THE CHANNEL FISHES
The channels among the reefs and keys from Cape Florida to Key West and
vicinity abound with a number of percoid, or perchlike, fishes,
belonging to several families. They are mostly of small size,
comparatively, but afford good bottom fishing. They are all good
food-fishes and find a ready sale in the markets of Key West. Most of
them are remarkable for their gay and brilliant coloration.
The coralline formation of the keys and reefs renders the use of seines
and nets impossible, so that all of the fishing for market is done with
hook and line,--usually with sea-crawfish bait, though a few are taken
in traps formed of heavy wire. The fishes consist of grunts, snappers,
groupers, porgies, etc., and are carried to market alive in the wells of
the small vessels known as "smackees."
A fleet of larger vessels, mostly schooner-rigged, troll along the keys
and reefs for the larger surface-feeding fishes, as kingfish, cero,
Spanish mackerel, bonitos, large groupers and snappers, etc. The troll
is usually a piece of bacon-skin cut of an elliptical shape to simulate
a fish, and is impaled on a codfish hook with a snell of copper wire,
and a laid cotton codfish line of a size nearly as large as a
lead-pencil. The hooking and hauling aboard of the fish, while under
sail, so disables it that it is killed by a blow on the head and carried
to market on ice.
As all of the grunts, snappers, porgies, and other channel fishes grow
only to a foot or two in length, the same tackle may answer for all. The
fishing is done in water of varying depth, from a few feet to twenty or
more, from an anchored boat. The best plan for the angler who is
visiting Key West for the first time is to go out with a market
fisherman in his boat and learn by ocular evidence the _modus operandi_
of channel fishing. After that he will be prepared to follow his own
devices and fish in the same or an improved way.
A stiffish black-bass rod, or the Little Giant rod of seven and one-half
feet and eight ounces, a modification of the Henshall black-bass rod,
are quite suitable, though the market fishermen use hand-lines
altogether. The rest of the tackle needed is a multiplying reel, a
braided linen line, size E or F, Sproat or O'Shaughnessy hooks of
various sizes, from Nos. 1 to 3-0, according to the size of the mouths
of the different fishes, though No. 1-0 will be found to be a good
average size. Sinkers of different weights, from one to six ounces, to
meet the strength of the tide, and a strong landing-net must be added.
The hooks should be tied on single, strong silkworm fibre.
The best bait is the sea-crawfish (_Palinurus_), or spiny lobster, which
grows to the size of the common lobster, and is found in the crevices of
the coral reefs or among the rocks and shells at the bottom, from whence
it is taken by the fish spear called "grains." The flesh is taken from
the shell and cut up for bait, and the shell itself is tied to a line
and sunk near the bottom to attract the fish. Shrimps are also good
bait, as are any of the small fishes, or conchs cut into suitable sizes.
Any of the various crabs can also be utilized. The large conchs
_Strombus_ and _Pyrula_ are good, and a large one will furnish bait for
a whole day.
BAIT FISHES
For the information of anglers who would like to know something of the
small fishes used for bait, their names at least, I think it not out of
place to mention them here. The mullet is one of the fishes most
frequently utilized. There are several species belonging to the family
_Mugilidæ_: the common mullet (_Mugil cephalus_), the white mullet
(_Mugil curema_), both of which are abundant in Florida, especially the
first named. There is a somewhat rare species along the coasts, but
common at Key West, the fan-tail mullet (_Mugil trichodon_). A very
abundant but very small species, and one that makes a capital bait for
fishes with small mouths, is the whirligig mullet (_Querimana gyrans_).
There are several species of sardines belonging to the herring family
(_Clupeidæ_). They may be found in all bays along the coasts, going in
and out of the inlets with the tide. The most common species are the
silver sardine (_Sardinella humeralis_), which has a dark spot at the
base of the pectoral fin, and the striped sardine (Sardinella sardina),
which has faint streaks along the sides.
The anchovies belong to the family _Engraulididæ_, and may be
distinguished by their very wide mouths, which open back to the
gill-cover. The species all look very much alike; the most common ones
are the banded anchovy (_Stolephorus perfasciatus_), with narrow silvery
longitudinal band, and from two to three inches long; the big anchovy
(_Stolephorus brownii_), which is deeper and grows larger, from four to
six inches in length; these two species are mostly confined to the south
and west coasts. Another species, also abundant on the east coast, is
the silver anchovy (_Stolephorus mitchilli_), which is more silvery or
translucent in appearance than the others, with yellowish fins and
dotted body.
There are a number of crabs that are excellent baits, as the hermit crab
(_Eupagurus_), which lives in the cast-off shells of univalve mollusks;
fiddler crab (_Gelasimus_), which abounds in myriads on the inside
shores of the bays; the spider crab (_Libinia_), which is quite common
in shallow water, sometimes covered with bits of weeds, shells, etc.;
the common crab (_Cancer_); the lady crab (_Platyonichus_), beautifully
spotted; the stone crab (_Menippe_), quite a large crab, with very large
claws; the mud crab (_Panopeus_), a small crab and a very good bait.
There are a number of crustaceans, commonly called beach-fleas, that
are good baits for small-mouthed fishes along the Florida coasts, among
which may be mentioned the beach-flea (_Orchestia_); the sand-bug
(_Hippa_); the gribble (_Limnoria_); also the shrimp (_Gammarus_); and
the prawn (_Palæmonetes_).
THE GRUNT FAMILY
(_Hæmulidæ_)
The grunts have an oblong body, more or less elevated and compressed;
head large, its sides usually scaly; mouth low and horizontal, usually
curved; sharp or pointed teeth; dorsal fin single, with a marked angle
at the junction of the spiny and soft portions; the dorsal spines ten or
twelve; anal fin with three spines, the second one the largest; caudal
fin concave. The coloration is bizarre and usually brilliant, with the
lips and inside of the mouth bright red or scarlet. They are all good
pan-fishes, and from their habit of emitting vocal sounds when caught
are called "grunts." They feed on crustaceans, small fishes, and the
innumerable marine invertebrates that inhabit the coral reefs and
coralline rocks.
