South
Florida Tripletail Fishing
Description:
The tripletail is a flat fish, best
distinguished by the unusual arrangement of the back fins. The soft
parts of the dorsal and anal fins are so snug with the caudal, that
on the first look they appear as a single, three lobed fin.
Also, the flat bone forming the front part of the gill cover, the opercle, has a strongly serrated back edge, very evident as it
coursed down across the mid region of the gill cover. The eye is
very near the front of the jaw, resulting in a tiny snout region,
making the entire head area appear small, and the head profile
slightly concave.
Where found:
The
tripletail is a slothful, sluggish animal, much preferring to drift
with the currents to take it where they will than to set course and
go to it. They're especially content with this existence if they are
in the company of some floating debris or vegetation. They drift
along, assuming various postures, favoring one where their side is to
the surface and their head arched downward. This prone, camouflaged
position enables them to passively prey on small unsuspecting fish
that may pass near. Sometimes their attraction to floating objects
will cause them to collect around barges or anchored boats, and they
especially like channel and range markers sprinkled throughout the
Intercoastal Waterway.
Size: Common catches 1 to 15 pounds.
Remarks:
Tripletail
will eat a variety of baits including shiners, shrimp, jigs, and
flies.
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