Florida has a variety of different fish that call their canals home. You might be surprised to find out that many of these fish will eat your bait if you’re willing to drop it in the water.
Florida canal fish are usually caught with crabs, shrimp, or squid on bait hooks. They are often served by restaurants and markets in Florida because they taste good and people like them.
Here’s some information about 5 common types of fish found in Florida canals.
A Quick Overview of Florida Canals
Florida is a place with many different types of fish, and they all live in their own canals. Florida’s canals are full of different types of fish, and they’re often caught with crab, shrimp or squid on bait hooks.
It is possible to find 5 common types of fish in Florida canals.
Some of these fish include:
- The blue crab
- The redfish
- The mullet
- The tarpon
- The snook
Types of fish in florida canals
Different types of fish live in Florida canals. Some of the most common are catfish, largemouth bass, red drum, spotted sea trout, and whitefish.
Catfish are bottom feeders who eat anything they find on the bottom of the water. They like to swim and graze along the ground and will eat worms and other small animals that fall into the canal.
You might also see a largemouth bass, which is known for its long mouth and brownish-red coloration. Red drum is one of the most popular fish in Florida because it’s easy to catch and has a nice flavor. Red drum like to hang out near mangroves or schools of bait fish. Spotted sea trout is often called “King Trout” because it lives at very deep levels where fishermen can’t go with their boats. They’re usually caught with crab or squid as bait on a hook. Whitefish love shrimp and crabs as bait and will bite if you offer them something tasty!
Largemouth & Peacock Bass
These two types of bass are the most popular catches. Peacocks grow to about 12 pounds and can be found in canals with plenty of vegetation. They’re the most sought after fish because they taste delicious when grilled or fried up. Largemouth bass also like vegetation but they grow to around 4 pounds and are often caught on small hooks.
Peacocks are more likely to eat your bait than largemouths, though both will take it if you drop it in the water. The best way to catch these fish is using a topwater lure or a plastic worm off the end of a rod that has been rigged with a bobber and hook. The key is to get your lure near their mouths and then wait for them to bite before re-casting.
Snakehead
The snakehead is an invasive species in Florida. It is considered to be the most common type of fish in the state. The snakehead likes to live in warm water and is often found near shorelines or canals. It has a protruding jaw that it uses when hunting for prey.
This type of fish has teeth that resemble those of a shark. They are capable of moving with ease through murky waters, where they search for food by using their sense of smell.
A snakehead’s diet consists mainly of other fish, frogs, and crustaceans like crayfish and shrimp. Snakeheads typically weigh between one and five pounds, but there have been reports of some weighing about eight pounds.
Bluegill
The bluegill is a type of fish that’s found in many canals in Florida. It is a member of the sunfish family and has a greenish-blue coloring on its back and sides with a white belly. A male bluegill will be smaller than the female. The bluegill is often considered to be one of the more popular types of fish found in Florida because it’s often caught readily.
Bluegills are usually found in shallow, heavily vegetated areas near water sources like streams or wetlands. They take advantage of this habitat by using the vegetation as cover from predators like larger fish or birds. It’s not uncommon for bluegills to feed on small insects, worms, snails, and crustaceans that live nearby.
People who enjoy catching bluegills will typically use bait like worms or shrimp because they’re easy to catch with hooks and lines.
Sunfish
Sunfish are not just found in Florida canals, but they are also caught there. Sunfish are usually bright orange or yellow with black spots. They are very small fish that are difficult to catch because they are fast swimmers. Be sure to catch one by using a smaller hook or bait.
Other Fish in Florida Canals
Many types of fish and other crustaceans call Florida canals home. Here’s a list of five others that you may see:
- Bluefish
- Different types of bass
- Oysters
- Lobsters
- Snapper
Canal Fishing Gear
Fishing for fish in Florida canals will depend on the bait you use. You have to know what type of fish are in the canal so you can properly select your bait. Here are some common types of bait used to catch fish in Florida canals:
- Shrimp Sinkers
- Crab Sinkers
- Squid Sinkers
- Artificial Lures
- Soft Plastic Baits
Conclusion
Fishing is a great way to relax and catch your dinner. But it’s not always easy.
If you’re new to fishing, you might not know all the types of fish found in Florida canals. Here are the most common types of fish you’ll come across.
