Ladyfish in Florida
Meet the species
Scientific name
Elops saurus
Overview
Inshore fish, found in bays and estuaries; occasionally enter freshwater.
Typical size
36 inches (2 to 3 pounds) inshore fish, found in bays and estuaries; occasionally enter freshwater. Spawn offshore, peaking in the fall
At a glance
- Peak months
- June–august
- Regions
- Panhandle, tampa bay, northeast, southwest, central east
- Water
- Saltwater
- Bait
- Shrimp & small cut bait
Florida fishing record
- Weight
- 8 lb 4 oz
- Location
- Jupiter
- Date
- Oct 16, 2018
- Angler
- Allen escuage
- Type
- Florida state record
Record catch notes
8.25 lb; by allen escuage; on 10/16/2018; at jupiter
When to fish
Peak months
June–august
Good months
June–december
Season notes
Best-time months from FWC Where-to-Fish: peak from seasonal WTF bullets (n sea 8, n yr 0, thresh> 4). Peak jun, jul, aug good jun, aug, sep, oct, nov & dec.
Where to fish
Florida regions
Panhandle, tampa bay, northeast, southwest & central east
Water
Saltwater
Habitat
Inshore fish, found in bays and estuaries; occasionally enter freshwater.
How to catch
Same water as pompano & aggressive on small shiny lures
Bait
Shrimp & small cut bait
Lures
Small jigs and spoons
Videos
- What happens when using chunked ladyfish for bait at the beach? · Open original
- Using cut ladyfish for redfish, snook, trout, & shark bait · Open original
- Can you actually EAT ladyfish? The truth will shock you! *catch clean COOK* · Open original
- How to catch ladyfish with bare hooks. Chew on this · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
Sources
- Myfwc.com (2 pages)
- Catchafloridamemory.com
- Floridasportsman.com (2 pages)
Fishing videos from local voices
Information comes from the supplied source datasets. Check linked FWC regulations for current rules.