or red drum, Sciaenops ocellata (Linnaeus); and the black drum, Pogonias cromis 

 (Linnaeus). Other species that occurred sporadically included the silver perch, 

 Bairdiella chrysura (Lacepede); the speckled or spotted trout, Cynoscion nehulosus 

 (Cuvier and Valenciennes); the sand trout, C. arenarius Ginsburg; and the banded 

 croaker, Larimus fascioius Holbrook. Identifications were made by rearing larvae 

 to recognizable stages in aquaria. 



Collection data indicate that spawning of nnost Sciaenidae in East Lagoon 

 takes place from late fall to mid-spring. An exception is the occurrence of larvae 

 in June 1954 that were probably sand trout. 



Adult sciaenids furnish anglers with an abundance of sport -fishing activity 

 throughout the year in and around the lagoon mouth. Most sought after are the 

 speckled trout (spring, summer, and fall), the redfish (all year), and the croaker 

 (spring and fall). Trout weighing 8 to 1 1 pounds have been caught in the area, 

 while redfish over 15 pounds in weight have been taken from time to time. 



Table 4. "-Occurrence of Sciaenidae (larvae) 

 Average number per set 



Month 



1953 



1954 



1955 



1956 



1957 



1958 



SPARIDAE 



Porgies 



Lagodon rhomhoides (Linnaeus) 



Pinfish, Pin Perch 



The pinfish is the most abundant of any fish species found in the study area. 

 Scorned by experienced fishermen because of its relatively small size (averages 

 12.0 cm.) and its bait-robbing ability, it nevertheless furnishes sport to many 

 anglers. Throughout the year three out of four fish taken by hook and line are 

 this prolific and aggressive porgy. 



From the occurrence of larval Sparidae, which, with few exceptions, were 

 100 percent L. rhomhoides, it may be concluded that spawning takes place from 

 late autunnn to late spring with a definite peak in February (table 5). No diffi- 

 culties were experienced in rearing larvae for identification purposes. 



16 



