Ladyfish

Species Information

Scientific Name:	Elops saurus
Common Names:	ladyfish, tenpounder
Environment:	Inshore, Nearshore
Ideal Temp:	77-84°F (25-29°F)

About Ladyfish

The ladyfish or tenpounder (Elops saurus) is a species of fish in the genus Elops, the only genus in the monotypic family Elopidae. Like other species in its genus, the ladyfish has a long, slender, rounded body covered with silvery scales. Its mouth is terminal and the tail is deeply forked. The species can be distinguished by counting the number of gill rakers and vertebrae. The name comes from the Greek ellops - a kind of serpent. They are commonly known as ladyfish, skipjacks, jack-rashes, or tenpounders.

The ladyfish are a coastal-dwelling fish found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions, occasionally venturing into temperate waters. They are distributed in the western North Atlantic Ocean from New England to Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico. Its distribution overlaps with the malacho (Elops smithi) in the southeast US and the southern Gulf of Mexico.

The ladyfish is a marine species that lives in primarily coastal environments, and can occasionally be found in canals, sloughs and large rivers. They are inshore species that are commonly found in estuaries, coastal lagoons, hyper saline bays, along shorelines, and even venture far up coastal streams. Occasionally this fish is found several miles offshore. The ladyfish prefers open water areas in channels with moderate currents, and shallow bars and eddies at bends in rivers. It lives to depths of 160 feet. Spawning takes place at sea, and the fish larvae migrate inland entering brackish waters.

Adult ladyfish are strictly carnivorous, feeding on small bony fish, including members of its own species, menhaden and silversides, as well as invertebrates including crustaceans. This fish swallows its prey whole. When hooked, ladyfish will often make a fast run and wildly leap into the air. This acrobatic display has earned them the nickname “poor man’s tarpon.

Ladyfish Fishing

World Record:	3.62 kg (8 lb 0 oz) Sepatiba Bay, Brazil 21-Feb-2006
# Fish Caught:	304893 documented in database.
Earliest Record:	1/1/1830 12:00:00 AM and located at 28.02667, -96.99288.
Latest Record:	3/25/2025 12:05:33 PM and located at 25.93197, -80.33045.
Common Techniques:	Bottom Fishing, Casting, Fly, Jigging
Popular Lure Types:	Bottom Rig, Flies, Jigs, Soft Plastics
Fishing Spots:	3 Ladyfish fishing spots.

Latest Ladyfish Fishing Reports and Spots

Nice Box of Fish - 8/25/2025 6:58:00 PM

 We had a pretty day when I met Frank and Joanne Wytiaz down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp early this morning - clear skies just a slight wind (View)

Weeding Thru the Ladies to get the Big One - 8/22/2025 9:22:00 PM

 Pretty day today -sunshine clear skies and just a light breeze. I had met John Raker out at Goffinsville Park on a tide that was high and stil (View)

August off to a fast start! August 1-15 2025 - 8/15/2025 9:32:00 AM

Man oh man August has been on fire for the first two weeks.  First it's been a bit breezy making the dog days of August anything but.  It has a (View)

This 23 Red Had Some Bulk - 8/14/2025 6:15:00 PM

 Finally! I was back fishing this morning meeting Larry and Connie Soper up at the Old Town Bait and Tackle boat ramp early (6:30am) - we wante (View)

We Skirted The Storms - 8/7/2025 5:49:00 PM

 After last week's heat today's weather was a blessing albeit kind of spooky - there were storms to the eastof us and storms to the west of us (View)

It's hotter than you think the fishing that is! July 16-31 2025 Report - 8/4/2025 10:04:00 AM

Well well this was a solid way to wrap up July and kick off my birthday at the end of the month.  I had a good mix of pot luck fishing and spec (View)

Birthday Boy's First Fishing Trip - 7/30/2025 5:18:00 PM

  We entered a new era when Steve Locke treated his son Justin and grandson Landon to an Amelia Island Back Country fishing trip. It was Landon (View)

Netting Grandad's Slot Red - 7/23/2025 4:45:00 PM

 Finally back down at the south end today - I met Jeff Adams his son Beau and father-in-law Charlie early at Sawpit Creek and we made a long ru (View)

This has been nice! July 1-15 2025 Report - 7/15/2025 6:43:00 PM

Well the weather has been nice very nice actually with summer being a bit breezier than normal keeping us cool and comfortable during our trips (View)

Permit Mayhem! Month Wrap up Report June 15-30 2025 - 6/30/2025 6:51:00 PM

Wow what a way to end the month of June! While most of my charters have been for bonefish tarpon and permit I have done a little bit of potluck (View)