Record Catches for 10 Common Inshore Species Found in Florida

Light Tackle Adventures fishing charters explore state and worldwide records for a variety of species that call Tampa Bay home  

Snagging a fish out on Tampa Bay that gives you a vigorous fight is an experience unlike any other. 

Most fish caught by anglers are generally pretty average in size depending on the species. If they’re small, it’s highly recommended or even mandatory that you throw them back so they can grow and breed.

Sometimes though, there are fish that live for quite a long time without being caught by a fisherman or eaten by a predator. They are either allowed to fully grow or some genetic or environmental anomaly makes them bigger than the average fish.

Catching a vigorous fighting Tarpon or Cobia is exciting enough, but if you’re one of the very few anglers who snag a record-setting fish, you’ll want to be sure the world knows.

We invite you to continue reading for a list of state (Florida) and worldwide records for 10 common inshore species caught on conventional tackle, as well as the process to follow if you believe you caught a record-setting fish on a Tampa fishing charter or anywhere else in Florida. Data for these record-setting catches are maintained by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and the International Gamefish Association.

1.       Redfish – One of the most common and popular gamefish for fishing charters and general anglers, “Reds” as they’re commonly known are generally found in grass flats, mangroves and around oyster beds. Fully grown males average 28-inches while females average 33-inches in length. Most Red Drums average anywhere between 1 and 10 pounds in estuarine waters while ones caught offshore can range between 10 and 30 pounds.

Florida record – 52 pounds, 5 ounces caught near Cocoa, FL in February 1996 by George E. Hogan, Jr.

World record – 94 pounds, 2 ounces caught off North Carolina in November 1984 by David Deuel

2.       Common Snook – The Snook is best known for the exciting fight it provides anglers. They are typically found in grass flats, but in the colder months, they will migrate into canals and other areas to find warmer water. On average, Snook are around 3-feet long and weigh between 3 and 15 pounds. However, it’s fairly common for anglers to snag a Snook weighing between 16 and 30 pounds.

Florida record – 44 pounds, 3 ounces caught near Ft. Myers in April 1984 by Robert De Cosmo

World record – 53 pounds, 10 ounces caught near Parismina Ranch, Costa Rica in October 1978 by Gilbert Ponzi

3.       Spotted Sea Trout – Commonly known as the “spek” or “speckled trout,” the Spotted Sea Trout is generally found in sea grass and around islands in the warmer months, and in residential canals and tributaries in the winter. Speks average anywhere between 1-2 pounds in weight and 18-inches in length. Speks weighing 5-8 pounds are considered large. Spotted Trout this big are known colloquially as “Gator trout.”

Florida record – 17 pounds, 7 ounces caught near Ft. Pierce in May 1995 by Craig F. Carson

World record - Despite other catches of this size, the current Florida record is also the confirmed world record as well.

4.       Tarpon – Although the Tarpon has no food value , its awesome fight, acrobatics and silvery flash when jumping make it one of the most desired gamefish for both charters and general anglers. Tarpon generally live in passes, river mouths, inlets and even shallow flats in many spots, but will move farther south in the winter months. They average between 80 and 120 pounds.

Florida record – 243 pounds caught near Key West in February 1975 by Gus Bell

World record – 286 pounds, 9 ounces caught near Rubane, Guinea (West Africa) in March 2003 by Max Domecq

5.       Sheepshead – Known as the “convict fish” because it’s always stealing bait, the Sheepshead is a popular winter-time gamefish. They typically live in brackish water, in canals, under docks, on the edge of rocky channels and in reefs close to shore. The Sheepshead typically average around 3 to 4 pounds and feed on barnacles and shrimp.

Florida record – 15 pounds, 2 ounces caught near Homosassa in January 1981 by Eugene Lechler

World record – 21 pounds, 4 ounces caught near New Orleans, LA in April 1982 by Wayne Desselle

6.       Cobia – As one of the largest fish in Tampa Bay just behind the Tarpon, the Cobia are most active in the spring and summer months and live around the mouth of Tampa Bay and other estuaries across Florida. They are found throughout the world in warm, tropical waters. Cobia are also similar to Tarpon in that they provide a vigorous fight. Cobias weigh approximately 30 pounds on average.

Florida record – 130 pounds, 1 ounce caught near Destin in March 1997 by Peter McCollester

World record – 135 pounds, 9 ounces caught near Shark Bay, Australia in July 1985 by Peter Goulding

7.       Mangrove Snapper – Also called the “Gray” snapper, these fish are known for moving in large schools during their spawning season in the latter part of the summer. When they’re younger, the Mangrove Snapper will live near, you guessed it, mangroves, but also in tidal creeks and grass flats found in Tampa Bay. When they become adults, the Mangrove Snapper will move to coral reefs just offshore. The Mangrove Snapper generally average between 2 and 6 pounds.

Florida record – 17 pounds caught near Port Canaveral in June 1992 by Steve Maddox

World record – 18 pounds, 10 ounces caught near Cocodrie, Louisiana in July 2015 by Tim Champagne

8.       Flounder – Since many other species move farther south during the winter, the Flounder have Tampa Bay almost all to themselves during this time of year. They’re typically found burrowing in sandy bottoms in bays, estuaries, along beaches and in brackish river mouths. Male Flounders average around 12-inches in length while females can grow to as long as 25-inches. Fully grown Flounders typically average around 2 to 4 pounds.

Florida record – 20 pounds, 9 ounces caught in Nassau Sound in December 1983 by Larenza Mungin

World record – As of this writing (Jan. 2016), the Florida record and world records are the same

9.       Spanish Mackerel – This species is one of the fastest swimming fish, and one of the most common in and around Tampa Bay. Spanish Mackerel can be found around wrecks and other hard bottom areas feeding on a wide variety of baitfish, or they are commonly found in shallow grass beds. These fish commonly range between 1 and 3 pounds, but it’s not unheard of for them to weigh between 5 and 7 pounds.

Florida record – 12 pounds caught near Ft. Pierce in November 1984 by John Colligan

World record – 13 pounds caught near Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina in November 1987 by Robert Cranton

10.   Black Drum – The Black Drum is usually found in flats or at the tributary of a river and is considered to be a “bottom dweller.” They will generally find their food in shallow water around docks and bridges. In the hot summer months, the Black Drum will stay in shady areas during the heat of the day. Black Drum typically weigh between 30 and 50 pounds.

Florida record – 96 pounds caught near Fernandina Beach in April 2001 by James Cartwright

World record – 133 pounds, 1 ounce caught near Lewes, Delaware in Sept. 1975 by Gerald Townsend

(NOTE – All of these records are for conventional tackle. Separate records are maintained for fish caught on fly rods/rigs.)

As you can tell by the dates of when these fish were caught, snagging a record Redfish, Snook or other common gamefish is rare. Many experienced anglers and Tampa fishing charters will go their entire life without ever coming close to breaking a record.

However, if you think you have caught a record-setting gamefish of any kind, you will need to submit an application to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and notify the International Gamefish Association based in Ft. Lauderdale.

Just because catching a record-breaking fish is an unlikely event for all types of anglers doesn’t mean you can’t get out for a good day of fishing. As they say, “…a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work.”

Experienced charters are available around Tampa Bay to take you fishing on one of the most diverse estuaries in the entire U.S. To learn more or to schedule a trip, visit LightTackleAdventures.com for more information about our Tampa inshore fishing charters today.