Fish Identification

LARGEMOUTH BASS upper jaw extends beyond eye spiny & soft dorsal fin separate or nearly so tongue normally smooth, tooth patch rare	WHITE BASS tongue with one tooth patch stripes often faint 2nd anal spine 2/3 or more the length of 3rd anal spine
SMALLMOUTH BASS upper jaw extends to about middle of eye usually has vertical stripes along body 3 short spines on anal fin	HYBRID STRIPED X WHITE BASS back arched body deep stripes distinct & usually broken tongue with two tooth patches 2nd anal spine 2/3 or more the length of 3rd anal spine
SPOTTED BASS upper jaw not past rear of eye spiny & soft dorsal fin clearly connected tooth patch on tongue	STRIPED BASS body slender stripes distinct occassionally broken tongue with two tooth patches 2nd anal spine 1/2 or less the length of 3rd anal spine
CHANNEL CATFISH tail deeply forked body spots usually present on young	FLATHEAD CATFISH head wide & flat body dark in color large mouth; lower jaw extends past upper jaw tail not forked

BLACK CRAPPIE 7-8 dorsal spines body color pattern irregular arranged spots	RAINBOW TROUT small black dots throughout the body that extend into the tail red stripe along side on silvery body
BLUEGILL black spot on soft dorsal fin vertical bars on body	BROWN TROUT black & red-orange spots inside light circles on brown body caudal fin (tail) square
REDEAR SUNFISH (SHELLCRACKER) red edge on operculum ear flap spotted body	BROOK TROUT light, wormlike markings on dark upper body white leading edge on lower fins (pectoral, pelvic & anal)
CHAIN PICKEREL (JACKFISH) elongated body with chain-like markings sharp needle like teeth	WALLEYE no spots on dorsal fin eyes with milky corneas dark area at base of dorsal fin sharp teeth white spot at bottom of tail

Black Sea Bass, Blackfish Description: Georgia's most abundant offshore bottomfish. Black-green to light brown. Average under 1 lb. but may reach 5 lbs. Matures at 8-9" (3 yrs) Season: Year-round, nearshore (inshore of Navy Towers) and offshore. Methods: 2-hook bottom rig baited with almost anything.	Spanish Mackerel Description: Streamlined body, greenish above to silver below with gold spots along the sides. A distinctive black patch on the first dorsal fin and a gently sloping lateral line distinguishes "Spanish" from similarly marked young king mackerel. Average 1-2 lbs, may exceed 7 lbs. Matures at 16-18" (2 yrs.) Season: Form large schools off inlets, outer bars, and jetties during spring and summer. April-November, nearshore and offshore. Methods: Casting or fast trolling with spoons for schooling fish. Slow trolling or live-lining for larger Spanish.
Gag Grouper Description: One of many species of grouper found off Georgia, gag are light brown to olive-gray overall with numerous dark wavy body markings. The tail is concave and plain. Common up to 20 lbs. Mature at 30-43" (6-11 yrs.) Season: May-December, nearshore. Year-round, offshore Methods: Bottom or grouper rig baited with cigar minnows, live fish, cut bait, or squid.	Sheepshead, Convict Fish Description: Deep-bodied. Silver-gray with 5-6 dark vertical bars. Distinctive teeth for crushing barnacles and shells. Average 3-5 lbs, can reach 15 lbs. offshore. Matures at 16" (5 yrs.). Season: Year-round, nearshore and offshore Methods: Sheepshead rig baited with fiddler crabs.
Cobia Description: Chocolate-brown above with white belly. Broad, somewhat flattened head. Often mistaken at first sight for a small shark. Average 30-40 lbs, often much larger. Matures at 24-36" (2-3 yrs.) Season: April-November, nearshore. Year-round, well offshore. Methods: Slow trolling by buoys and over wrecks or casting live eels, shrimp, crabs, and jigs when sighted.	Spotted Seatrout Description: Long slender body, back dark silvery gray with bluish tint, sides silver. Round black spots on back, upper sides, and the second dorsal fin. Average 1-2 lbs ., larger "gator" trout exceed 5 lbs. Mature at 12" (2 yrs.). Season: Found in estuaries throughout year, with peak angling in spring and fall. Methods: Live shrimp under float rig. Artificials (jigs, crankbaits) during colder months. Live-line baitfish for larger trout.
King Mackerel, Kingfish Description: Elongate, greenish-silver with a slate-colored dorsal fin and sharply dropping lateral line. Average 10-20 lbs., often exceed 30 lbs. Season: April-December, nearshore. Year-round, well offshore. Methods: Slow-trolling and live-lining menhaden, cigar minnow, or mullet over wrecks, artificial reefs, and live bottom works best for "smoker" kings. Fast-trolling lures and dead baits (such as ballyhoo) produces more, smaller fish.	Red Drum, Redfish, Spottail Bass, Channel Bass Description: Silvery-gray with a coppery cast on back and upper sides. Cream colored belly. One or more black spots at base of tail. Immature fish 2-15 lbs., while adults can exceed 40 lbs. Mature at 27-30" (4 yrs.). Season: Immature fish found in estuary throughout year. Adults, offshore year-round, occur seasonally in surf. Methods: Shrimp or live fish fished under a float rig. Cut bait on fish-finder rig with circle hooks.