CHAPTER XVII 



THE CHANNEL FISHES 



The channels among the reefs and keys from 

 Cape Florida to Key West and vicinity abound 

 with a number of percoid, or perchlike, fishes, 

 belonging to several families. They are mostly 

 of small size, comparatively, but afford good 

 bottom fishing. They are all good food-fishes 

 and find a ready sale in the markets of Key 

 West. Most of them are remarkable for their 

 gay and brilliant coloration. 



The coralline formation of the keys and reefs 

 renders the use of seines and nets impossible, 

 so that all of the fishing for market is done with 

 hook and line, — usually with sea-crawfish bait, 

 though a few are taken in traps formed of heavy 

 wire. The fishes consist of grunts, snappers, 

 groupers, porgies, etc., and are carried to market 

 alive in the wells of the small vessels known as 

 " smackees." 



A fleet of larger vessels, mostly schooner-rigged, 

 troll along the keys and reefs for the larger 

 316 



