The accompanying map is designed to help veiwers find out what fish are hitting where. 1 Spanish mackerel are plentiful in the inshore Gulf of Mexico. 2 Pompano and whiting are hitting in the surf. 3 Sheepshead continue to please at the Placida trestle. 4 Spotted seatrout and redfish are being caught in Bull and Turtle bays. 5 Redfish are being caught at El Jobean. 6 Snook are hitting live shrimp at night around docks and bridges in the Port Charlotte canal system. 7 Silver trout are cooperating around the Interstate-75 bridges. 8 Black drum and whiting are hitting around the 41 bridges

TARPON - Megalops atlanticus Family Elopidae, TARPONS Description: last ray of dorsal fin extended into long filament; one dorsal fin; back dark blue to green or greenish black, shading into bright silver on the sides; may be brownish gold in estuarine waters; huge scales; mouth large and points upward. Similar species: (as juveniles) ladyfish, Elops saurus. Where found: primarily INSHORE fish, although adult fish spawn OFFSHORE where the ribbon-like larval stage of the fish can be found. Size: most angler catches 40 to 150 pounds. Florida record: 243 lbs.

Snook SNOOK - Centropomus undecimalis Family Centropomidae, SNOOKS Description: distinct black lateral line; high, divided dorsal fin; sloping forehead; large mouth, protruding lower jaw; grows much larger than other snooks; pelvic fin yellow. Similar fish: other Centropomus. Where found: from central Florida south, usually INSHORE in coastal and brackish waters, along mangrove shorelines, seawalls, and bridges; also on reefs and pilings. Size: most catches 5 to 8 pounds. Florida record: 44 lbs., 3 ozs

Redfish (Red Drum) 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.

Sea Trout   Cynoscion nebulosus FamilySciaenidae, DRUMS Description: dark gray or green above, with sky-blue tinges shading to silvery and white below; numerous distinct round black spots on back, extending to the dorsal fins and tail; no barbels; no scales on the soft dorsal fin; one or two prominent canine teeth usually present at tip of upper jaw. Similar fish: other seatrout. Where found: INSHORE and/or NEARSHORE over grass, sand, and sandy mud bottoms; move into slow-moving or still, deep waters in cold weather. Size: common to 4 pounds on west coast, larger on east coast. Remarks: matures during first or second year and spawns INSHORE from March through November, often in association with seagrass beds; lives mainly in estuaries and moves only short distances; adults feed mainly on shrimp and small fish; prefers water temperatures between 58 and 81 degrees F, may be killed if trapped in shallow water during cold weather; longevity 8 to 10 years. Florida record: 15 lbs., 6 ozs.

Cobia Description: long, slim fish with broad depressed head; lower jaw projects past upper jaw; dark lateral stripe extends through eye to tail; first dorsal fin comprised of 7 to 9 free spines; when young, has conspicuous alternating black and white horizontal stripes. Similar Fish: remora, Echeneis naucrates. Where found: both INSHORE and NEARSHORE inhabiting inlets, bays, and among mangroves; frequently seen around bouys, pilings, and wrecks. Size: common to 30 pounds. *Florida Record: 103 lbs., 12 ozs. Remarks: spawns in spring and early summer; feeds on crabs, squid, and small fish   .

Spanish Mackerel Description: color of back green, shading to silver on sides, golden yellow irregular spots above and below lateral line; front of dorsal fin black; lateral line curves gently to base of tail. Similar Fish: cero, S. regalis; king mackerel, S. cavalla. Where found: INSHORE, NEARSHORE and OFFSHORE, especially over grass beds and reefs; absent from north Florida waters in winter.   Size: average catch less than 2 pounds (20 inches). Florida Record: 12 lbs. Remarks: schooling fish that migrates northward in spring, returning to southerly waters when water temperature drops below 70 degrees F; spawns OFFSHORE, spring through summer; feeds on small fish and squid.