Gulf of America Fish Species Guide
A field guide to the Gulf of Mexico fish species our anglers target in the Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico) offshore of Grand Isle and Port Fourchon, Louisiana — identification, habitat, Louisiana seasons and regulations, and how we fish for each one.
Red Snapper
Lutjanus campechanus
Identification & Habitat
Red snapper is the most sought-after reef fish in the Gulf of America. It has a deep-bodied, red-to-pink body, a pointed anal fin, large reddish eyes, and sharp canine teeth. It's a structure fish, holding around oil platforms, pipelines, reefs, and wrecks in 60–300 feet of water within reach of Grand Isle and Port Fourchon, feeding on small fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs.
Louisiana Season & Regulations
The 2026 federal for-hire recreational season for red snapper in Gulf waters runs June 1 through October 26. Minimum size is 16 inches total length.
How We Fish For It
Bottom fishing with cut bait, live bait, or squid on 50–80 lb braid, 5/0–7/0 circle hooks, and 4–16 oz sinkers, working structure within about 40 miles of Port Fourchon.
Yellowfin Tuna
Thunnus albacares
Identification & Habitat
The crown jewel of Gulf of America offshore fishing. Yellowfin have a brilliant yellow second dorsal fin, anal fin, and finlets, with a deep metallic blue-black back and a silver-white belly marked by a golden stripe. They roam open, tropical/subtropical water, preferring 65–88°F with an optimal range of 72–80°F.
Louisiana Season
Peak seasons out of Louisiana are spring (March through June) and fall (September through November).
How We Fish For It
Live bait fished around deepwater platforms, chunking with squid or bonito, and trolling skirted lures, backed by 50-wide and 80-wide two-speed reels for the fight.
Mahi-Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Identification & Habitat
Also called dolphinfish or dorado — iridescent gold, green, and blue, with mature males ("bulls") sporting a squared forehead. They're pelagic fish that grow fast and congregate around floating debris, weed lines, and sargassum; the Mississippi River plume creates weed lines that hold them, while platforms in 400–800 feet attract schoolie mahi in the 5–20 lb range. Larger bulls run more solitary along current edges.
Louisiana Season & Regulations
Prime season is April through October, peaking in May, June, and July, and can extend into November in warm years. There is no minimum size limit in Gulf federal waters, a 10-fish daily bag limit per angler, no seasonal closure, and no special permit required.
How We Fish For It
Trolling rigged ballyhoo under skirted lures at 7–9 knots along weed lines, then switching to spinning gear with 20–40 lb braid once a school is hooked up. Bulls over 30 lbs often show up near offshore platforms on full-day and overnight trips.
Wahoo
Acanthocybium solandri
Identification & Habitat
One of the fastest, most razor-toothed fish in the Gulf, capable of bursts up to 60 mph. Torpedo-shaped with a pointed snout, a forked tail, and an electric blue-green back with vertical stripes fading to silver. Gulf wahoo typically run 10–60 lbs, with fish over 80 lbs showing up occasionally. They're solitary open-water predators holding in 100+ feet of water, concentrating between 300 and 1,000 feet, and feed most actively at dawn and dusk.
Louisiana Season & Regulations
The best wahoo fishing in Louisiana runs October through February, with November and December producing exceptional fish in the 50–80 lb class. There is no federal minimum size, a 2-fish daily bag limit per angler, and no closed season.
How We Fish For It
High-speed trolling at 12–18 knots with specialized lures or natural baits behind 80–200 lb wire leaders.
Greater Amberjack
Seriola dumerili
Identification & Habitat
Known locally as "AJ" or "reef donkeys" for how hard they fight. Greater amberjack are the largest member of the jack family, with a dark olive-brown to amber back, a silver-white belly, and an amber stripe running from nose to tail. They're reef and structure-oriented, holding in 60–300+ feet around platforms, pipelines, ledges, wrecks, and artificial reefs, and hunt in packs, herding baitfish like blue runners, cigar minnows, and threadfin herring.
Louisiana Season & Regulations
The federal recreational season is short: September 1 through October 13, 2026, closing at 12:01 a.m. on October 14. Plan trips targeting AJs specifically around that six-week window.
