Fishing in Jacksonville, Florida is great and the saltwater fish are amazing. There are several excellent choices when it comes to common saltwater fish you can catch throughout the year in Jacksonville. However, some are more likely to be caught in the winter season. Here's a look at some of the most common saltwater fish you may catch in the winter throughout the waters of Jacksonville.
Snapper
One of the best choices for fishing in Jacksonville in the winter is to go after snapper. This specific species is often found in 60 to 440 feet offshore and provides a fun choice for anglers to reel in. Red snapper is the most common and has bounced back after being devastated by the shrimp trawls. They are known as one of the best food fish in Florida.
Cobia
If you follow the manta rays, you'll likely find plenty of cobia swimming nearby. Many believe cobia season doesn't really start until about March, but cobias are actually best during the months of December and January.
Wahoo
Known as one of the fastest fish in the ocean, wahoo can swim at more than 60 miles per hour. They can be found near a ledge and catching them with live bait or drift fish is popular. They are also known as one of the tastiest fish in the ocean.
Redfish
They hit hard and they are good for eating, too. Redfish are a popular choice throughout the year in the Jacksonville area. This common saltwater fish can be caught in the winter and average about 3 to 10 pounds in size.
During the winter, the water will be clear and larger schools of redfish are found in shallow flats. It's possible to do "sight-fishing" for redfish in the winter with both artificial lures and live bait.
Grouper
While grouper are not as good in the winter as snapper or Cobia, they can still be caught. This is a generic name for many deepwater species that dwell on the bottom of the water. The most commonly caught grouper are red grouper and gag grouper. Usually, they are found in deeper waters, but during the winter, they may be caught in shallow waters.
Blackfin Tuna
Not all tuna is good for fishing in the winter in Jacksonville. However, Blackfin Tuna are some of the best you will find in the area during the winter. They are one of the most common types of tuna caught in the area and they can be caught year-round. However, the cooler months are the best time to fish for blackfin tuna.
In addition to these choices, you may find a few pompanos starting to bite in February. Sea trout also bite year-round and can be caught in the winter months.
Common saltwater fish found throughout the Jacksonville area are plenty of fun to catch. Just because the water cools off doesn't mean the fishing does. In fact, the winter months can be the best time of the year to catch certain fish, especially those on the list above.
