choppy coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean. These fish range from the edge of Florida north to Massachusetts. There are records, however, of them migrating as far as Nova Scotia. In the winter, weakfish are usually found along the eastern coast of North America between North Carolina to Florida, while in the summer they stay along the shoreline between Delaware and New York. They move seasonally based on the temperature of the water and the availability of food.

King Mackerel

King Mackerel, or Scomberomorus Cavalla, are a popular sport and commercial fish. They share a long tapered body associated with all mackerels. They are dark gray on top with white underbellies. In the first stages of their lives, King Mackerel look similar to their cousins the Spanish mackerel. They have similar spotted markings, but kingfish lose the spots as they mature. Adult mackerel differ in the number of spines they have in their first dorsal fin, with King Mackerels having less than the Spanish.

Black Sea Bass

Black Sea Bass, also known as Rock Bass, can be found in the western waters of the Northern Atlantic Ocean. They range along the eastern coast of North America, from Massachusetts south to the Gulf of Mexico. Though they span along a wide area, most black sea bass are found between New York and South Carolina. They usually stay in shoreline waters, but they have been found in waters over 400 feet in depth.

Hickory Shad

Hickory Shad, or Alosa Mediocre, are known for packing a big fight in their small bodies. They aren’t much of a commercial fish, and people do desire them for food. But, it’s because of the fight that the Hickory Shad has quickly become a highly desired recreational fish. This desire has only happened in recent years, but it was enough to get the fish into sport fishing magazines across the nation.

Tarpon

Tarpon, scientifically known as Megalops Atlantics, are nicknamed “The Silver King”. Tarpon prefer warmer waters, and can be found mostly in the tropical areas of the Atlantic Ocean, although some migrate inland and live in fresh or brackish water. They have been seen as far north as Nova Scotia and as far south as Brazil.

Summer Flounder

Summer Flounder, also known as a Fluke, are known for having a large mouth that extends past the eyes. The scientific name is Paralichthys dentatus, and they are members of the flatfish family. This means that both eyes are located on one side of the body. They lay on the ocean floor, keeping both eyes up to avoid predation, as well as hunt. These fish have the ability to change skin color and blend into the ocean floor, hiding their whereabouts from unsuspecting prey. As a small fish passes over their motionless bodies, the Summer Flounder can ambush its prey.

Pacific Cod

The Pacific Cod (Gadus Macrocephalus), also known by fishermen as the gray cod, is known to live along the Western coastlines of North America. The fish are known to travel as far north as Alaska and as far south as Santa Monica in California. They can be found from the Bering Strait all the way to the Yellow Sea, and have been seen as far east as Asia. However, this species of fish is mostly found between Oregon and Alaska despite its expansive range.