Types of fish that can be caught off Captiva Island

Types of fish that can be caught If you’re after something to bring home, amberjack will test just about any angler’s mettle. They are greatly fried, baked, or grilled.

If you’re heading to beautiful Captiva Island in Florida to take a break from the world, prepare for a fishing paradise. The types of fish that can be caught range from tackle-busting pelagics to light tackle delights that are perfect for the grill.

OFFSHORE

If you’re after the biggest of the big that means shark and the Goliath grouper. Federal and Florida fishing laws do allow you to keep some sharks, but the giant groupers must be released. If you’re after something to bring home, amberjack and a variety of grouper and snapper will run deep, run hard and will test just about any angler’s mettle. They are great fried, baked or grilled. When the tuna are running, get ready to hear the drag on the reel scream as these cheetahs of the ocean strip your line.

Mackerel and wahoo provide exciting near-surface fights. Word of warning, once you tie into a wahoo, you’ll understand why it’s called “wahoo” in English and “ono” in Hawaiian. You’ll yell “WAHOO!” when one hits and “Oh No!” when you see what it does to an expensive fishing lure.

NEARSHORE

Just out of sight of land, “the hill” as commercial fishermen call it, you can still find mackerel, grouper, shark, mahi-mahi, triggerfish, grunts, black sea bass and others. While triggerfish are among the best eating fish, there’s a trick to cleaning one of these for the table. If you’re on a charter, the mate can show you how to do it. If you’re heading out on your own, ask how to fillet one when you get to the docks.

INSHORE

Want to tie into a Silver King? Tarpon are one of the most fighting fish around and we’ve got plenty of them. Whether you take after them with a fly, lure or live bait, you won’t be disappointed with their acrobat performance and drag-killing runs. Sharks continue to abound as do mackerel, cobia, Tripletail, snook, redfish and trout.

BEACH

Want some tasty fillets to fry up? Whiting run close to the beach and can be caught with surfcasting rods. Pompano can also be found cruising close to shore as can reds and trout. Shark continues to be possible from the beach. You might even hook up with a tarpon. Good luck landing one while you’re on “the hill.”

A fishing paradise is waiting for you. If you need more information, including recipes and how to get a triggerfish ready for cooking, contact us.