THE SHEEPSHEAD AND GROUPER 
BY L. D. 
Since my arrival in Florida I have 
caught thirteen species of fishes, and 
this within a space of five weeks. Of 
these thirteen new species, to me, I 
will favor the reader short descriptions, 
after I have become better acquainted 
with them, but for the present the only 
ones with which I am familiar is the 
sheepshead and the grouper. The 
sheepshead, both north and south, is 
abundant in St. Sebastian bay, on the 
Indian river, and on account of its high 
rank asa table delicacy is eagerly 
sought for by all, as well as by the 
scientific angler for the pleasure derived 
from its capture. 
The first sample of sheepshead that 
were brought onto the table, fried crisp 
and brown, were sufficient in excellence 
to cause an investigation as to their 
method of capture. I learned they 
were taken, along with channel bass, 
mullet, seacats and others in a gillnet, 
set over night for the purpose, but that 
they could be taken with hook and line 
from the little wharf in front of the 
house. In short order a number of en- 
thusiastic anglers could be seen com- 
fortably seated in chairs at the wharf 
attempting to lure the barred fish, 
while others, more ventursome, were 
trying their luck from boats. The luck 
from boat and wharf was about equal, 
as to numbers, but the boats well out 
from shore were favored with larger 
fish. 
Those of the fishers who used oysters, 
cut up for bait, made the largest scores; 
the almost universally successful mullet 
bait being but slightly attractive in 
IN FLORIDA WATERS. 
BARNABY. 
comparion with the bivalves. Small 
crabs, especially what is called the 
fiddler, were also used as a successful 
bait. 
The sheepshead is very partial to the 
neighborhood of old wharves or where 
old timbers are lying in the water, and 
to which barnacles are adhering. The 
roots of mangroves are favorite resorts 
for this species, and all along Indian 
river, where mangroves border the 
shores, this fish may be found in vary- 
ing numbers and of different sizes. 
Here, where barnacles swarm, and 
oysters hang in festoons from the roots 
and pendant branches, the sheepshead 
may be seen passing in and out of the 
labarynth of passages. The species is 
provided with a set of powerful teeth, 
which, though not of the savage kind, 
with which the sharks are armed, are 
sufficient for purposes required, namely, 
for breaking into the shells of the mol- 
lusks, lobsters, etc. It is said that the 
sheepshead has sufficient power to open 
an oyster, and it is not to be doubted 
that a good-sized one could accomplish 
this. From analysis of the contents of 
stomachs it is easy to satisfy yourself 
that large and strong-shelled animals, 
both mollusks and articulates, are fed 
upon. 
Thus far we have only caught com- 
paratively small specimens, four pounds 
and wduder,- but they are taken here) a 
am informed, weighing as high as eight 
pounds. The majority of the catch are 
under a pound, and much resemble in 
size, shape and even in their actions, 
the common strawberry bass or calico 
