By Javier Bermeo, Founder of Wild Nexus

Fishing is, hands down, one of my favorite pursuits in the outdoors. In fact, I often tell people I’m a fisherman (or crabber) first, and everything else comes second. I am wholly convinced that the pursuit of a true trophy fish would become an obsession for nearly anyone if they were ever given the opportunity.

Yet, while tarpon, giant snook, striped bass, rare species of cutthroat trout, and even sheefish tend to steal the spotlight, most anglers spend their time chasing species that will never grace the cover of a magazine. They’re the fish that fill our local waters, introduce countless people to the sport, and provide just as many memorable days (miserable ones included), even if they rarely receive the recognition they deserve.

It should come as no surprise that we value the underdogs here at Wild Nexus. Some of the best days I’ve ever had on the water came chasing fish that most anglers never brag about. So, let’s give these overlooked species the attention they deserve.

Spotted Seatrout
Cynoscion nebulosus

Ranging from as far north as Massachusetts all the way south to the Yucatan Peninsula, these ubiquitous fish are often seen as the most common of the “big three” trophy species when it comes to inshore fishing. These fish will seldom reach over 24″, but the specimens that exceed that size are affectionately known as “gators” or “gator trout.” Despite lacking the size of their larger redfish and snook cousins, seatrout are ferocious predators that trawl through grass flats and estuarine environments. These fish will happily consume all manner of crustaceans under the popping cork, made famous by inshore fishermen, but smaller greenbacks and pinfish will be sufficient bait to land larger trout as well. Seatrout will happily strike artificial lures also. A 4″ white paddle tail under a jighead is a popular choice in many fisheries along the East Coast that are abundant with these predators. They are not known for their fighting abilities, but what they lack in fight, they make up for in vanity, for these fish are absolutely striking in appearance and make for some of the finest eating inshore fishing has to offer.

Whiting (Gulf Kingfish)
Menticirrhus littoralis

If you grew up fishing in one of the Gulf states, chances are, if you ever went surf fishing, these humble critters would end up at the end of your line. A member of the drum family, Gulf kingfish, otherwise called whiting, have a range spanning from the bend of Florida all the way to Mexico. There are other species of kingfish common in Atlantic waters, but surf fishing frequently in my home of Tampa Bay, a mess of whiting would make for a great day fishing the surf, and a great dinner also. These fish will rarely exceed 18″, but are usually abundant throughout their range. They occupy the various surf zones along the coast and will readily eat small shrimp, tiny pieces of cut bait, or sand fleas. Pompano rigs, which are multi hook rigs usually anchored by a pyramid sinker (size depending on the violence of the surf), have been my go to when fishing for these critters. I have also had luck with spoons cast deep into the trenches past the surf zones and, with a small enough hook, have been able to land whiting that way as well. Early mornings and evenings tend to be the most successful periods for me. I have found that in certain areas of my surf fishing honey holes, as the day progresses, ladyfish and jack crevalle seem to swarm and replace the whiting schools. If you can land a school of whiting, though, it is possible to reel in a healthy amount. They have delicate white flesh and almost zero fishiness due to their diet of mostly crustaceans and because they live in the ocean proper. One of my favorites from back home, and I think they rightly earned a place on this list!

Bullhead Catfish (Yellow)
Ameiurus natalis

Whether you use them as bait, a good excuse to take the kids fishing, or for dinner, bullhead catfish are one of the most ubiquitous animals on this list and are a personal favorite. Of the five separate species of bullhead, the yellow bullhead is the most common east of the Mississippi River. They earn that name because their pigmentation is often yellow, with less spotting and coloration than their brown bullhead cousins. I have caught bullhead in bodies of water I thought held no life, along with healthy rivers and lakes too. One of the great qualities of these smaller catfish is their ability to eat a wide range of bait. Nightcrawlers, small pieces of cut bait, and even hot dogs are great bait choices to haul in a mess of bullhead catfish. A traditional Carolina rig with slightly smaller circle hooks is my go to, but these can be caught on a wide variety of tackle presentations, and I have caught many as bycatch when targeting bluegill or crappie. Though not as large as their bigger cousins, the flathead, blue, and channel catfish, bullheads can sometimes reach 2 pounds or more and are usually good eating if caught from cleaner water.

Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus

There are a few compelling arguments that the bluegill may be the most common fish in North America. Ranging across nearly the whole continent, this species of sunfish is often people’s first catch, as it was mine. While the pumpkinseed and other sunfish species get attention for their looks, a large spawning bluegill is a handsome critter and often a sign of a good fishery for these panfish as well. They are commonly caught under a bobber with small J hooks or specialized panfish hooks. They can be tipped with nightcrawlers, small insects, bread, and many other kinds of bait. Despite their smaller size, these are active feeders and will happily chase a tiny spoon, beetle spin, or my favorite way to catch them: on a micro crankbait (more on that in the future). During the spawning season, which is often late spring through summer, though in some southern states like Florida this can happen in March, bluegill will make their infamous “beds,” which are little mounds carved out in the sediment to protect their young. This can be a great time to get on a load of mature bluegills that are actively feeding during the spawn, and it is usually when I have had the most success with the small artificial lures I mentioned earlier. As far as eating is concerned, bluegill have a mild taste with flaky white flesh. On slow days for catfish or crappie, bluegill have been a great alternative for a fish fry. My favorite preparation is to scale the fish first, remove the guts and innards, then batter the remaining morsel and fry it whole.

Bowfin
Amia calva

The bowfin is a mysterious species of fish that is estimated to have been around for close to 150 million years. These fish have ancient qualities. A single long dorsal fin running down their spine and the ability to actually breathe air allow them to live in very swampy, low oxygen waterways. In truth, these fish are unlike anything else in most of our freshwater fisheries, and despite having a very large range in North America, they are only abundant in a few areas of that range. The cypress swamps in the South tend to be the most consistent habitat where anglers land these fish, but they have an unearned reputation for being too bony and are widely considered bycatch by bass fishermen. I have known these fish to be caught on diving crankbaits, spinnerbaits, a myriad of cut bait including shad and cut panfish, and even Texas and wacky rigs have been known to land these fish consistently if they are present in the waterways you are fishing. They are not known for their eating quality, but their size and fight make them an absolutely underrated freshwater trophy. If catching dinosaurs is your thing, a bowfin may be able to scratch that itch.