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DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME 



YELLOWFIN CROAKER 

 Umbrina roncador 



Relationship: Is in the croaker family, Sciaenidae, to which also belong the Cali- 

 fornia corbina, the spotfin and black croakers, the queenfish, kingfish, and white sea 

 bass. 



Distinguishing Characters: The tip of the snout projecting beyond the tip of the 

 lower jaw ; the spiny and soft dorsal fins being connected by a low membrane ; the 

 single, short barbel at the tip of the lower jaw (separating it from our other croakers 

 except the corbina) ; the two strong spines at the front of the anal fin (separating it 

 from the corbina) ; the lack of vomerine teeth. Reaches a length of about 16 inches and 

 a weight of up to five pounds. Color: Metallic grayish or greenish with brassy and 

 golden reflections shading into silvery below ; back and sides with many wavy, deep 

 olive lines extending upward and backward following the rows of scales ; fins mostly 

 yellow, the dorsals darker. 



Distribution: Pt. Conception south into the Gulf of California; perhaps very 

 rarely north to San Francisco. Usually found in shallow water over a sandy bottom, 

 often in the surf or in bays and sloughs. 



Fishing Season: Throughout the year, but reaching a peak in the late summer. 



Importance: Illegal to take with nets since 1909 or to buy or sell since 1915. A 

 prized sport fish. 



Fishing Methods: Taken by sportsmen in the surf, from piers and boats in the 

 ocean, and in bays. Usually caught with cut bait, though live bait, especially anchovies, 

 is also considered excellent. 



Unauthorized Name: Surf fish. 



