Mojarra
Species > Mojarra
Mojarra are a bait fish commonly found inshore and on the beaches in large schools. They are called many names - goat, goatfish, sand brim, sand perch, silverbelly and silverbiddy. Because they travel in large schools, they are easy to catch with a cast net or seine net from the beach. This species is unregulated. You can catch mojarra by throwing a cast net onto a school of them or by using squid tipped sabiki rig.
Irish Mojarra (Diapterus auratus)
The Irish mojarra, or commonly known as Irish Pompano, has an unusual looking mouth, on first glance you would think it's a mouth protruding from a mouth. The deep body and shinny silver flesh make this fish quite stunning. The silver jenny can grow to 9 inches and can be good table fare, see video below.
This Irish mojarra was caught under a bridge in Clearwater, FL at Sand Key Park, the water was 4' to 6' deep.
Mike caught this Irish mojarra in 12 foot deep canal in Key Colony Beach at night using squid.
Peter P. caught this Irish mojarra in the surf at Fort Pierce (Hutchinson Island).
Silver Jenny Mojarra (Eucinostomus gula)
The Silver Jenny Mojarra come from the western Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico. This mojara has silver scales as well as weirdly shaped mouths that protrude downward when extended. It averages 6 inches and can grow up to 9 inches. They eat any plankton dwelling within the ocean and other kinds of water bacteria. If you want to catch a Silver Jenny, you would normally find them in schools over mud bottoms, mangrove estuaries and other vegetated areas.
This juvenile Silver jenny was caught while seining in Southwest Florida. Image Credit: Sea Grant Florida & Univ. of Florida, IFAS Ext. Collier County
Stripped Mojarra (Eugerres plumieri)
The stripped mojarra travels in large schools and is common inshore in Florida. This is excellent bait for fish who can be picky. The 4 inch stripped mojarra are the best snook bait.
This stripped mojarra was caught in Little Manatee near Tampa, FL and is about as large as they get at 6 inches.
Yellowfin Mojarra (Gerres cinereus)
The Yellowfin mojarra is located from Florida thru the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean in coastal waters and reefs feeding on insects and invertebrates. Like the other mojarra, the Yellowfin has a large, expandable mouth and deep body. You can identify this mojarra species by the 7 faint bars on its side and the lower pelvic yellowfin. Juveniles can be found in big schools, adults generally travel in small groups or alone.
Darrell N. caught this yellow fin mojarra while kayak fishing Feb 9, 2021
Cooking Mojarra
It has been reported that the larger mojarra in the 9 inch range, probably the Silver Jenny, are good eating! Well we found a video that shows you how to fillet and cook a mojarra.