_Hæmulon plumieri._ The Common Grunt. Body moderately elongate;
the back elevated and somewhat compressed; head long, the sharp
snout projecting; head 2-2/3; depth 2-2/3; eye 5;
D. XII, 16; A. III, 8; scales 5-50-17; anterior profile more or
less S-shaped; the nape gibbous; mouth very large, the gape
curved, maxillary reaching beyond front of eye; lower jaw
slightly included; teeth strong, in broad bands, those of the
outer series enlarged; antrorse teeth of posterior part of both
jaws strong; interorbital space convex; preorbital rather deep;
preopercle finely serrate; scales above lateral line much
enlarged anteriorly.
_Hæmulon sciurus._ The Yellow Grunt. Body oblong, the back not
much elevated; head 2-3/4; depth 2-3/5; eye 4; scales 7-53-14;
D. XII, 16; A. III, 8; interorbital space convex; preopercle
finely serrate; profile nearly straight; snout moderately
acute; mouth large, the gape curved, the maxillary reaching a
little past front of pupil; lower jaw slightly included; teeth
strong; upper jaw in front with about 3 strong canines on each
side; front teeth of lower jaw rather strong; blue stripes on
body.
_Hæmulon album._ The Margate-fish. Body comparatively deep, the
back much elevated and compressed; the anterior profile steep;
head 3; depth 2-2/3; eye 6; scales 7-46-16; D. XII, 16; A. III,
7; snout pointed; mouth large, the maxillary extending to front
of eye; lower jaw included; teeth not very large, in narrow
bands; interorbital space strongly convex; preorbital deep;
preopercle finely serrate; soft part of anal and dorsal fins
covered with thin, translucent scales.
_Hæmulon parra._ The Sailor's Choice. Body comparatively deep,
the back compressed and arched; anterior profile rather steep
and convex; head 3; depth 2-2/3; eye 4; scales 5-50-14; D. XII,
17; A. III, 7; mouth rather small, the maxillary extending to
front of eye; teeth in bands, rather strong, the outer large,
antrorse teeth of lower jaw well developed; preopercle finely
serrate; lower jaw slightly included; interorbital space
convex; preorbital rather deep.
_Orthopristis chrysopterus._ The Pig-fish. Body
ovate-elliptical, somewhat elevated at shoulders, considerably
compressed; head 3-1/8; depth 2-3/4; eye 5; scales 10-60-19; D.
XII, 16; A. III, 12; snout long and sharp; jaws equal, each
with a narrow band of slender teeth, the outer above a little
larger; mouth small, the maxillary not reaching to eye;
preopercle very slightly serrate above; snout and lower jaw
naked, rest of head scaly; dorsal and anal spines enclosed
in a deep, scaly sheath; soft rays naked.
Anisotremus virginicus. The Pork-fish. Body ovate, the back
very much elevated; the anterior profile steep; very much
arched at nape; head 3-1/8; depth 2-1/10; eye 4; scales
11-56-17; D. XII, 17; A. III, 10; mouth small, the maxillary
extending to anterior nostril; jaws subequal; outer row of
teeth enlarged; about 6 gill-rakers.
[Illustration THE BLACK GRUNT]
[_Hæmulon plumieri_]
[Illustration THE RED SNAPPER]
[_Lutianus aya_]
THE BLACK GRUNT
(_Hæmulon plumieri_)
The black or common grunt is the most abundant and one of the most
popular food-fishes in the vicinity of Key West. It was named by
Lacépéde, in 1802, in honor of Father Plumier, an early naturalist, who
sent drawings of the fishes of Martinique to the museums of Europe. It
belongs to the West Indian fauna, and is abundant near Key West, and not
uncommon about the rocks and reefs at the lower end of Tampa Bay and
other rocky localities on the Gulf coast of Florida. On the Atlantic
coast it is found as far north as Cape Hatteras.
The depth of the body is a little more than a third of its length,
compressed, with elevated shoulder. The head is as long as the depth of
the body, with a large, curved mouth and a pointed and projecting snout.
The profile is concave in front of the eye. The jaws are armed with
bands of strong and conical teeth, the outer ones largest and the rear
ones curving forward. Its color is bluish gray, with the bases of the
scales bronze, tinged with olive, forming oblique stripes running upward
and backward. The head is golden bronze, with many bright blue stripes,
very distinct, a few of which extend to the shoulder. The inside of the
mouth is scarlet, becoming lighter, or yellowish, on the jaws. The
dorsal fin is grayish, with a yellow border on the spinous portion; the
anal fin is gray tinged with yellow; the ventral fins are bluish gray;
the pectoral fins are gray with a dusky bar at the base; the caudal fin
is plain gray.
The common grunt grows usually to a foot in length, though more are
caught under that size than over. It is often called "sow grunt" by the
market fishermen, in contradistinction to the "boar grunt," as the
yellow grunt is often designated by them, wrongly supposing one to be
the male and the other the female. While the general remarks on its
feeding habits, as given in the paragraph relating to the family
characteristics of the grunts, are correct, it may be stated that they
are essentially carnivorous, devouring small fishes, crustaceans, and
other marine invertebrates that abound on the coralline reefs. They
spawn late in the summer, on the rocky shoals and hard, sandy bars,
congregating at such times in large schools. As a food-fish it is held
in greater esteem than any other fish in the Key West market, and
selling from a nickel to a dime for a bunch of about half a dozen, it
forms the staple breakfast dish of all Key Westers, who are inordinately
fond of it.
