Atlantic Spadefish(Chaetodipterus faber)

Quick Facts

  • Size Range: Reaching weights of up to 19 pounds, but the average around 10.
  • Native Species?: Yes
  • Food Value: They are fair to eat, but due to their normal diet of jellyfish, they are not a common catch, despite their abundance.

State Record

  • Louisiana State Record: 10.31lbs
  • State Record Date: 8/1/1989
  • State Record Holder Chad Vallee

The Atlantic spadefish is a unique fish that has a large silver angelfish-shape and prominent black vertical bars. It is not an angelfish, despite the similarity.

Juvenile fish live inshore around structures and grass beds, while adults congregate in large schools over offshore structures and reefs. They are often seen sticking their backs out of the water over shallow wrecks.

Small ones are caught on small bits of shrimp or clam, while adults are much harder to catch as they mainly eat jellyfish.

Related Habitats:
Other Fin Fish Species: Mahogany Snapper Spotted Bass Warmouth Longear Sunfish Flathead Catfish Bonnethead Shark Atlantic Sharpnose Shark Banded Rudderfish
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Related Fishing Methods

Bottom fishing is normally about fishing bottom structures in order to target benthic or bottom dwelling fish. There are a wide variety of techniques, but the common element is the targeting of species who dwell around or hide in natural and man-made structures. Fish like grouper, snapper, amberjack and catfish would be considered bottom fish. It is very popular amongst anglers and success is often determined by the fishermen's ability to crank a fish away from the structure before the fish can duck into it and cut the line. Anchoring or drifting the boat over the structure is key to having success. There are many versions, and many of the bottom fish are prized eating.

Dead bait consists of many different types of bait that is no longer alive. Dead bait is still attractive to many fish as they are normally feeding by smell and dead bait is the ticket for smell. Fresh cut fish, dead shrimp, half crab, shucked clam, cut squid and all popular examples of bait that will catch a wide variety of fish. Many sport fish that are predators, will gladly take the opportunity to slurp up a fresh dead bait. A redfish is equally happy to chase down a baitfish or slurp up a dead shrimp on the bottom. Dead bait has the benefit is being easy to obtain, maintain and transport, as opposed to live bait which takes livewells, quality water control and can be harder to obtain.