Top 5 Fish Species for Beginner Spearfishers to Target - East Coast Edition

Not all fish are created equal, and not all spearfishing paths yield the same results. As a beginner, it's important to target species that are approachable and delicious. Learning to target just a few specific species can be a great way to grow a strong foundation for spearfishing. In this article, we'll help you find the 5 best species to learn to spearfish on, plus a bonus species at the end.

1. hogfish

Hogfish are the first fish taken by spearfishing for many. They have delicious white flakey meat, a wide body that presents an easy shot, and have a reputation of being "dumb". Obviously, any animal that can survive in the ocean is intelligent in it's own right, but that said, Hogfish do tend to give spearfishers a great shot. Plus, they are incredibly easy to identify and judge on whether or not they are illegal. Many people don't understand how to judge legally-sized fish underwater. It's a great question, and the best way to judge a fish's size, is to actually not judge the size at all, but rather the features that become more pronounced. Male Hogfish tend to develop a "beak" around around 16 inches, and this is because as a member of the Wrasse family, the largest fish in the community will change sex to be a male. So a great rule of thumb when judging if a Hogfish is legal, is to look for the "beak".

• Size and behavior: Hogfish grow to 20+ lbs and over 30 inches. A respectable hogfish is about 20 inches. They are a communal fish typically, hunting crustaceans in the grass, which is why they have a "beak". They often will be stationary amongst corals and sponges, blended in, or out on the sand flats moving slowly along hunting.
  

• Habitat: They prefer rocky reefs and sand flats in warm waters where they hunt crustaceans in the sand. A coral head or small patch reef is the perfect place to find Hogfish. Florida and specially the Bahamas are a world class place to target them. Their numbers dwindled in Florida, but regulation changes in the last 10 years have seen their populations rebound.
  

2. Tautog or Blackfish (Archosargus probatocephalus)

Tautog are a lesser-known fish in Northeast, athough if you are an angler or spearfishermen in the cold, murky waters of New England's shores, you likely have a certain reverence for them.

• Size and behavior: Tautog, like Hogfish feed on mollusks and crustaceans, and their firm white meat reflects their diet, they are delicious. A good keeper sized Tautog is typically 20+ inches. Though they can grow well beyond 15 lbs and 26 inches. They can be found in just a few feet of water and beyond, making them favorable for spearfishing because you don't have to dive very deep to get them.
  

• Habitat: Tautog prefer areas with plenty of hiding spots, wether that's artificial or natural structure. They tend to be territorial, meaning if you do find good bottom, Tautog are typically not far away.
  

• Spearfishing tips: Similar to Hogfish, Tautog are a member of the Wrasse family, and the larger fish become males and develop a distinctive "white chin". Find shallow, rocky bottom and there will invariably be Tautog.
  

  
  

3. Red Grouper

Grouper are on the menu on most east coast seafood restaurants. There are many kinds, each with it's own flavor type - that's for a different article. But, of the Grouper family, the Red Grouper is the easiest to spear.

• Size and behavior: Red Grouper are commonly found in the 20 inch range at 6+ lbs. They are a territorial fish on the reef, and will often be found "hovering" near their hole, making them a great fish to target for spearfishermen.
  

• Habitat: Coral reefs in the Caribbean. They can often be camouflaged next to sea fans and sponges, with their red splotchy colors, or if they are on the sand, they are often white. Shallow patch reefs and coral heads are an excellent place to target Red Grouper.
  

• Spearfishing tips: Being that they are quite territorial, divers can often get close to Red Grouper. Because they are near their holes, they may "rock up" after being speared. As long as you can see your speargun or polespear, it's not a bad idea to surface, collect yourself, and go down on another dive for extraction.

  
  

4. Gray/Mangrove Snapper

Most of us have heard of Yellowtail Snapper. However, there are many other Snappers out there; Mutton, Lane, Vermillion, and one of the more common in nearshore reefs are the Gray or Mangrove Snapper.

• Size and behavior: Usually around 12 inches with a respectable one being 18 inches. They are often found in small to large schools, crusing shallow reefs or as their name entails, the Florida Mangroves.
  

• Habitat: Shallow nearshore reefs, patch roofs, Mangroves, and artificial structure.
  

• Spearfishing tips: While very common, they can be a challenging fish to get a good shot on because they are always moving, and their body's are slender. This means they are an easy fish often to find, but that does not mean spearing them is a guarantee. We put them on the list because they are easy to find, which is very important when starting out spearfishing, but these fish will take a lifetime to learn to hunt effectively. That makes them great for beginners and experts alike.

5. Cero Mackerel

This may be the first water column fish you spear, and it's a great one. It's not commonly targeted by anglers or spearos, it's somewhere between a Wahoo and a Spanish Mackerel. People who know Wahoo as one of the best sushi grade fishes out there, you've probably seen it on menus as Ono. But the lesser known Cero Mackerel, often gets lumped in with Spanish Mackerel, and it's just not right because I'd argue Cero Mackerel is even better than Wahoo.

• Size and behavior: Often 16 inches to 30 inches, Cero Mackerel are typically found in depths less than 100 feet, and swim in the water column. Many times, they can be within 15 feet of the surface and curious, making them a great fish to spear for beginners.

• Habitat: 10 - 100 feet usually cruising above coral reefs in the Caribbean.
  

• Spearfishing tips: Many spearos often miss their chances at Cero Mackerel because they don't keep their head on swivel when they are in the water column, and only see them as they swim by. Cero Mackerel are a curious mid-water column fish, and they will come in to check you out. Be ready to take a shot, even if you are not on the bottom.

Bonus. Grey Triggerfish

One of the slowest, and most delicious fish that are plentiful depending on where you are, Grey Triggerfish are an exceptional species to spearfish, and are often overlooked. Just be careful, they are a hardy species and can bite you long after being speared, and they arn't the easiest to filet.

• Size and behavior: Often 10+ inches. Grey Triggerfish inhabit shallow reefs and structure inland in tropical waters, and are often found in congregations. Though, during the Summer, they've been known to frequent as far north as Massachusetts, and are a tasty summer treat for spearfishermen in Rhode Island. They are slow moving, often territorial, and not intimidated by divers, making them a great target for spearfishing.
  

• Habitat: 10 - 100 feet usually cruising above coral reefs in the Caribbean.
  

• Spearfishing tips: Their wide bodies make them a great target, but it's also easy to spear them in the filet and ruin the meat. Aim for the head, and be careful of their dorsal fin spine which can spike you long after they're dead.

Tips for Beginner Spearfishers

• Take a freedive course. FII and PADI both offer freediving courses, and can help you comfortably learn to freedive.

• Snorkel first, spearfish next. Consider snorkeling with the intention of spearfishing, pick a few fish you want to find, and go snorkel to ID them. This is the beginning of tracking, and a necessary skill for spearfishing.

• Hire a Guide. Local knowledge and a good guide can increase your learning curve by years. We offer spearfish guiding at www.spearfishingRI.com. Book a call with us and we can help you get started in your spearfishing journey.