Description: Deep sea fishing in Venice Florida often results in a battle with an Amberjack. Amberjack have a dark stripe (variably present) extends from nose to in front of dorsal fin and "lights up" when fish is in feeding mode; no scutes; soft dorsal base less than twice the length of the anal fin base. Food Value: Wonderful fresh or smoked.

Where Found: OFFSHORE species associated with rocky reefs, debris, and wrecks, typically in 60 - 240 feet of water; sometimes caught NEARSHORE in south Florida; juveniles associated with floating objects and may occur in water less than 30 feet deep.

Size: Common to 40 pounds.

Florida Amberjack Record: 142 lbs.

Amberjack Fishing Techniques: Casting, Drifting, Still Fishing and Trolling.

Remarks: Amberjack are the largest of the jacks; thought to spawn OFFSHORE throughout most of the year; feeds on squid, fish, and crustaceans.

Description: A Charter Fishing favorite in South Florida. The great barracuda is brownish or bluish gray on the dorsum and upper side, with a greenish cast shading to silvery on the sides and a white belly. The upper side may have 18-23 dark bars most often observable when the fish is resting or over a variegated substrate. The black spots on the lower sides of the great barracuda distinguish it from other species of barracuda. The second dorsal fin, anal, and caudal fins are violet to black with whitish tips.

Food Value: Excellent. Large Barracuda from tropical waters possibly carry the dangerous toxin ciguatera. Advisable to eat only the small ones - up to 5 pounds.

Where found: The entire Gulf of Mexico. Moving South to warmer waters during the winter.

Size: Common 5 - 15 pounds.

Florida Barracuda Record: 67 lbs.

Barracuda Fishing Techniques: Casting, Drifting, Still Fishing and Trolling.

Remarks: Great Barracuda feed on an array of prey including fish such as jacks, grunts, groupers, snappers, small tunas, mullets. Barracudas have a large gape and very sharp teeth, enabling them to feed on large fish by chopping them in half. An opportunistic predator, great barracuda feed throughout the water column. Generally a diurnal fish, great barracuda locate their prey largely by sight. The body plan of the great barracuda is designed for speed and it is estimated that top speed for the species may be as fast as 36 mph (58 kph). To go Charter Fishing call Captain Tom at 941-544-6138. We are located in Venice Florida Just south of Bradenton, FL and Cortez, Fla.

Description: Florida Tuna Fishing off Venice Florida is a fishing trip to be remembered. The Blackfin Tuna has a bluish-black back with gray to silver sides and a white belly. A broad, brown stripe is located along the upper portion of the eye. There is a prominent yellow to golden-colored lateral band present on the sides. Small iridescent areas located on the sides of the abdomen are silvery. This area is sometimes marked with vertical rows of pale dots along with slightly elongate spots between these rows.

Food Value: Excellent. The "filet mignon" of fish. Great for Sushi.

Where Found: Found offshore in warmer water during summer months, on or near the surface usually near offshore reefs, along current lines over reefs and banks.

Size: Common 10 to 30 pounds.

Florida Blackfin Tuna Record: 45 lbs., 8 ozs.

Blackfin Tuna Fishing Techniques: Casting, Drifting, Still Fishing and Trolling.

Remarks: Blackfin Tuna spawning occurs June to September in the Gulf of Mexico. Various fish, squid, shrimp, crabs, constitute the Blackfin Tuna diet. To book a Florida Tuna Fishing trip call Captain Tom Masse at 941-544-6138

Description: Shark Fishing in Florida The blacktip shark is dark gray/blue to brown above, and white below with a distinct white band across the flank. The black tips found on the pectoral fins, first and second dorsals, pelvic fins, and lower caudal lobe are very apparent, though they tend to fade with age. Food Value: Very good.

Where Found: Inshore and throughout the Gulf of Mexico.

Size: Common from 5 - 30 pounds.

Florida Blacktip Shark Record: 152 lbs.

Blacktip Shark Fishing Techniques: Casting, Drifting, Still Fishing.

Remarks: The blacktip shark primarily feeds on small schooling fish such as herring, sardines, menhaden, mullet, and anchovies, but also eats many other bony fish. Blacktip Sharks, are known to breach out of the water while feeding, sometimes spinning up to three or four times. To go Shark Fishing in Florida call Capt. Tom Masse at 941-544-6138.

Description: A Florida Fishing Charter gem. Cobia are a 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. Food Value: Excellent. Very unique taste.

Where found: Inshore and Offshore inhabiting inlets, bays, and among mangroves; frequently seen around bouys, pilings, and wrecks.

Size: Common to 30 pounds.

Florida Cobia Record: 103 lbs., 12 ozs.

Cobia Fishing Techniques: Casting, Drifting, Still Fishing and Trolling.