While assistant chief of the fisheries department of the World's
Columbian Exposition at Chicago, in 1893, I had among other visitors a
young lady friend from Key West, who never before had been away from her
island home, having been educated at the convent of Key West. She could
not find words to express her delight at scenes so entirely new and
novel, and said that some things gave her a better idea of heaven; but
there was one thing, she said, that was lacking amidst all the wonders
and delights from the four quarters of the globe, and without which
everything else paled into insignificance,--"fried grunts for
breakfast." I made her happy by escorting her to the Aquarium and
showing her the live grunts swimming in a tank, seemingly as much at
home as on the coral reefs of Florida. The methods of angling, and the
tackle and baits used for grunts, are given in the opening paragraphs of
this chapter, to which the reader is referred.
THE YELLOW GRUNT
(_Hæmulon sciurus_)
The yellow grunt was first noticed by Bloch, in 1790, from the West
Indies; but owing to a mistake as to its proper identification it was
named _sciurus_, meaning "squirrel," by Shaw, in 1803, based on Bloch's
description and figure. The name squirrel is in allusion to the grunting
noise it emits when captured, which is compared to the barking of that
animal. It is abundant in the West Indies and south to Brazil, and is
quite common about Key West.
The yellow grunt is very similar to the common grunt in the conformation
of its body and fins, but has a rather curved profile instead of a
depression in front of the eye. The teeth are similar, with about three
strong canines on each side. The scales on the upper part of the body
are relatively smaller than in the black grunt. Its color is uniformly
brassy yellow, with about a dozen longitudinal and distinct stripes of
sky-blue, somewhat wavy, extending from the snout to the anal fin; the
fins are yellowish; the inside of the mouth is scarlet. It grows to
about a foot in length, but occasionally to eighteen inches. It is the
handsomest in coloration and appearance of all the grunts, and is often
called "boar grunt" by the Key West fishermen. A black-bass bait rod,
braided linen line, snelled hooks No. 1-0, with sinker adapted to the
depth and current of the water, and sea-crawfish, shrimps, prawns, or
cut-fish bait, will be found quite applicable for grunt fishing.
Although the yellow grunt was known to science from the West Indies as
early as 1790, it was not recorded from the waters of the United States
until a century later, when in 1881 I collected it at Key West. This is
the more remarkable inasmuch as it is rather common along the keys, and
is moreover such a striking, well-marked, and handsome species that it
is difficult to imagine how it had been overlooked. The field has,
however, been pretty well worked since, and many new species have been
recorded.
The Florida Keys, like the southern portion of the peninsula, are of
recent formation, and are underlaid by oolitic and coral limestones.
These coralline rocks are formed by the action of the waves and weather
on the calcareous secretions of coral polyps, those beautiful "flowers
of the sea" which are still building better than they know on the
outlying submerged reefs, and where may be seen those tiny "toilers of
the sea," madrepores, astreans, mæandrinas, porites, gorgonias, etc.,
rivalling in beauty of form and color the most charming and delicate
ferns, fungi, mosses, and shrubs.
The fishes that frequent the coral reefs are very handsome, both in form
and coloration: silvery, rosy, scarlet, brown, and golden bodies, with
sky-blue, bright yellow, rosy, or black stripes and bands, or spotted,
stellated, and mottled with all the hues of the rainbow; and with
jewelled eyes of scarlet, blue, yellow, or black; fins of all colors and
shapes, and lips of scarlet red, blue, or silver.
THE MARGATE-FISH
(_Hæmulon album_)
The margate-fish, or margate grunt, is the largest of the family,
growing to two feet or more in length and eight or ten pounds in weight,
though usually it weighs from two to six pounds as taken to market. It
was noticed by Catesby in his "History of the Carolinas," in 1742, and
was wrongly identified from his description by Walbaum in 1792. It
received its present name from Cuvier and Valenciennes, in 1830, from
West Indian specimens; they called it _album_, meaning "white," as it is
the lightest in coloration of any of the grunts. It is much esteemed as
a food-fish at Key West. It is abundant from Key West to Brazil, being
quite common about the Florida Keys, especially in the immediate
vicinity of Key West, being usually found in deep water, except when it
approaches the shallows to feed on crustaceans, etc. It is rather a
warm-water fish.
The margate-fish is of much the same proportions, and of similar
appearance, as the yellow grunt, but with a more elevated and arching
back, and is more compressed. The teeth are in narrow bands, and are
somewhat smaller than in the other grunts. The adult fish is whitish,
olivaceous on the back, with faint spots on the scales of back and
sides. The inside of the mouth is orange; the lips and snout yellowish;
the fins dusky greenish; a broad but indistinct band extends along the
sides. Younger fish are bluish in coloration of body and fins, with dark
parallel stripes below.
Somewhat larger hooks, say No. 2-0, and a little heavier line, braided
linen, size F, are more suitable for this fish; otherwise the same
tackle and baits can be employed as for the other grunts and channel
fishes.
THE SAILOR'S CHOICE
(_Hæmulon parra_)
This grunt is sometimes called bastard margaret by the Key West
fisherman. The name sailor's choice is often wrongly applied to the
pinfish (_Lagodon rhomboides_) and the pig-fish (_Orthopristis
chrysopterus_) The sailor's choice was first described by Desmarest, in
1823, from Havana; he named it _parra_ in honor of the Cuban naturalist,
Parra. It is a good pan-fish, eight or ten inches long, usually, but
sometimes growing to a foot in length. It is abundant from Key West to
Brazil. I have taken it from the line of keys south-west of Cape Florida,
and along the mainland from Biscayne Bay to Marco and Lemon Bay on the
Gulf coast.
