Virginia fishing enthusiasts often choose t shirts and other apparel to display favorite species of saltwater fish. There are endless styles to choose from, varying from simple text only slogans to intricate logos featuring several species of fish. Classic t-shirts are most common, with other options including golf shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, raglan jerseys, tank tops, sleeveless tees and more.
The following Virginia saltwater fish are commonly displayed on t shirts and other gifts.
Striped Bass - Virginia fishermen brave the cold and nasty weather of fall and early winter to catch striped bass. Also known as rockfish, these popular fish have stout bodies with alternating stripes of brown and silver.
Flounder – An icon of Virginia inshore fishing, these delicious fish have both eyes on the same side of their head. Their color varies, from dark brown to tan, depending on surroundings.
Bluefish – Bluefish are known for their fierce bites, aggressive feeding and brute strength. These fish range from 1-20 lbs and are greenish-blue in color.
Red Drum – Red drum are among the largest inshore fish of Virginia. They have heavy bodies with a coppery coloring.
Black Drum – Another fish sought after by fishermen, adult black drum are dark gray to brown with faint stripes while younger fish have a more prominent series of silver and black vertical stripes. Both adults and young fish have chin barbels.
Speckled Trout – These beautiful fish have silvery gray backs with a white belly. The upper parts and tail of the fish have an iridescent sheen and black spots. The dorsal and tail fin are also spotted.
Gray Trout – Trout are beautifully colored, dark olive above, with iridescent flanks and a silvery white belly.
Spadefish – These ocean dwellers have angelfish shaped bodies and prominent vertical bars of alternating black and silver.
Black Sea Bass – These ocean fish are small to mid sized, but pack a fierce appetite and fight. Males are brightly colored with black, indigo blue, green and silver.
Tautog – These are another unattractive but highly prized saltwater fish. They grow slowly and are known for extreme intelligence. Tautog, also called blackfish live among shipwrecks, rocky areas and artificial reefs off the coast of Virginia.
Yellowfin Tuna – Yellowfin tuna are the most colorful of the tuna. Their bodies are dark metallic blue above, changing to silver on the belly. The body is often strikingly marked with a pattern of vertical lines. The fish get their name from the coloration of the second dorsal fin and the anal fin which are bright yellow
Bluefin Tuna – Bluefin tuna are noted for having a large, torpedo-shaped body that is nearly circular in cross-section. The fish is dark blueish-black on the back and white on the lower sides and belly. A pattern of lines alternate with rows of spots on the lower sides.
Mahi Mahi – Mahi Mahi are one of the most beautiful saltwater fish. They are slender with a blunt head, colored green, yellow and blue. Also known as dolphin, dolphin fish and dorado.
Wahoo – Wahoo are long sleek pelagic fish with razor sharp teeth. Wahoo are among the fastest of the pelagic fish. Their tiger stripe markings are un-mistakeable.
King Mackerel – Sometimes referred to as kingfish, these sleek fish are smaller relatives of wahoo. They lurk around wrecks, reefs and shoals off the coast, slashing baitfish with their incredibly sharp teeth.
White Marlin – These brightly colored billfish are smaller than blue and striped marlin, but are highly sought after by fishermen because of their spectacular leaps and cunning behavior.
Blue Marlin – These magnificent fish may weigh over 1000 lbs. Their blue backs, immense size and bill make them very recognizable.
Mako Shark – These incredibly fast sharks patrol the offshore waters off Virginia. They are identified by their blue color, torpedo shaped bodies, fierce set of teeth and coal black eyes.
Looking for a saltwater fish t-shirt? Visit Outdoors USA online store to find Fish and Fishing T Shirts