22 FISHERIES OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF FLORIDA. 



24. Gray Snapper, Neomcenis griseua (Linnaeus). This is the most abundant species 



of snapper found at Key West. A warm-water fish, found most abundantly 

 in shallow water during the summer, retiring to deeper water during the 

 winter. They always run in schools. They reach a length of 3 feet and a 

 weight of 18 pounds, though the usual weight is 5 pounds or less. They 

 spawn in July and August, usually on the shoals. The eggs are not adhesive, 

 but separate from each other at spawning. Sardines and pilchards are the 

 bait used for catching this fish. One of the best fishing-grounds is in Jack 

 Channel, northwest from Key West. 



25. Dog Snapper, Neoma nisjocu (Bloch & Schneider). Not very common. Reaches 



a weight of 20 pounds, the average being very much less. It is found most 

 frequently in the fall and winter. 



26. Schoolmaster, Neomcenis apoda (Walbaum). This fish is rather scarce at Key 



West. The maximum size is said to be 7 or 8 pounds, the average 3 pounds 

 for those, caught on the reef, or oue-third of a pound for those from the "hay." 



27. Mutton-fish or Pargo, Neomcenis analis (Cuvier & Valenciennes). One of the 



abundant and most valued food-fishes of Key West. They occasionally 

 reach a weight of 25 pounds, but 15 to 18 pounds is as large as they usually 

 get ; the average is probably not over 5 pounds. They are found ou rock 

 bottom in 3 to 9 fathoms and are very gamy, taking the hook promptly and 

 and fighting well. Found throughout the year, but scarcest in July and 

 August, which is the spawning season. They school at spawning time. The 

 eggs are nonadhesive and are about the size of a rice grain. 



28. Lane Snapper, Neomcenis synagHs (Linnams). Ahundant about Key West, 



reaching a weight of 4 pounds, the average being about half a pound. The 

 best season for catching this species is during the winter. The spawning 

 time is said to he in October, at which time they gather in schools. 



29. Yellow-tail or Rabirubia, (lei/urns chrysurus (Bloch). Even more abundant 



than the lane snapper, and the principal fish served at the Key West hotels 

 and boarding houses in the fall. Plentiful throughout the year, except during 

 winter, when the cold drives them away. During the warmer weather they 

 are found at depths of 2 fathoms and over; the best depth is 5 fathoms. 

 Generally found around shoals where there is some mud bottom. July is 

 the principal spawning season, when they are found about the reef all the 

 way from Miami to the Tortugas. The yellow-tails are quite gamy. They 

 are caught with sardine bait. They reach a length of 2 feet and a weight 

 of 3 or 4 pounds or more. The average weight of those seen in the Key West 

 market is not over a pound. 



30. Hogfish, Lachnolaimus maximus (Walbaum). One of the common food-fishes, 



reaching a weight of 10 pounds, or an average of about 3 pounds. Found 

 all the year round. 



31. Kingnsh or Cero, Scomberomorus cavalla (Cuvier). This is, next to the grunt, 



the most important of the Key West food-fishes. Its Mesh is firm and of 

 excellent flavor. It usually appears in large numbers from November until 

 April, when it is caught by trolling. The usual weight is about 10 pounds, 

 sometimes reaching 50 pounds. The largest of which there is any record 

 dressed 52 pounds. Examples weighing 40 pounds are not unusual. Said 

 to school at spawning time, which is believed to be late in the winter. 



According to Mr. William H. Abbott, who studied the fisheries in 1891, 

 the average weight of kingiish, as caught by the fishermen of Key West, is 

 about ti pounds. The larger fish, weighing from 15 pounds upward, are never 

 as abundant as those weighing under 15. When the fisherman desires to 

 catch large kingiish, he directs his course to the inshore grounds, lying in 

 about 3 fathoms of water and from U to 3 miles from shore, where the 

 water is muddy; and when small ones are desired, the fishing is done farther 

 offshore along the edge of the Gulf Stream, where the water is much clearer. 



