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:	304869 documented in database.
Earliest Record:	1/1/1830 12:00:00 AM and located at 28.02667, -96.99288.
Latest Record:	6/28/2024 9:49:28 AM and located at 32.70774, -79.96335.
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

November 1-11 Report 2024 - 11/11/2024 4:50:00 PM

Wow November has not been like it typically is. Usually November we have absolutely perfect weather conditions but this November we have been b (View)

We Got One Big One! - 10/15/2024 6:56:00 PM

  It looks like today may be the only day we get out this week (hopefully the winds die down later in the week - we'll see). This morning I mee (View)

Oversized Red Slot Red Big Flounder - 8/30/2024 10:50:00 AM

 I wrapped my week up fishing with Bill Redfield and his friends Elaine and Joel meeting them out at Goffinville Park boat ramp. We had live sh (View)

Changed Conditions - 8/21/2024 2:43:00 PM

 I last fished Friday and we had an outstanding trip catching Slot Redfish Oversized Reds keeper Trout and a huge Flounder. But 4 days made a d (View)

Weeding Thru Rat Reds to Find the Slots - 8/15/2024 4:02:00 PM

 With my boat trailer repaired I was back out at Goffinsville Park meeting John Raker Kenny King and John's mother Betty early for a half day o (View)

Big Start Big Finish - 8/16/2024 5:33:00 PM

 I fished with the Bailey boys Douglas and his sons Anderson and Dylan and his father-in-law Glenan meeting them down at Sawpit Creek boat ramp (View)

Jack Frenzy Gives Us Some Action - 8/8/2024 4:51:00 PM

 First day back after Tropical Storm Debby passed thru...I met Dennis Fritz his son Doug and grandsons Ethan and Spencer down at the Sawpit Cre (View)

Oversized Red Caps The Slam - 7/24/2024 3:29:00 PM

 I fished this morning with Mathew Massey and his daughter Sutton meeting them down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp. We made the short run up the (View)

Counting Variety - 7/30/2024 4:00:00 PM

 I was out at Goffinsville this morning meeting John Raker his mother Betty and his friend Kenny early for a day of back country fishing. We ma (View)

2nd Chance - 7/31/2024 4:19:00 PM

 I was out at Goffinsville again this morning fishing with David Vice and his buddy Roland. The sun had just come up as we left the dock and ma (View)