382 Banded Croaker 



Distribution: Occurs on sandy shores from Texas to New 



Jersey and rarely to New York and Cape Cod. 



Size: Reaches a length of about 5 feet and a weight of 75 



pounds. 



General Information: The Channel Bass spawns in autumn 



and early winter in the area south of Cape Hatteras. It 



feeds on crustaceans and shellfish. The name Red Drum 



has been given this species because some of the fish turn 



to a reddish color after death. 



Economic Importance: This is an important food fish in 



the south Atlantic and Gulf regions. It is sought after by 



the surf-caster from New Jersey shores south. 



Banded Croaker 

 Larimus fasciatus Holbrook 



Color: Gray-green above; silvery beneath. A yellow tinge 

 over body. Sides have 7-9 vertical black bars. 

 Distribution: Found from Texas to Chesapeake Bay and 

 as a rare straggler north to Cape Cod. 

 Sizes: Reaches a length of 10 inches. 



General Information: The Banded Croaker is most com- 

 mon south of Cape Hatteras, where it is often taken in 

 the otter trawls of shrimp fishermen. It is a small fish usu- 

 ally less than 8 inches long and is generally discarded. 

 Economic Importance: None. 



