Photo: SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Elops saurus

How to catch Ladyfish

Ladyfish feed in 64–90°F water and bite best at 72–86°F. Fish Scouter's season calendar follows them in 12 waters; in October they are at their peak in Tampa Bay & Sarasota, Charlotte Harbor & the Islands, The Ten Thousand Islands & Everglades and 4 more.

10 pts · trophy at 24"Feeds 64–90°FBest 72–86°FIn season nowPass / inletBeach / surfGrass flatDock / pilingsBridgeChannel edge

About

The poor man's tarpon: a silver, jumping, tackle-slinging fish that shows up in schools wherever bait is and saves a slow day. Not for the table; for the bend in the rod, and cut for bait.

How to fish it

Find the birds and the surface commotion in a pass or along a beach. Small jig, fast retrieve. Bow when they jump.

What it eats

glass minnowssmall jigsspoonslive shrimptopwater at dawn

Live bait for it

Glass minnows (bay anchovies)Thrown by the handful as chum for Spanish, trout and ladyfish, or several on a tiny hook.

Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.