Top Inshore Five

It's very difficult to list your top five favorite inshore saltwater fish. As for me, I enjoy catching every fish. Some obviously more than others! If I was forced at gunpoint to pick my top five Florida fish this would be them. At least for today.  I may even have to rewrite this blog in a few hours from now!  But here we go!  

1. Tarpon 

This one is going to be controversial as many anglers want to eat what they can catch. Don't get me wrong there is nothing like eating your catch the same day as you catch it. But.... its a megalops!  Come on people!  The amazing feats of strength, the bow to the king, the epic stories, the pure size!  Nothing gets me excited for fishing like the annual tarpon run!  

2. Snook

The number two/three spot was a challenge for me and if anyone switches these, I completely get it! I may even switch these tomorrow.  Snook are amazing!  They get large and in charge, also delicious, have some attitude, and those lines. 

3. Redfish

The number three spot is a bit tougher for me! I haven't lived any further south than Melbourne, FL, so permit and bonefish are excluded just because of my limited experience. A few reasons redfish are in my number two spot.  They are delicious! They get large! They are amazing for sight fishing! Those tails!  Come on!

4. Sheepshead

This is where things get real contentious! Let's Get Ready to Rumble!!!  For those that really fish, we know that sheepshead is an amazing and underrated tasting fish! Another delicious eating fish, but the scales will dull some knives. When fishing is tough in the winter, there is nothing like anchoring up under a bridge and putting down some fiddlers. Fish on!

5. Flounder

Flounders are extremely cool fish. They would be ranked higher, but they are definitely harder to successfully target for the majority of us. I am still learning how to target them, which has always been slow rolling jigs on the grass and sandy spotted bottom. Truth is I am always learning! Rumor is they hold offshore near Tampa Bay on sandy bottoms for mating. If anyone knows where to find them and needs some help, let me know!

What's your #SHO5 ?

Some things to consider:

• If I had easier local access to permit and bonefish, this would have made my top five much more difficult.
• I classified cobia as an offshore fish, despite they are often caught inshore.
• I love fishing for gator trout, but something had to give! There ferocious topwater bites may move trout up the list sometime soon!