Its body is of about the same proportions, and of the same general
appearance, as that of the yellow grunt, and it grows to about the same
size. The radial formula of its fins and size of scales are also much
the same. The mouth is smaller, but the teeth are of about the same
character. Its color is dull pearly gray, belly grayish, each scale of
the body with a distinct olive-brown spot, forming interrupted, oblique,
and wavy streaks; fins dusky. The inside of the mouth is not so red as
in the other grunts. There is a distinct black spot on the lower edge of
the cheek-bone.
THE GRAY GRUNT AND FRENCH GRUNT
The gray grunt (_Hæmulon macrostomum_) and the French grunt (_Hæmulon
flavolineatum_) are not so common about the Florida Keys as the other
grunts, but grow to about the same size, and are often taken with them,
and with the same baits and the same mode of fishing.
THE PIG-FISH
(_Orthopristis chrysopterus_)
Another pan-fish belonging to the grunt family and common to the waters
of Florida, and one much esteemed as a food-fish, is the pig-fish. It is
known as hog-fish in Chesapeake Bay, and sailor's choice on the South
Atlantic coast. It was described by Linnæus, in 1766, from South
Carolina. He named it _chrysopterus_, or "gold fin." Its range extends
from the Chesapeake Bay along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts to Florida
and Texas, and occasionally it strays as far north as Long Island.
It resembles the grunts very much in its general appearance. Its body is
rather more than a third of its length, elevated at the shoulder, and
compressed. Its head is a third of the length of the body, with a long,
sharp snout and a small mouth placed low. There is a narrow band of
slender teeth in each jaw, the outer ones in the upper jaw somewhat
larger. The color of the pig-fish is light blue above, shading gradually
to silvery below; the upper lip is marked with blue; the body scales
have a blue centre, the edges with a bronze spot, forming very distinct
orange-brown stripes along the rows of scales on the back and sides,
those above the lateral line extending obliquely upward and backward,
those below being nearly horizontal; the snout, cheeks, and gill-covers
have distinct bronze spots, larger than those of the body; the inside of
the mouth is pale, the back of the mouth somewhat golden in hue; the
dorsal fin is translucent, with bronze spots or shades, the edge of the
fin dusky; the other fins are more or less dusky, with yellowish
shades.
Along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts it resorts to sandy shoals in rather
shallow water, but along the Florida Keys it is found also about rocky
bars, and on the Gulf coast is often on grassy flats, or wherever crabs,
shrimp, beach-fleas, and other crustaceans abound, on which it feeds,
principally, though it is also fond of the young fry of other fishes. It
is an excellent pan-fish, of delicious flavor, and is a favorite
wherever its merits are known. It grows to a length of ten inches,
sometimes to twelve or fifteen inches in favorable localities, but in
Florida is mostly from six to eight inches in length. It spawns in the
spring in April and May.
It is much sought after in Chesapeake Bay, and is a favorite food-fish
at Norfolk, Virginia, where it is known as hog-fish. It grows there
somewhat larger, and is also a favorite fish with anglers. The lightest
tackle must be employed for its capture, and hooks Nos. 2 to 3, on gut
snells, for it has a small mouth. Sea-crawfish, crab, shrimp,
beach-fleas, and other crustaceans are the best baits, though cut conch
and fish will answer pretty well. It is a bottom feeder, and sinkers
must be used to keep the bait near the fish.
THE PORK-FISH
(_Anisotremus virginicus_)
Another pan-fish of the grunt family (_Hæmulidæ_) is the pork-fish, a
handsome and beautifully-marked species. It was named by Linnæus, in
1758, from South America, though why he called it _virginicus_,
"Virginia," is not known. It is a tropical fish, its range extending
from the Florida Keys to Brazil. It is very abundant in the vicinity of
Key West, and is seen in the markets daily.
It has a short, compressed body, its depth being half of its length,
with the back very much elevated. Its head is short compared with its
height, with a very steep profile, slightly convex in front and very
much arched at the nape. The mouth is quite small, with thick lips; the
jaws are armed with bands of sharp, pointed teeth, the outer row
enlarged. The ground color of the body is pearly gray; an oblique black
bar, as wide as the eye, extends from the nape through the eye to the
angle of the mouth; another broader and jet-black vertical bar extends
from the front of the dorsal fin to the base of the pectoral fin; the
interspace between the bars is pearly gray, with yellow spots, becoming
confluent above; beginning at the vertical bar and extending backward
are half a dozen deep yellow, longitudinal, and parallel stripes, the
lower ones reaching the caudal fin; all of the fins are deep yellow.
The pork-fish resorts to the reefs and coralline rocks, feeding on
crustaceans, small marine invertebrates, and small, soft-shelled
mollusks, which it crushes with the blunt teeth in its throat. Its usual
size runs from half a pound to a pound, but occasionally grows to two
pounds. It should be fished for with very light tackle, about the same
as used for the pig-fish, but with smaller hooks. No. 5 or 6, on gut
snells, and cut-conch bait, small shrimps, and beach-fleas.
The pork-fish has been known from the time of Marcgrave, over two
centuries ago, from Brazil, and from the West Indies for many years, but
was not recorded from the waters of the United States until 1881, when I
collected it near Key West. As in the case of the yellow grunt and the
lane snapper, it is surprising that such long-described and well-marked
and beautiful species should have been overlooked in our own waters
until my collection of that year.
THE SNAPPER FAMILY
(_Lutianidæ_)
This family of perchlike fishes is related to the grunts on one hand,
and to the groupers, or sea-basses, on the other. Those to be described
here are mostly of small or moderate size, but are all good food-fishes
and fair game-fishes. They are abundant along the Florida Keys, and with
the exception of the red snapper are caught in a similar manner, and
with the same tackle and baits, as the grunts. They are characterized by
an oblong body more or less elevated and compressed; rough scales, large
head and mouth; teeth sharp and unequal; dorsal fin single, with ten or
twelve spines; anal fin similar in shape to soft dorsal fin, with three
spines; the caudal fin concave.
