Here in the rich waters off the coast of Louisiana we catch a wide variety of fish species. From the inshore waters and marshes of Shell Beach, Delacroix, Hopedale and New Orleans to the offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana's diversity of fish species is second to none. Here are some of the fish species we commonly catch when fishing with Hook Dat Fishing Charters in Louisiana.
Redfish also known as Red Drum are a dark red color on the back, which fades into white on the belly. The redfish has one or more black dot characteristics near the tail and is somewhat streamlined. Three-year-old red drum typically weigh 6-8 pounds and range from 16” to 24”. The largest red drum on record weighed just over 94 pounds and was caught in 1984. Redfish make a knocking or drumming sound during spawning by vibrating their swim bladders.
Edibility is considered excellent. The best eating size is between 16”-24”. Once Redfish get above 27” the edibility becomes average. Redfish do not breed until they reach at least 10 years of age or a minimum of 27” in length.
The Speckled Trout, also known as spotted seatrout, is a common estuarine fish found in the southern coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and the coastal Atlantic Ocean from Maryland to Florida. While most of these fish are caught on shallow, grassy flats, speckled trout reside in virtually any inshore waters, from the surf of outside islands to far up coastal rivers, where they often come for shelter during cold weather.
Contrary to its name, the speckled trout is not a member of the trout family, but of the drum family. Due to its size, shape and feeding habits it is referred to as a trout.
Edibility is considered excellent.
The Black Drum, also known as the drum or drummer, is a saltwater fish similar to its cousin, the red drum. It is in the Pogonias family. Most specimens are generally found in the 5-30 pound range. The black drum is well known as the largest of all the drum family with some specimens reaching in excesses of 90 pounds. The world record black drum was just over 113 pounds.
Their teeth are rounded and they have powerful jaws capable of crushing oysters and other shellfish. It is recommended those over 15 pounds should be released.
Edibility is considered very good between 16"-24". Once black drum reach over 25" edibility becomes average.
Tripletail is a warm-water marine fish found across the tropics. It can grow to 36” in length and weigh up to 41 pounds. It is also known by fishermen by names like flasher or blackfish. They can commonly be found floating on their sides, often beside flotsam, buoys and appear like a dry leaf.
The Atlantic Tripletail is the only fish in the family Lobotidae that can be found in the Atlantic Ocean.
Edibility is considered excellent.
The Sheepshead have a distinct silver body with vertical black bars. They have unique teeth that resemble a human's or sheep. With large incisor-like teeth in the front of their mouth and large molars in the rear of their mouth, they feed on oysters, clams, crabs and other crustaceans. Average size is 2 to 6 pounds. Sheepshead are often confused with small black drum.
Edibility is considered very good. Catch, Clean, Cook Sheepshead.
The Southern Flounder is part of the large-tooth flounders native to the eastern and gulf coasts of the United States. It is a popular sports fish and is the largest and most commercially valuable flounder in the western North Atlantic Ocean. Also known as the "left-eyed flounder", meaning the left side is pigmented and is the "upside".
The up side of the body is brown with spots and blotches covering its body. The underbelly side is white. This species typically grows to around 12-14 inches in length. They have no eyespots. Both eyes are on the top side of the fish. Have strong jaws with teeth for gripping prey. Average size is 1 to 5 pounds but can reach up to 20 pounds.
Edibility is excellent.
Red Snapper inhabit tropical and subtropical regions of all oceans including the Gulf of Mexico, where it inhabits environments associated with oil rigs . This species is
They are rather large and are red in color. This snapper reaches maturity at a length of about 39 cm (15 in). The common adult length is 60 cm (24 in), but may reach 100 cm (39 in). The maximum published weight is 50 lbs, 4 oz (22.79 kg)and the oldest reported age is 100+ years.
The mangrove snapper or gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) is a species of snapper native to the western Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean Sea. The species can be found in a wide variety of habitats, including brackish and fresh waters. It is commercially important and is sought as a game fish. It can also be found in the aquarium trade.
Its color is typically greyish red, but it can change color from bright red to copper red. It has a dark stripe running across its eye if observed from the top when it is under water.
is one of the best known of the large group of perciform fish called groupers. Other common names include black rockfish, bonaeci arara, and marbled rockfish. Other fish are sometimes called the black grouper including the similar gag grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis), the (Epinephelus mystacinus), and the critically endangered Warsaw grouper (Epinephelus nigritus)
The black grouper is a large marine fish, growing up to 150 cm (5 ft) in length and 100 kg (220 lbs) in weight. It has an olive or gray body, with black blotches and brassy spots. The preoperculum is gently rounded.
The mahi-mahi or common dolphinfish is a surface-dwelling ray-finned fish found in off-shore temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters worldwide. Also widely called dorado (not to be confused with Salminus brasiliensis, a fresh water fish) and dolphin, it is one of two members of the family Coryphaenidae, the other being the pompano dolphinfish. These fish are most commonly found in the waters around the Gulf of Mexico, Costa Rica, and Hawaii.
Mahi-mahi have compressed bodies and a single long-based dorsal fin extending from the head almost to the tail. Mature males have prominent foreheads protruding well above the body proper. Females have a rounded head.
Edibility is excellent, and they are considered a very sustainable fishery. Catch, Clean, Cook Mahi Mahi.
iis a ray-finned euryhaline fish related to the bowfin.
Alligator gar are the largest species in the gar family, and among the largest freshwater and brackish water fishes found in North America. Mature alligator gar commonly measure 6 ft (1.8 m) in length, and weigh over 100 lbs (45 kg).
We put trust in our high-end equipment everyday to ensure an enjoyable and successful trip. It is our top priority to invest in and maintain the best equipment available.
