Captain's Note:
The 'poor man's tarpon' as the ladyfish is sometimes called, is best described as just plain fun! Very easily caught especially on fly. It's not unusual to hook and fight 3 to 5 ladyfish with one cast as they attack everything moving, especially small flies which fit into their mouth easier than most artificials or bait. The ladyfish is also used as large snook bait on very large tackle!
Description:
The ladyfish has a terminal mouth, slender body and small scales. The last dorsal ray is not elongated. The ladyfish's head is small and pointed.
Similar Fish:
juvenile tarpon, Megalops atlanticus.
Where found:
INSHORE fish, in bays and estuaries; occasionally enters freshwater, occurring in tidal pools and canals; often forms large schools and harasses bait at the surface.
Size:
2 to 3 pounds.
*Florida Record:
4 lbs., 10 ozs.
Remarks:
known to spawn OFFSHORE, ribbon-like larvae very similar to Albula and Megalops, peaking in
fall; adult feeds predominantly on fish and crustaceans; leaps when hooked.
* The Florida records quoted are from the Department of Environmental Protection's printed publication, Fishing Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark. |
Dan Hansen and fellow angler Andrew Brown with ladyfish doubles caught on fly.
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