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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.

20 species in this category

Tuna

Albacore Tuna

The white-meat tuna of canned fame. Long pectoral fins distinguish this smaller โ€ฆ

Reef

Black Grouper

Premier reef predator. Bottom bulldog of structure-heavy offshore and nearshore โ€ฆ

Billfish

Black Marlin

Fastest fish in the ocean. Indo-Pacific species known for blistering runs and taโ€ฆ

Billfish

Blue Marlin

Legendary blue-water gamefish. Size, beauty, and aerial acrobatics make this theโ€ฆ

Tuna

Bluefin Tuna

The giant of tunas. North Atlantic migrations produce the biggest fish caught onโ€ฆ

Flats

Bonefish

The ghost of the flats. Famous for blistering runs across shallow Bahamian and Fโ€ฆ

Pelagic

Cobia

Also called ling or lemonfish. Curious nearshore fighter often sight-cast near rโ€ฆ

Inshore

Common Snook

Florida inshore superstar. Wary, structure-loving, and famous for tackle-bustingโ€ฆ

Mackerel

King Mackerel

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

Pelagic

Mahi-Mahi

Also called dorado or dolphinfish. Neon blue-and-gold offshore fighter near flotโ€ฆ

Flatfish

Pacific Halibut

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

Flats

Permit

Hardest fish on the flats. Spooky, picky, and famous for humbling experienced anโ€ฆ

Drum

Red Drum

Also called redfish. Gulf and Atlantic flats favorite with distinct spot on the โ€ฆ

Reef

Red Snapper

Gulf of Mexico icon. Short regulated seasons and excellent table fare make this โ€ฆ

Billfish

Sailfish

Fastest fish in the sea. Electric blue coloration and towering sail fin make thiโ€ฆ

Flatfish

Southern Flounder

Ambush predator that lies flat on the bottom. Gigging and bottom rigs both produโ€ฆ

Silver King

Tarpon

The silver king. Acrobatic jumps and long fights make tarpon the premier flats gโ€ฆ

Pelagic

Wahoo

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

Billfish

White Marlin

Smaller Atlantic billfish with rounded fins. Light-tackle trophy of Mid-Atlanticโ€ฆ

Tuna

Yellowfin Tuna

Warm-water pelagic tuna. Popular for both chunking and trolling, yields ahi sashโ€ฆ

Log your saltwater catches in FishLog

The FishLog app has the full species database plus a personal catch log โ€” species, weight, length, GPS location, and photos. Free for iOS and Android.

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