46 FISHERIES OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF FLORIDA. 



The question of bait, which in the line fisheries of many places is 

 a very serious one, seldom causes any concern to the Key West fisher- 

 men. Suitable bait in almost limitless abundance is easily and con- 

 veniently obtained. The principal bait products are the rock lobster 

 or crawfish and small fishes known locally as " sardines," '• shad," and 

 " pilchards." The meat of the conch is also used to some extent. The 

 crawfish are taken by spearing, seining, and trapping, and the small 

 fish are caught by means of improvised seines made of guuny sacks. 

 In 1895 the small fish used for bait had an approximate weight of 

 121,000 pounds, with a market value of $3,025; the crawfish employed 

 for the same purpose amounted to 120,000 pounds (equivalent to about 

 the same number of these crustaceans), worth $2,720. 



The most interesting feature of the Key West market line fisheries 

 is that the fish are kept alive in wells while the boats are on the fishing- 

 grounds and are transferred to live-cars or live-boxes after reaching 

 market. The consumer is thus enabled to select his fish and have 

 them killed on the spot, thus being sure that the fish is fresh. This 

 method prevents the waste that too often characterizes the fisheries, as 

 the fishermen do not take more fish than they can readily sell and do 

 not start on a trip until the catch of the previous trip is disposed of. 



The bottom fishery in 1895 was engaged in by about 105 persons; the 

 number of boats employed was 91, and the catch, amounting to about 

 1,475,000 pounds, was valued at $58,901. 



The Iringfish and red-snapper fisheries. — The most prominent market 

 fishery carried on during a definite time and for special fish is that 

 for kingfish. The time of arrival of kingfish in this region and its 

 abundance each fall are determined largely by the weather. The fish 

 is not expected until after a " norther," and is apt to be most abundant 

 during a severe winter with frequent northerly gales. In the early part 

 of the season, which extends from about October 15 to March 15, the 

 kingfish is sought as far north and east as Cape Florida, but after 

 November 15 it is usually present in large numbers in the vicinity of 

 Key West. The fish are caught from within a short distance of the 

 keys to the edge of the Gulf Stream, but the principal grounds are 

 from above Love Key to Sombrero Key. 



Trolling is the method of capture employed in this fishery, a 36-thread 

 cotton line, about 10 fathoms long, being used. Four lines, worth about 

 40 cents each, constitute the complement of each boat. When the fish 

 are biting fast, the line may be shortened to 5 fathoms or even 2 fathoms* 

 The preferred bait is a triangular strip of skin from the side of a kingfish. 



When the catch is sold for local consumption, the fish are eviscerated 

 and cut into steaks. If these are not sold the first day after being 

 caught, they are lightly salted and dried in the sun, when they will 

 keep for several weeks in favorable weather. The principal part of the 

 catch has, however, usually been destined for the Cuban trade, the fish- 

 ermen delivering the fish round to dealers, who packed them in ice and 