Remarks: Cobia spawn in spring and early summer; feeds on crabs, squid, and small fish. They can often be seen basking in the sun. Cobia are a very inquisitive fish, they often come right up to the boat where you can toss just about anything to the and hook up. To book a Florida Sea Fishing Trip call Capt. Tom at 941-544-6138

Description: Gulf of Mexico Fishing for Dolphin is a long beautiful day spent deep in the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Dolphin also called Mahi Mahi are bright greenish blue above, yellow on sides, with capability of flashing purple, chartreuse, and a wide range of other colors. The single dark dorsal fin extends from just behind the head to the tail; anal fin margin concave and extending from anus to tail.

Food Value: Out of this world delicious.

Where Found: Offshore in warm waters.

Size: Common to 30 pounds.

Florida Dolphin Record: 77 lbs, 12 ozs.

Dolphin Fishing Techniques: Casting, Drifting and Trolling.

Remarks: Dolphin are one of the fastest-growing fish, thought to live no more than 5 years; swimming speed is estimated at 50 knots; spawns in warm ocean currents throughout much of the year; young found in sargassum weed; feeds on flying fish and squid. Call Captain Tom Masse at 941-544-6138 to reserve a Gulf of Mexico Fishing trip.

Description: Gulf of Mexico bottom fishing for Gag Grouper is a day of fun that won't soon be forgotten. Gag Grouper make for one delicious meal. Gag Grouper are bottom dwellers that are brown and gray in color with dark markings on their sides. They are often confused with black grouper.

Food Value: Very good eats! Excellent firm white flesh with little red.

Where found: Gag Grouper are found throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Offshore over shipwrecks, rocks, reefs and other hard bottom. During the winter months big Gag Grouper move in close to warmer water.

Common Size: To 25 pounds.

Florida Gag Grouper Record: 71 lbs., 3 ozs.

Gag Grouper Fishing Techniques: Bottom Fishing, Trolling, Drifting and Still Fishing.

Remarks: Gag Grouper spawn January through March and feed on fish and squid. Gag Grouper are a very aggressive striker and as they are a bottom fish, after they strike they head straight for the bottom which produces a tough fight. To book a Gulf of Mexico fishing trip and go bottom fishing for Gag Grouper call Captain Tom at 941-544-6138

Description: A Florida saltwater fishing guide will earn his keep during Kingfish season. Kingfish are iridescent bluish green on the back; sides silvery, streamlined body with tapered head; no black pigment on front of dorsal fin; lateral line starts high and drops sharply below the second dorsal fin; young fish often have yellow spots like those of the Spanish mackerel.

Food Value: Good broiled or smoked.

Where Found: Offshore fishing and nearshore, occasionally taken from piers running into deep water.

Size: Common to 20 pounds.

Florida Kingfish Record: 90 lbs.

Kingfish Fishing Techniques: Trolling, Drifting and Still Fishing.

Remarks: Kingfish are a schooling fish that migrates fom south Florida waters in winter to more northerly waters in spring; Gulf population thought to be separate from Atlantic population, with considerable mixing in winter from Cape Canaveral past Key West; spawns in midsummer OFFSHORE; feeds on small fish and squid. To reserve a Florida Saltwater Fishing Guide to fish for King Mackerel call Captain Tom Masse at 941-544-6138

Description: Grouper are a Tampa Bay, Florida deep sea fishing favorite. Red Grouper are brownish red; lining of mouth scarlet-orange; blotches on sides in unorganized pattern; second spine of dorsal fin longer than others; pectoral fins longer than pelvic fins; squared off tail; margin of soft dorsal black with white at midfin; black dots around the eyes.

Food Value: Delicious.

Where Found: Common throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Bottom dwelling fish associated with hard bottom; juveniles OFFSHORE along with adults greater than 6 years old; fish from 1 to 6 years occupy NEARSHORE reefs.

Size: Common to 15 pounds.

Florida Red Grouper Record: 39 lbs., 8 ozs.

Grouper Fishing Techniques: Trolling; Still fishing over wrecks or reefs; Drift Fishing.

Remarks: Red Grouper spawn in April and May; prefering water temperatures between 66 and 77 degrees F; feeds on squid, crustaceans, and fish. To catch your very own Grouper call Captain Tom Masse at 941-544-6138

Description: Back and upper sides olive to bluish with yellow spots; lower sides and belly with alternating narrow, longitudinal pink and yellow stripes; prominent midlateral yellow stripe begins at mouth and runs to tail, broadening as it passes the dorsal fins tail fin is yellow and deeply forked.

Food Value: Delicious when kept fresh.

Where Found: juveniles INSHORE on grassbeds and back reefs; adults NEARSHORE or OFFSHORE over sandy areas near reefs.

Size: Common to 3 pounds.