_Ocyurus chrysurus._ The Yellow-tail. The yellow-tail differs
from the other snappers in the formation of the skull, the
peculiar form of its body, the large, deeply-forked caudal fin,
and the presence of pterygoid teeth. Its body is elliptical,
with regularly-arched back; head 3; depth 3; scales 7-65-15; D.
X, 13; A. III, 9; mouth small, oblique, the lower jaw
projecting, maxillary reaching front of orbit; snout pointed;
caudal peduncle long and slender; eye small, 5; interorbital
space very convex, with median keel; upper jaw with a narrow
band of villiform teeth, outside of which is a single series of
larger teeth, several in front being caninelike; a large, oval
patch of teeth on tongue; an arrow-shaped patch on the vomer;
a narrow band of pterygoid teeth in the adult; gill-rakers long
and slender, 8 + 21.
_Lutianus synagris._ The Lane Snapper. Body oblong and
compressed, back arched and slightly elevated; profile almost
straight; head 2-3/5; depth 2-4/5; eye 5; scales 8-60-15; D. X,
12; A. III, 8; mouth moderate, maxillary reaching front of
orbit; interorbital space gently convex; upper jaw with a
narrow band of villiform teeth, outside of which a single
series of enlarged ones; lower jaw with villiform band in front
only, the row of larger teeth nearly equal in size, none of
them canines; vomer and tongue with each a single patch;
preopercle finely serrate, with coarser teeth at angle;
gill-rakers rather long, 5 + 9; 4 small canines in front of
upper jaw.
_Lutianus aya._ The Red Snapper. Body rather deep, moderately
compressed, the back well elevated, profile steep; head 2-3/5;
depth 2-3/5; eye 5-1/2; scales 8-60-15; mouth rather large,
maxillary reaching front of orbit; snout rather pointed;
interorbital space strongly convex; upper jaw with a narrow
band of villiform teeth, and a row of small teeth outside;
lower jaw with a single row of small teeth, some of which are
almost caninelike; within these is a very narrow band of
villiform teeth in front of jaw only; tongue with a broad oval
patch of teeth, in front of which a small, irregular patch;
vomer with a broad, arrow-shaped patch; preopercle with
serrated edge above, lower border dentate; gill-rakers
moderate, 8 on lower arch; 4 canines in front of upper jaw.
_Lutianus jocu._ The Dog Snapper. Body comparatively deep and
compressed; the back elevated and profile straight; head 2-1/2;
depth 2-1/2; eye 4-3/4; scales 8-56-15; D. X, 14; A. III, 8;
mouth rather large, jaws subequal, maxillary reaching front of
orbit; upper jaw with a narrow band of villiform teeth, a
single series of larger ones, and 4 canines in front, 2 of them
very large; lower jaw with a narrow, villiform band in front
only, and a series of larger teeth outside, some almost
caninelike; tongue with a single patch of teeth; an
arrow-shaped patch on vomer; preopercle finely serrate above,
coarser teeth at angle; gill-rakers short and thick, about 9 on
lower arch.
_Lutianus apodus._ The Schoolmaster Snapper. Body comparatively
deep, moderately compressed, the back elevated and profile
straight; head 2-1/2; depth 2-1/2; eye 4-1/3; scales 6-43-13;
D. X, 14; A. III, 8; mouth large, maxillary reaching front of
orbit; snout long and pointed; interorbital space flattish;
upper jaw with a narrow band of villiform teeth, a single
series of larger ones outside, and 4 canines in front, one on
each side very large; lower jaw with a narrow, villiform band
in front, an enlarged series outside; tongue with a large,
single patch; an arrow-shaped patch on vomer; preopercle finely
serrate above; gill-rakers short and thick, about 9 on lower
part of arch.
THE YELLOW-TAIL
(_Ocyurus chrysurus_)
The yellow-tail is a very handsome fish, and one of the favorite
pan-fishes at Key West. It was named _chrysurus_, or "gold-tail," by
Bloch, in 1790, from its description by Marcgrave in his "Fishes of
Brazil." Its habitat is from southern Florida to South America. It is
abundant in the vicinity of Key West in the channels between the reefs
and keys.
The yellow-tail is well proportioned, compressed, and elliptical, being
regularly curved from head to tail. Its head is as long as the depth of
the body, with a pointed snout; the mouth is rather small, with the
lower jaw projecting. The color above is olivaceous, or bluish, below
violet; a broad, deep yellow stripe runs from the snout, through the
eye, and along the middle of the body to the caudal fin; above this
stripe there are a number of deep yellow blotches, as if made by the
finger tips; below the broad yellow stripe are quite a number of narrow,
parallel yellow stripes, with violet interspaces; the iris of the eye is
scarlet; the very long caudal fin is entirely deep yellow, and the other
fins are bordered with yellow.
The yellow-tail associates with the grunts and porgies about the
coralline rocks in the channels, feeding on small fishes and
crustaceans. Its average size is ten or twelve inches in length and
nearly a pound in weight, though it sometimes is taken up to two feet,
and three or four pounds. It is quite a good game-fish and very
voracious, eagerly taking sea-crawfish, crab, conch, or small fish bait.
Some of the large conchs, as _Pyrula_ and _Strombus_, will furnish bait
for an entire outing, the animal being as large as a child's forearm.
Black-bass tackle, with hooks Nos. 1 to 1-0 on gut snells, will answer
for the yellow-tail.