How We Fish For It
Live bait trolled around platforms (blue runners are the top choice), cigar minnows fished on knocker rigs, and heavy jigs worked on 50–80 lb tackle.
Cobia
Rachycentron canadum
Identification & Habitat
A curious, fearless fish with no close relatives — elongated body, broad flat head, and a dark brown-to-black lateral stripe running snout to tail (juveniles show bold black-and-white bars instead). Cobia migrate through Louisiana waters in spring, often riding the bow wake of stingrays or cruising near buoys, platforms, and floating debris; a few stay year-round around deep offshore structure.
Louisiana Season & Regulations
Spring migration through Louisiana runs March through June, peaking in April and May. Federal minimum size is 36 inches fork length, and the daily bag limit is 1 fish per person. Vessel limits and possession rules can change season to season, so confirm current NOAA Fisheries regulations before you keep a fish.
How We Fish For It
Spring sight-fishing — cruising for rays with cobia riding above them and pitching live eels, pinfish, or mullet — plus jigs, bucktails, soft plastics, and popping plugs. Offshore, we freeline live baits like blue runners, pinfish, and shrimp near platform legs.
Swordfish
Xiphias gladius
Identification & Habitat
The ultimate overnight deep-drop trophy, targeted on our 24-hour overnight charters out of Port Fourchon and Grand Isle. Swordfish have a long, flat bill, a crescent tail, and a brownish-black back fading to cream; adults lose their scales and develop rough skin. They migrate through deep Gulf water 1,000–2,000+ feet, moving up toward the surface at night and back down during the day.
Regulations
A federal HMS Angling Permit is required. Minimum size is 47 inches lower jaw fork length, the bag limit is 1 fish per vessel per trip regardless of trip length, and any billfish landing must be reported to NMFS within 24 hours at 1-800-894-5528.
How We Fish For It
Nighttime deep-dropping on electric reels and 130 lb conventional outfits, with 200–300 feet of heavy leader and whole squid, mackerel, or bonito baited down to 800–1,500 feet. High-intensity squid lights draw in the bioluminescent organisms that swordfish feed on. Expect a fight anywhere from 45 minutes to two-plus hours.
Mangrove Snapper
Lutjanus griseus
Identification & Habitat
Also called "gray snapper" — a cunning, line-shy fish that hugs structure, reddish-gray to brownish with a dark stripe running from snout through the eye. Juveniles start out in shallow estuaries and mangroves before adults move to deeper reef structure, commonly 60–300 feet around platforms, reefs, and wrecks off Louisiana — a staple on our half-day, full-day, and extended trips.
How We Fish For It
Finesse tackle with light fluorocarbon leaders (15–30 lb), small 1/0–3/0 circle hooks, and fresh cut bait like squid, shrimp, or cigar minnow, plus light jig heads paired with soft plastics. Bite windows are best around tide changes, early morning, and late afternoon.
On the Table
Fine-grained, white, sweet meat — widely considered one of the best-eating snapper in the Gulf.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is red snapper season in Louisiana in 2026?
The 2026 federal for-hire recreational season for red snapper runs June 1 through October 26.
How big do greater amberjack get in the Gulf of America?
Louisiana anglers typically land greater amberjack in the 20–80 lb range, occasionally topping 100 lbs on deep structure. The IGFA all-tackle world record stands at 163 lbs.
What is the minimum size limit for cobia?
Federal regulations set a 36-inch fork length minimum for cobia, with a daily bag limit of 1 fish per person. Always confirm current NOAA Fisheries rules before keeping a fish, since limits can change.
Do you need a special permit to fish for swordfish in the Gulf?
Yes — a federal HMS (Highly Migratory Species) Angling Permit is required, and any billfish landed must be reported to NMFS within 24 hours.
Can you catch mahi-mahi year-round in Louisiana?
Not reliably. Mahi-mahi season peaks April through October, with the best action in May, June, and July, and can extend into November in warm years.
What's the best season for wahoo off Louisiana?
Wahoo fishing is best October through February, with November and December producing the largest fish, often 50–80 lbs.
Book Your Gulf of America Charter
Half-day, full-day, and overnight trips out of Grand Isle and Port Fourchon, Louisiana.