Florida Yellowtail Snapper Record: 7 lbs. 5 oz.

Yellowtail Snapper Fishing Techniques:Still fishing over wrecks or reefs; Drift Fishing.

Remarks: Found mainly in tropical waters; spawns in midsummer; rarely exceeds 30 inches and 5 pounds in size; feeds on small fish and invertebrates. Let's go snapper fishing call Captain Tom Masse at 941-544-6138 today!

Description: Mangrove Snapper are dark brown or gray with reddish or orange spots in rows along the sides; dark horizontal band from snout through eye (young only); two conspicuous canine teeth at front of upper jaw; dorsal fins have dark or reddish borders; no dark spot on side underneath dorsal fin.

Food Value: Excellent

Where Found: Mangrove Snapper are found throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Generally near shore or offshore on coral or rocky reefs and wrecks.

Size: Offshore catches common 8 to 10 pounds.

Florida Mangrove Snapper Record: 16 lbs., 8 ozs.

Mangrove Snapper Fishing Techniques: Still Fishing, Casting or Drifting.

Remarks: Mangrove Snapper spawn June through August; feeds on crustaceans and small fish. To go FL Deepsea Fishing call Captain Tom Masse at 941-544-6138.

Description: A Florida Offshore Fishing tasty treat, Lane Snapper are silvery-pink to reddish with short, irregular pink and yellow lines on its sides; diffuse black spot, about as large as the eye; the dorsal fin centered above the lateral line; outer margin of caudal fin blackish.

Food Value: Very good.

Where found: Lane Snapper are found throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Juveniles inshore over grass beds or shallow reefs; adults offshore most common in southwest Florida.

Size: usually less than 1 pound.

Florida Lane Snapper Record: 6 lbs., 6 ozs.

Lane Snapper Fishing Techniques: Still Fishing.

Remarks: Lane Snapper spawn March through September feeds on bottom, taking crustaceans, mollusks, and fish. To go Florida Offshore Fishing for snapper call Captain Tom Masse at 941-544-6138.

Description: Gray in color dark or iridescent blue above, shading to silvery sides, in dark waters showing golden tints around breast; small permit have teeth on tongue (none on pompano); no scutes; dorsal fin insertion directly above that of the anal fin; 17 to 21 soft anal rays.

Food Value: Smaller permit are very good. Larger fish should be released.

Where found: Offshore fishing on wrecks and debris, inshore fishing on grass flats, sand flats, and in channels. Most abundant in southwest Florida

Size: Common to 25 pounds.

Florida Permit Record: 56 lbs. 2 oz.

Permit Fishing Techniques:Casting, still fishing.

Remarks: Feeds mainly on bottom-dwelling crabs, shrimp, small clams, and small fish. To go Florida Permit fishing call Captain Tom Masse at 941-544-6138.

Description: A Florida Sport Fishing favorite Little Tunny have wavy lines on their back and spots around the pectoral fin.

Food Value: Very good when lighter meat is seperated from the darker meat.

Where Found: Little Tunny are found throughout the Gulf of Mexico. The waters from Sarasota, FL to Placida, Florida schools in many areas anywhere from nearshore to offshore.

Size: Common from 2 pounds to 15 pounds.

Florida Little Tunny Record: 27 lbs.

Little Tunny Fishing Techniques: Still Fishing, Casting, Trolling or Drifting.

Remarks: Little Tunny are an awesome fighting fish. On light tackle the battle can last up to 40 minutes. When Little Tunny start a feeding frenzy it sounds like the waters of the Gulf of Mexico have started to boil.

Description: Charter Fishing Boats. Flounder have a body color of brown, its shade depending on color of bottom, with numerous spots and blotches; 3 prominent eye-like spots forming a triangle. Strong canine-like teeth. Flounder are usually caught while deep sea fishing for other species.

Food Value: Among the best.

Where found: INSHORE on sandy or mud bottoms, often ranging into tidal creeks; occasionally caught on NEARSHORE rocky reefs.

Size: Common to 2 pounds, generally smaller than southern flounder.

Florida Gulf of Mexico Flounder Record: 20 lbs., 9 ozs.

Flounder Fishing Techniques: Casting, Drifting and Still Fishing.

Remarks: Florida Gulf of Mexico Flounder hatches into usual fish form, but right eye migrates over to left side early in life; a bottom dweller; thought to spawn OFFSHORE; feeds on crustaceans and small fish. Our Charter Fishing Boats are avialable. Call Captain Tom Masse at 941-544-6138.

Description: Fishing Charters. Pompano are greenish gray on back, shading to silvery sides; fish in dark waters showing gold on throat, pelvic, and anal fins; deep flattened body with small mouth; no scutes; 22 to 27 soft dorsal rays; 20 to 23 soft anal rays; origin of anal fin slightly behind origin of second dorsal.

