Port Canaveral has numerous world record catches of Tripletail. Our average size out of Cape Canaveral is usually 6-10 pounds. But it is certainly not uncommon to catch fish pushing the 30-pound range when you’re charter fishing in Port Canaveral. So you can have a serious fight on your hands when you hook a big one on the ocean.
Anglers Envy Charters fishes for Tripletail using two methods. The first way we fish for Tripletail is around the buoys. They like to hang around the chains holding the buoys in place. We usually will use a 3/4 oz. jig head with a live shrimp on it. You will cast the shrimp next to the buoy let it sink down 20-30 feet then jig it up slowly. The bite will be subtle like a light thump. Then the battle is on, and you’ll have to pull them away from the buoy and chain. Fortunately, with Anglers Envy Charter Fishing, our captain is usually ready to power the boat away to help you get the fish clear. I personally have caught my biggest fish using this method, but have lost my fair share, too.
The second method we use is sight fishing. In my opinion, this might be one of the most enjoyable fishing experiences there is. Our captain will drive you around looking for floating debris in the water, such as grass or wood. The Tripletail will be lying underneath the debris, and you will then cast a shrimp near them and literally watch them swim over and eat your shrimp. It’s pretty exciting to watch it all unfold when you’re charter fishing in Port Canaveral.
Tripletail fishing is done close to shore, usually within 1-4 miles. It’s a short ride out with Anglers Envy Charter Fishing, so you get plenty of fishing time. Tripletail fishing usually is the best in the wintertime up until April, at which time Tripletail becomes more spread out across warm coastal waters.
As far as eating quality, these fish are excellent. Anglers Envy Charters recommends just seasoning and sauté in a little bit of butter and enjoy. The Tripletail is a light and delicate fish, and its flavor shines through when it’s not overpowered by other flavors competing for your palate’s attention.
Tripletail itself is not a particularly pleasant fish to look at, but like the monkfish or the wolffish, its taste more than makes up for its looks. The Tripletail gets its name from the extended dorsal and lower back fins, which make the fish appear to have three tails. It’s commonly found in warmer coastal waters in both the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. It’s been sighted as far north as Massachusetts. This is a rarity, though, because Tripletail prefers not to stray too far away from the warm waters of the Southeast and the Caribbean.
One of the Tripletail’s most recognizable behaviors that you’re sure to see while charter fishing in Port Canaveral is its tendency to act like a leaf and expose one side of its body while appearing to float. That might work for keeping it safe from aquatic predators, but it makes them a visible human target, leading to restrictions on how many can be kept in a day.
Even if you hit those restrictions during your experience with Anglers Envy Charter Fishing, you’ll have a lot of fun getting out on the water and getting the chance to test your fishing skills against one of the best-tasting fish that you’ll ever find. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
