Florida has many things that attract anglers to make the trip down south for an excellent fishing trip; the great beaches and nightlife, the beautiful waters, the friendly people and stunning natural landscapes. Above all, though what really gets people to the Sunshine State are the species of saltwater fish. The variety of game here is unrivaled in the country due its proximity to multiple different large bodies of water, and different ecosystems. The most common types of saltwater fish in Florida to test your skills against are:

Swordfish

These highly migratory, extremely fast swimmers are famous in Florida, and are a trophy if you can hook one. Spend the day trying to snatch them out of the water, but be aware that they are slippery, and they certainly don’t like going down without a fight. Be careful to stay aware from their sword-like bills, as they can do some hefty damage. Recognizable from their bill, single dorsal fin, and greenish hue, they tend to be at extremely deep depths.

Blue Marlin

Blue Marlin normally feed during the day, and stand out not just from their spear-like jaw, but also because of their pointed fins. Known as the ultimate big-game fish, it could take a veteran angler hours to finally triumph over one. Hemingway wrote about them extensively, and for good reason. Beautiful shades of cobalt blue, and white underbelly are dead giveaway that you’ve got yourself a Blue Marlin. Congratulations.

Cobia

These saltwater fish are usually closer to shores or in bays, and love to hang around flotsam and jetsam. Long, slim, and with a very big head, these guys have a dark stripe that extends from front to back from the eye to the tail. Usually in the 30-40 lb. range, if you outmatch one, you’ve accomplished something. Not just for a trophy though, they are delicious, and prized as great dinner material.

Mahi Mahi

The dolphin fish, known more by the Hawaiian name mahi mahi, may be the most beautiful fish in the water. With a turquoise color on top, yellow sides, and a mix of colors sprinkled in, they are truly a sight to behold. They have a long spine on top of the body that tapers as it gets towards the tail. Found in the open ocean, they are a favorite seafood dish. It is hard to mistake them for something else.

This is just the tip of iceberg, too. Expect to go up against other fish like kingfish, snook, groupers, and bonefish while sailing in the saltwater around Florida. Nowhere else offers the range of catch like the Sunshine State.