Food Value: None better.

Where Found: Pompano are found inshore and near shore on all of the Gulf of Mexico coasts, especially along sandy beaches, along oyster banks, and over grassbeds. They may be found in water as deep as 130 feet.

Size: Usually less than 3 pounds.

Florida Pompano Record: 8 lbs, 1 oz.

Pompano Fishing Techniques: Still Fishing, Casting or Drifting.

Remarks: Pompano spawn between March and September; feeds on mollusks and crustaceans, especially sand fleas; local movements are influenced by the tide, and seasonal movements are influenced by temperature. To book one of our Fishing Charters call Captain Tom Masse at 941-544-6138.

Description: Tarpon fishing is the best in the world here in Boca Grande Pass. The last ray of the Tarpon's dorsal fin extends 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 estuarien waters; huge scales; mouth large and points upward.

Food Value: None.

Where Found: Primarily an Inshore fish.

Size: Most anglers catch 40 to 50 pounds.

Florida Tarpon Record: 243 lbs.

Tarpon Fishing Techniques: Trolling; Drifting; Casting; Still fishing.

Remarks: Tarpon are slow growers; maturing at 7 to 13 years of age; spawning occurs between May and September; female may lay more than 12 million eggs; can tolerate wide range of salinity; juveniles commonly found in fresh water; can breathe air at surface; feeds mainly on fish and large crustaceans. Call Captain Tom Masse today at 941-544-6138 to go Tarpon Fishing.

Description: Florida Fishing Charters. Spotted Seatrout are 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; black margin on posterior of tail; no barbels; no scales on the soft dorsal fin; one or two prominent canine teeth usually present at tip of upper jaw.

Food Value: Very good.

Where Found: near shore and/or inshore over grass, sand and sandy bottoms.

Size: Common to 4 pounds.

Florida Spotted Seatrout Record: 15 lbs., 6 ozs.

Spotted Seatrout Fishing Techniques: Still fishing; Drifting; Casting.

Remarks: The Spotted Seatrout matures during first or second year and spawns inshore. Adults feed mainly on shrimp and small fish prefers water temperatures between 58 and 81 degrees F. Longevity 8 to 10 years.

Description: Deep Sea Fishing Charters. Redfish have a 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.

Food Value: Redfish up to 10 pounds are good eating.

Where Found: Juveniles are an inshore fish, migrating out of the estuaries at about 30 inches (4 years) and joining the spawning population offshore.

Size: A 27 inch redfish weighs about 8 pounds.

Florida Record: 51 lbs., 8 ozs.

Redfish Fishing Techniques: Still Fishing or Drifting.

Remarks: Redfish or Red Drum are an inshore species until they attain roughly 30 inches (4 years), then they migrate to join the near shore population. Deep Sea Fishing Charters leave daily. For reservations call Captain Tom Masse at 941-544-6138.

Description: Venice Florida Snook fishing is awesome year round. Snook put up a fight that will satisfy any anglers needs. Snook have a distinct lateral line; high, divided dorsal fin; sloping forehead; large mouth, protruding lower jaw; grows much larger than other snook; pelvic fin yellow.

Food Value: Snook are among the best. A favorite of many anglers.

Where found: From central Florida south, usually INSHORE in coastal and brackish waters, along mangrove shorelines, seawalls, and bridges; also on reefs and pilings NEARSHORE.

Size: Most catches 5 to 8 pounds.

Florida Snook Record: 44 lbs., 3 ozs.

Snook Fishing Techniques: Light spinning rod with live bait or artificials under lighted docks at night or drifting the flats during the day.

Remarks: Florida Snook spawn primarily in summer; cannot tolerate water temperatures below 60 degrees F; can tolerate wholly fresh or saltwater; schools along shore and in passes during spawning season. To book a Florida Snook fishing trip or to go offshore fishing call Captain Tom Masse at 941-544-6138.

Description: Charter Boat Fishing trips from Clearwater, FL and Tampa Bay, Florida south are almost always going to produce Spanish Mackerel. Spanish Mackerel have a color of green on the back, 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.

Food Value: Great broiled or skinned and fried. Good smoked too.

Where Found: Entire Gulf of Mexico especially over grass beds and reefs; absent from north Florida waters in winter.

Size: Average catch less than 2 pounds (20-22 inches).

Florida Spanish Mackerel Record: 12 lbs.

Spanish Mackerel Fishing Techniques: Trolling; Still fishing over wrecks or reefs; Drifting.

Remarks: Spanish Mackerel are a schooling fish that migrates northward in spring, returning to southerly waters when water temperature drops below 70 degrees F. They feed on small fish and squid. If you would like to go Charter Boat Fishing call Capt. Tom Masse at 941-544-6138.