(Menticirrhus undulatus)
This species is common to the sand beaches of the Pacific, from Point
Conception south to Guaymas, Mexico. It feeds during the larger part
of the year in the surf, and is caught from the wharfs or by long
casts with heavy sinkers from the beach. The whiting appears on the
California coast in two varieties, the =undulatus= proper and a
subspecies which I think has never been classified. At any rate, the
difference seems sufficient to entitle it to a subspecifies
classification, for the mouth curves strongly downward, and,
therefore, does not extend so far back as the undulatus proper. The
tail also differs, in having both upper and lower lobes rounded,
instead of the upper being square as in the =undulatus=.
Head, about one-fifth of the entire length; snout, rather pointed, and
projecting beyond the mouth; mouth reaching to the center of the eye;
small barbel on the lower lip. Dorsal fin, double, the first with from
seven to nine spines, the second soft and reaching from the first to
within about the length of the head from the tail; pectoral fins near
the gills and about the width of the eye below the center of the body;
ventral fins, a little behind the pectoral; anal fin under the center
of the second dorsal; dorsal fins dark; pectoral, ventral and anal
fins, light with darker tips; tail of the =undulatus= proper, upper
lobe square and lower lobe rounded. Back, bluish brown, shading to
white on the belly; scales, small. Below the lateral line are a number
of small spots forming irregular lines running backward and upward.
Size, rarely exceeding eight pounds.
The illustration is of the variety that I have referred to as a
subspecies.
=Tackle and Lure=--The three-six tackle. Rod to be of wood, consisting
of a butt and tip, and to be not shorter than six feet over all;
weight of entire rod not to exceed six ounces; butt not to be over
twelve inches in length. Line not to exceed standard 6-thread. Lure,
sandflies, mussels or clams.
[Illustration: YELLOW-FIN CROAKER (Umbrina roncador)]