Saltwater · Year-round on deep reefs; encountered mainly at night or as bycatch when bottom fishing for snapper and grouper.
Atlantic Bigeye
Priacanthus arenatus
A bright-red, very large-eyed nocturnal reef fish of the tropical Atlantic, forming small aggregations near the bottom at night and feeding on small fish, bristle worms and crustaceans.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Uniform bright red colour over the whole body and fins
- Enormously large eyes — unmistakable among reef fishes
- Deep, compressed body with a large, upturned mouth
- Fins with dark margins in some individuals; scales rough
- Commonly about 14 in (36 cm); IGFA record 50 cm
Habits
- Primarily nocturnal; shelters near reefs by day, feeds at night
- Diet of small fish, bristle worms and crustaceans, mostly larvae of reef animals
- Forms small aggregations near the bottom at night
- Minor commercial species, mostly bycatch; flesh considered excellent but fish are small and bony
Distribution
Where to find them
- Deep reef edges and wrecks in the Florida Keys
- Outer reef slopes off Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Bahamas
- Rocky shelf outcrops in the Gulf of Mexico
Where they live
How to catch them
Night bottom fishing on deep reef Boat
Rig: Bottom rig or small jig fished vertically at night
Bait/lure: Squid strip or small shrimp
Key tip: Fish after dark over reef edges; bites are often subtle, so watch the rod tip closely.
Bottom fishing with natural bait Boat
Rig: Two-hook paternoster or Carolina rig with 1-3 oz sinker
Bait/lure: Live or fresh shrimp
Key tip: Keep the bait on the bottom over sand or mud and wait for the soft, tapping bite.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Light to medium spinning rod 7-8 ft
- Line: 10-20 lb braid with 20 lb fluorocarbon leader
- Terminal: Size 1 to 2/0 circle or J hooks, 1-3 oz sinker
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
7'6" medium-heavy jigging rod
≈ US$110-170
Works 2-6 oz jigs over rock and reef and still has the backbone to lift a halibut off the bottom.
Line · Budget
50 lb braid with 40 lb leader (200 yd)
≈ US$25-40
Thin braid cuts the current so jigs stay vertical; the leader shrugs off rock and teeth.
Terminal · Budget
Leadhead jigs, swimbaits and two-hook bottom rigs
≈ US$25-40
A leadhead with a swimbait tail is the universal bottom-fish catcher, from rockfish to cod to flounder.
Picks are never paid placements. Prices are guides; price links are coming soon and none is an affiliate link yet.
Typical size
Commonly about 36 cm (14 in); IGFA record 50 cm.
On the table
Edible and eaten fresh or in soups; also used as bait when small.
Similar species
Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
Plan a trip for Atlantic Bigeye
Build today's plan⚠ Heads-up: Atlantic Bigeye doesn't occur around Vancouver, BC (or is very rare there), so it's not a sensible local target. Your plan stays in Vancouver, BC and is built around the fish that actually live there.