THE LANE SNAPPER
(_Lutianus synagris_)
The lane snapper is another beautiful fish common about the reefs and
keys. It was named by Linnæus, in 1758, who called it _synagris_, as it
resembled a related fish of Europe (_Dentex dentex_), whose old name was
_synagris_. Catesby mentioned the lane snapper in his "History of
Carolina," in 1743. It is abundant from the Florida Keys to South
America, and not uncommon on the west coast of Florida, as far north as
Tampa Bay, and west to Pensacola.
The lane snapper resembles very much the yellow-tail in the shape of its
body, which is semi-elliptical in outline, compressed, with the back
regularly curved from the snout to the tail; its depth is a little more
than a third of its length. Its head is as long as the depth of the
body; the mouth is large, and the snout pointed. It is rose color,
tinged with silver below, with a narrow bluish or greenish border on the
top of the back; the belly is white, tinged with yellow; there are deep
yellow stripes along the sides, with indistinct, broad, rosy cross bars;
the iris of the eye and the lips are scarlet; the cheeks and gill-covers
are rosy, with blue above; the pectoral fins are pink, the lower fins
yellow, the soft dorsal pink, the spiny dorsal translucent, with yellow
border, and the caudal fin scarlet; there is a large and conspicuous
dark blotch just below the front part of the soft dorsal fin. The lane
snapper feeds on small fishes and crustaceans about the keys and reefs,
in rather shallow water. It grows to a foot in length, though usually
about eight or nine inches, and is a free biter at the same baits as the
yellow-tail.
While it is freely conceded that the highest branch of angling is
casting the artificial fly on inland waters, and that the fullest
measure of enjoyment is found only in the pursuit of the salmon,
black-bass, trout, or grayling, it must be admitted that salt-water
angling likewise has joys and pleasures that are, as Walton says,
"Worthy the knowledge and practice of a wise man." And nowhere does
salt-water angling offer more charms to the appreciative angler, or
appeal to his sense of the curious and beautiful in nature, than along
the keys off the southern extremity of the peninsula of Florida. The
palm-crowned islets are laved by the waters of the Gulf Stream, as clear
and bright and green as an emerald of the purest ray serene. Through
their limpid depths are seen the lovely and varied tints of coral
polyps, the graceful fronds of sea-feathers and sea-fans in gorgeous
hues, and the curious and fantastic coralline caves, amid whose
crannies and arches swim the most beautiful creations of the finny
tribe, whose capture is at once a joy and a delight.
THE RED SNAPPER
(_Lutianus aya_)
The red snapper was named _aya_ by Bloch, in 1790, that being the
Portuguese name for it in Brazil, according to Marcgrave. It was
described by Goode and Bean as a new species, in 1878, and named
_blackfordi_, in honor of Eugene G. Blackford, of New York, in
consideration of his eminent services and interest in fishculture. The
red snapper, while not a game-fish, is one of the best known of Florida
fishes, inasmuch as it is shipped all over the country as a good dinner
fish, its fine, firm flesh bearing transportation well. It is especially
abundant in the Gulf of Mexico, in water from ten to fifty fathoms deep,
on the "snapper banks," from ten to fifty miles offshore, and thence
south to Brazil, occasionally straying north on the Atlantic coast to
Long Island.
The depth of its body is a little more than a third of its length, being
rather deep and compressed, the back elevated and regularly arched from
the eye to the tail. The head is large, its length equal to the depth
of the body, with a pointed snout, large mouth, and straight profile.
The color of the red snapper is a uniform rose-red, paler on the throat;
fins all red, the vertical fins bordered with dusky blue; there is a
dark blotch under the front of the soft portion of the dorsal fin,
except in the oldest and largest fish; the iris of the eye is scarlet.
The red snapper, being a deep-water fish, is seldom found along the
shores, and is of no importance to the angler. It is a bottom fish,
feeding in company with the large groupers on small fishes and
crustaceans. It grows to twenty or thirty pounds, but its usual size is
from five to ten pounds. It spawns in summer.
The commercial fishing for the red snapper is done on the "snapper
banks" in very deep water. Strong hand-lines and codfish hooks are used,
with cut bait. By the time the fish is brought to the surface from the
bottom it is almost exhausted, and would afford no sport to the angler.
The bringing of the fish from depths where the pressure of the water is
so great, to the surface, where it is comparatively so much less, causes
the fish to swell up, and the air-bladder to be so filled that the fish
would float; it is therefore pricked with a sharp awl to let out the
air, as otherwise the fish would not sink in the well of the vessel in
which it is carried alive to port.
THE DOG SNAPPER
(_Lutianus jocu_)
The dog snapper is very similar in shape to the red snapper, but is much
smaller and of different coloration. It was named _jocu_ by Bloch, in
1801, from Parra's description, in 1787, _jocu_ being the Cuban name of
the fish. It is called dog snapper, owing to its large canine teeth. Its
range extends from the South Atlantic coast to Brazil. It is abundant
along the Florida Keys, and very rarely strays along the Atlantic coast
northward, but has been taken on the Massachusetts coast in summer.
It has a robust, somewhat compressed body, its depth a third of its
length, and the back elevated over the shoulder. Its head is large,
somewhat longer than the depth of the body, with a straight profile and
a rather long and pointed snout. The ground color of the body is dull
red or coppery, dark olivaceous or bluish on the back, with about a
dozen lighter-colored vertical stripes across the body; the cheeks and
gill-covers are red, with a pale area from the eye to the angle of the
mouth; there is a row of small, round blue spots from the snout to the
angle of the gill-cover, also a bluish or dusky stripe; the upper fins
and the caudal fin are mostly orange in color; the lower fins are
yellow, and the iris of the eye red.
The dog snapper, like the other snappers, feeds on small fishes and
crustaceans. It grows to a foot in length and to a pound or two in
weight. It is a good food-fish, selling readily in the markets. It is
quite gamy and voracious, and with light tackle is worthy of the
angler's skill. Hooks No. 1-0 or 2-0 on gut snells, and sea-crawfish, or
a small minnow, are good baits.
