Centropomus ensiferus

How to identify a Swordspine Snook

Swordspine Snook are found in coastal bays, estuaries, beaches, jetties, reefs, and continental-shelf waters. Use these features as a starting point and compare with a full identification guide before relying on any identification.

Habitat and range

Coastal bays, estuaries, beaches, jetties, reefs, and continental-shelf waters

Where to catch Swordspine Snook

• Gulf coast surf & bays — all species we list for this fishery
• Chesapeake (MD/VA) — all species we list for this fishery
• Florida beaches — all species we list for this fishery
• Australian estuaries — all species we list for this fishery

Swordspine Snook by state

State season calendars that list Swordspine Snook — each shows the months it is in season and the official licence source:

• Alabama — seasons, best months and licence info
• Florida — seasons, best months and licence info
• Louisiana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Maryland — seasons, best months and licence info
• Mississippi — seasons, best months and licence info
• Texas — seasons, best months and licence info
• Virginia — seasons, best months and licence info

Baits and lures

Species-dependent · baitfish · squid · shrimp · crabs · worms · jigs · spoons · plugs · or flies

Related species

Often caught in the same waters or confused with Swordspine Snook:

• Fat Snook — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Snook — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Tarpon — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Tautog (Blackfish) — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Thornback Ray — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Tiger Rockfish — identification & profile (Saltwater)