56 



DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME 



Figure 29 



YELLOWTAIL 

 Ser/o/a dorsalis 



Relationship: A member of the jack family, Carangidae, which includes the 

 jack mackerel, the scad and many tropical species as well. 



Distinguishing Characters: The two dorsal fins, the first composed of spines 

 which are less than half the height of the first soft rays ; the blunt low keel on either 

 side of the caudal peduncle; the absence of shields along the lateral line. Weight in 

 California generally under 15 pounds ; a record specimen from Guadalupe Island, 

 Mexico, weighed 80 pounds and was nearly five feet long. Color: Metallic blue to 

 green above, a brassy horizontal stripe along the sides from eye to tail ; silvery below. 



Distribution: Central California south along the Mexican coast and into the 

 Gulf of California. Rare north of Pt. Conception. A schooling fish. 



Fishing Season: Throughout the year, with the great bulk of the catch taken 

 in Mexican waters. Most abundant in California in the summer and early fall. 



Importance: California's fifteenth fishery in volume and seventeenth in value 

 in 1946. Landed chiefly at Los Angeles and San Diego. Most of the Mexican catch 

 is canned. A very popular game fish. 



Fishing Gear: In California, both commercial and sport fishermen use hook 

 and line, generally with live bait. Round haul nets are illegal in California but most 

 of the Mexican catch is taken in purse seines. 



Unauthorized Name: Amberjack. 