THE SCHOOLMASTER
(_Lutianus apodus_)
The schoolmaster snapper was named by Walbaum, in 1792, based on
Catesby's description and figure of the schoolmaster in his "History of
Carolina," but in his figure he omitted the pectoral fins, for which
reason Walbaum named it _apoda_, meaning "without a foot." Its range
extends from the Florida Keys to Brazil, and is abundant in the vicinity
of Key West, where it is seen daily in the markets. Under favorable
conditions of temperature it has been taken on the Massachusetts coast.
The schoolmaster is very similar to the dog snapper in its general form,
but differs greatly in coloration. Its body is rather deep and
compressed, its depth being more than a third of its length, and the
back is more elevated than in the dog snapper. The head is large, as
long as the depth of the body, with a large mouth; the profile is
straight from snout to the nape, thence regularly arched to the tail;
the snout is long and pointed. The predominating color is orange,
olivaceous on the back and top of the head, with eight or nine vertical
bars across the body, equidistant, of a pale or bluish white color, the
wider interspaces being red; the cheeks and gill-covers are red, with a
row of small blue spots from the snout across the cheeks, just below the
eye; all of the fins are yellow, more or less shaded with red.
The schoolmaster grows to about the same size as the dog snapper,
usually from eight to ten inches, sometimes to a foot in length, and a
pound or two in weight. It feeds on small fishes, crabs, and other
crustaceans, and is a good food-fish. It is a fairly good game-fish,
and on light tackle fights with vigor and considerable resistance.
Sproat hooks Nos. 1-0 and 2-0 are quite suitable, and should be tied on
gut snells. A sinker adapted to the strength of the tide must be used in
the deep-water channels. Sea-crawfish, anchovies, or whirligig mullets
are good baits.
The mangrove snapper (_Lutianus griseus_) and the mutton-fish (_Lutianus
analis_) are larger snappers and better game-fishes. They are described
in another volume of this series.
THE PORGY FAMILY
(_Sparidæ_)
The porgies of Florida belong to the family _Sparidæ_ previously
described, but not to the same genus as the northern porgy, as the scup
is sometimes called. They are characterized by a deep, compressed body,
humpbacked, with a large head and deep snout, and with a knob in front
of the eye. The mouth is small, with strong, caninelike teeth and
molars.
_Calamus bajonado._ The Jolt-head Porgy. Body oblong,
compressed and elevated over the shoulders; head 3; depth
2-2/5; eye 3; scales 7-54-17; D. XII, 12; A. III, 10; anterior
profile evenly curved; mouth moderate, maxillary not reaching
front of eye; snout long and pointed; teeth strong, conical; anterior
teeth enlarged, 2 or 3 on each side in the upper jaw, and 3 or
4 on each side in the lower; molars in 3 series in the upper,
and 2 in the lower jaw; dorsal fin single with slender spines.
_Calamus calamus._ The Saucer-eye Porgy. Body oblong, elevated
more than the other porgies; head 3-1/3; depth 2; eye 3-3/4;
scales 9-54-16; D. XII, 12; A. III, 10; anterior profile steep;
outline of snout slightly curved; mouth small, maxillary not
reaching front of eye; outer teeth strong, 10 or 12 in number,
the outer one in each jaw, on each side, caninelike; dorsal
spines rather strong.
_Calamus proridens._ The Little-head Porgy. Body oblong and
much elevated; head 3-1/4; depth 2-1/3; eye 4; scales 9-58-16;
D. XII, 12; A. III, 10; anterior profile steep and straight;
mouth moderate, maxillary scarcely reaching front of eye;
anterior teeth of outer series slightly longer and more robust
than those of the cardiform band; on each side of the upper jaw
one of these teeth becomes much enlarged, caninelike, directed
obliquely forward and downward, and strongly curved, the upper
surface concave; there are usually 7 teeth of the outer series
between these two canines; no evident accessory series of
molars; dorsal spines slender and high.
_Calamus arctifrons._ The Grass Porgy. Body oblong, but little
elevated; head 3-1/4; depth 2-2/5; eye 4-1/2; scales 6-48-13;
D. XII, 12; A. III, 10; anterior profile unevenly curved, very
convex before the eye; head narrow above; dorsal outline not
forming a regular arch; a rather sharp angle at nape;
preorbital deep; canine teeth, 8 in upper jaw and 10 in lower.
THE JOLT-HEAD PORGY
(_Calamus bajonado_)
This is the largest and most abundant of the porgies. It was described
by Bloch, in 1801, who named it _bajonado_, after the Cuban name given
by Parra in his "Natural History of Cuba."
[Illustration THE JOLT-HEAD PORGY]
[_Calamus bajonado_]
[Illustration THE LADY-FISH]
[_Albula vulpes_]
[Illustration THE COBIA]
[_Rachycentron canadus_]
It is not certain what the name is intended to signify. It may allude to
the "bayonet-like," interhæmal bones, or to _bajio_, meaning a
"sandbank" or "shoal," in allusion to its habitat. The jolt-head is
abundant along the Florida Keys, especially in the vicinity of Key West,
where it is one of the commonest market fishes; its range extends to the
West Indies.
It has a short, deep body, compressed, its depth being half its length;
its back is more regularly arched than in the other porgies, or not so
humpbacked. The head is large, with a long, pointed snout, and mouth
moderate in size; the profile is more regularly curved than in the other
porgies.
The predominating color is dusky or bluish, with brassy reflections; the
upper fins are pale or bluish, more or less mottled with darker shades;
the lower fins are plain; the cheeks are coppery in hue.
