Pinfish are silvery, with blue, yellow stripes and yellow fins with a large, dark spot behind the gill cover. The spines on the dorsal and anal fins are super sharp! It’s no wonder why they are called “Pinfish”!

These fish can be found in coastal waters near structure and may enter freshwater. Pinfish feed on small fishes and invertebrates and make a popular live bait for anglers. 

When they are young, Pinfish are mainly carnivores and feed primarily on shrimp, fish eggs, insect larvae, polychaete worms, and amphipods. As pinfish become older and larger their diets switch to mostly plant matter. 

The pinfish is found in Bermuda and along the United States coast from Massachusetts to Texas, and down along the Mexican Gulf Coast. And the Caribbean Islands.