Lots of snapper species to choose from in Florida. If reds are your favorite, the many wrecks and reefs off the Panhandle and Northeast coasts are home to great numbers and sizes, ranging from 3 pounds on up to 30. The only seasonal component, on the Gulf side anyway, is a closed season running from November through late April. When the season is open, red snapper fishing is a pretty sure bet.

Big mangroves topping 10 pounds are most abundant on the deep Gulf ledges and wrecks off Clearwater and St. Petersburg, and on similar structure (wrecks, especially) between about Sebastian and Daytona. Small, pan-size mangroves are widespread around the state.

Yellowtail action is most dependable in the Florida Keys, particularly during the calm summer months. Muttons are mostly a South Florida species, but occasionally show up on deep Gulf sites like the Middle Ground. Best months seem to be spring and fall, corresponding with spawning activity.