The jolt-head resorts to the rocks and reefs, as well as to hard, sandy
shoals, feeding on small fishes, crustaceans, and soft-shelled mollusks.
It grows usually to eight or ten inches, but often to two feet in
length, and six or eight pounds in weight. It is a good food-fish, much
in favor with the people of Key West, and is always one of the
commonest fishes in the markets. It spawns in the summer. It is very
voracious, taking almost any kind of bait greedily. It is caught in
company with the grunts and snappers, and on the same tackle, which
should be light. Hooks Nos. 1 to 2 are large enough, Sproat-bend
preferred on account of its short barb with cutting edges and strong
wire. Sinkers adapted to the tide and depth of water must be used.
While catching porgies at a lively rate one day I asked my boatman, a
Bahama negro, why the big porgy was called "jolt-head." He answered in
the cockney dialect peculiar to Bahama fishermen: "Vell, you see, sir,
'e 'as a big 'ed and an 'ump back, and 'e butts the rocks like a
billy-goat, a-joltin' off the snail-shells and shrimps, and 'e goes
a-blunderin' along like a wessel that 'as a bluff bow and a small 'elm.
'E 'as more happetite than gumption, and swallers anythink that comes
'andy, like the jolt-'ed or numbskull that 'e is. 'E is werry heasy to
ketch and werry good to heat."
THE SAUCER-EYE PORGY
(_Calamus calamus_)
This porgy is called "saucer-eye," owing to its having a larger eye than
the other porgies. It was first described by Cuvier and Valenciennes,
in 1830, from the West Indies. They named it _calamus_, meaning
"quill" or "reed," from the quill-like bones (interhæmal) that articulate
with the spines of the anal fin. It is abundant in the West Indies, and
is common about the Florida Keys, but not so plentiful as the
jolt-head or little-head porgies.
[Illustration TAKING BONITO BY TROLLING OFF BLOCK ISLAND]
It is very similar in conformation to the jolt-head, but is more
humpbacked, being quite elevated above the shoulder. The body is short,
its depth about half its length. Its head is short and deep, with a thin
and gibbous profile, and small mouth. Its color is silvery with bluish
reflections; the scales golden, forming longitudinal stripes, with
pearly-bluish interspaces; the cheeks and snout are purplish, with round
brassy spots; the fins are pale, blotched with orange; the iris of the
eye is golden.
The saucer-eye grows to twelve or fifteen inches in length, and is
considered a good pan-fish at Key West, commanding a ready sale. It is
found in the same situations as the other porgies, grunts, and snappers,
and is equally voracious, taking the proffered bait eagerly. The tackle
for this porgy is the same as for the others, consisting of a light
rod, multiplying reel, braided linen line, size F or G, three-foot
leader, Sproat-bend hooks. No. 1 or 2, on gut snells, with sinker in
accordance with the depth of the water and the strength of the tide.
Almost any bait will answer, as sea-crawfish, cut conch, or fish.
THE LITTLE-HEAD PORGY
(_Calamus proridens_)
This species was first described by Jordan and Gilbert, in 1883, from
Key West. They named it _proridens_, meaning "prow tooth," owing to its
projecting canines. It is abundant in the West Indies, and is quite
common about Key West and the neighboring keys. It is one of the
smallest and prettiest of the porgies, and is called little-head in
contradistinction to the jolt-head or big-head porgy. It is almost
identical in shape to the saucer-eye porgy, both in head and body.
It is brighter in color than the other porgies, being quite silvery with
iridescent reflections; the scales of the upper part of the body have
violet spots, forming longitudinal streaks; those on the lower part have
pale orange spots; the sides have several dark bands; the snout and
cheeks have horizontal, wavy stripes of violet-blue; the dorsal fin is
violet, with orange border; the anal fin is blue; the caudal fin has an
orange band. It is of similar habits to the other porgies, and found
with them, but is less common. It is a good pan-fish, growing only to
six or eight inches in length.
The little-head porgy, though small in size, is equally as voracious as
the other porgies, and is well worth catching if only to admire its
beauty. The same tackle will answer as for the others, or more
especially that mentioned for the saucer-eye, and the same baits can be
employed.
My Bahama negro boatman, alluded to under the jolt-head, continued his
dissertation on the porgies somewhat in this wise: "Now, sir, the
little-'ed porgy is a cute little chap; 'e gits to vind'ard o' the
big-'ed, hevry time. 'E doesn't butt 'is 'ed aginst the rocks,
a-knockin' the shells, but 'e 'as two long teeth like gouge-chisels, and
'e jist scoops hoff the crawlin' things from the rock-patches as
'andsome as you like. Little-'ed little wit; big-'ed not a bit!"
THE GRASS PORGY
(_Calamus arctifrons_)
This pretty porgy was first described by Goode and Bean, in 1882, from
Pensacola, Florida. They named it _arctifrons_, meaning "contracted
forehead," owing to the narrow forehead. It has a more extended range in
the Gulf of Mexico than the other porgies, being common in grassy
situations from Pensacola to Key West; it is not known from the West
Indies.
The general outline of the grass porgy is very similar to that of the
saucer-eye and little-head porgies, though the back is not quite so
elevated; the profile is unevenly curved, being quite convex in front of
the eye. The mouth is slightly larger than in the saucer-eye. Its color
is olivaceous, with dark spots, and several dark vertical bars across
the body; many of the scales have pearly spots; there are several yellow
spots along the lateral line; the cheeks are brownish, with yellow
shades; the upper fins are barred or spotted; the lower fins are paler.
It is the smallest of the porgies, but one of the prettiest. It grows to
six or eight inches in length. It is mentioned incidentally with the
others of its family in order that it may be known to anglers who are so
fortunate as to catch it and admire it. The same tackle and bait
employed for the others are suitable. It is found usually in grassy
situations.