140 Memoir Sears Foundation for Marine Research 



Relationship and Variation. Only one species has been recognized. Insufficient 

 material from its wide range has been studied, but the present study of specimens 

 from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of America has shown no constant differences or 

 variations of importance. 



Relation to Man. This species is not considered a good foodfish in most of its range 

 in America. Schroeder, reporting on the fisheries at Key West, Florida, stated that "it 

 is not highly regarded as a foodfish, and its commercial value is negligible" (6j: 4). 

 Similar statements are included in publications about the fishes of the West Indies. 

 But Hollister, presumably reporting on observations made in Bermuda, stated to the 

 contrary that "it surpasses its famous cousin, the Silver King, or tarpon, in possessing 

 a combination of qualities, that of gaminess and of being a table delicacy" (40: 104). 

 From the writer's own observations in Panama, the Bonefish is considered an inferior 

 foodfish, whereas the tarpon is highly regarded as food by the native population. Thus 

 tastes seem to differ in different localities. 



However, the Bonefish ranks high with anglers, especially around Florida and 

 the Bahamas, for it is so wary when feeding on the flats that careful stalking and -long 

 and delicate casting are called for; but once hooked, its runs are longer and swifter 

 and its resistance far more vigorous and indefatigable than one might expect from such 

 a comparatively small fish. 



Miss Francesca LaMontc of the American Museum of Natural History, long 

 acquainted with the sport fisheries, has generously offered the following information: 

 This warm-water fish, which provides splendid angling with simple equipment, is 

 caught on the flats and can be fished there either from a boat or while wading. The 

 boat should be light as well as flat-bottomed and should be provided with an outboard 

 motor, oars, and anchors for both bow and stern. The fish is taken by casting or still 

 fishing, but the favorite method is casting. Light tackle with plug casting or saltwater 

 fly rod provides good sport. As bait, anglers may use conch, crabs or crayfish, feathers, 

 lures, or squid. Coming in with the tide, the Bonefish spreads out over the flats and 

 among the mangrove stands; when the tide ebbs, it seeks deep holes. On the flats, 

 the angler may chum or get his bait into the middle of a "mud" or group of Bonefish 

 that is feeding, with tails uppermost while grubbing on the bottom. 



When hooked, the Bonefish makes a very fast and strong run, taking out yards 

 of line. In so doing it varies the straight dash by suddenly turning and coming toward 

 the boat or by running into the mangroves where the line may be cut on the roots. 

 After making several of these runs, the Bonefish usually begins to wear out, begins 

 circling the boat, and can finally be picked up in a landing net. 



For many years the angling record stood at 13^/4 pounds for one caught on the 

 famous Bonefish grounds off Bimini in the northern Bahama Islands, but this record 

 was eventually beaten. The present record is for a fish of 1 8 pounds 2 ounces, caught 

 off Kauai, Hawaiian Islands. In the western North Atlantic, the best known Bone- 

 fish grounds are the Florida Keys near Miami, the Islamorada-Marathon area, and 

 the northern Bahamas. 



