What kind of fish is this

[Ascholten]

Was fishing today and decided to swing the detector a bit while the pole was hangin in the water since it's a picnic ish area as well.

I pulled up this little feller here and am not sure exactly what it is.

Jacksonville Florida is the location, caught in the ocean. (saltwater for those educated in government schools). (atlantic ocean for those educated in florida), (that really BIG amount of water if you drive right.. for those educated in duval schools)... anyways..

Asked a few folks and nobody knows what it is, I let him go since I didnt know what he was and didn't want to risk keeping an illegal fish.

Im leaning towards snapper, possible a grouper of sorts, or bass? almost looks sheepheadish except for the shape.... oh I don't know, which is why I am askin.

anyone have a clue what I had here.?

thanks in advance.

Aaron

 

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[eathabs]

Sea Bass??

 

[River Rat]

Nice catch & release. Well, it's not a Sheepshead...they have a smaller mouth and have teeth. Not a snapper...wrong color. I leaning more towards the Black Sea Bass or Grouper.

RR

 

[RON (PA)]

Could it be a tautog, or more commonly called a tog. It looks like one to me..Could be wrong. Just a guess.

 

[SC_hunter]

UGLY?

 

[bigfish31]

Maybe its a small Goliath grouper?

 

[rcawdorswife]

Red Snapper?

 

[Ascholten]

I was told today it was a sea bass. I remember them being much darker, with the white a bit subdued, a bit chubbier, maybe a bit rounder shaped if that makes sense but was told that some get 'ugly' like that, or have the colors around the face.

I am told others call them rock or stone fish because they hang out in the rocks, which would make sense since I caught em in the jetties but still, interesting fish.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

aaron