12 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH 



After quoting the scientific names given by Jordan & Evermann, I 

 give the additional names used on the coast, then the common names 

 used by J. & E. , and in my index place all of them, scientific and com- 

 mon, so that any reader can probably find any fish he may be in search 

 of. I treat the game qualities of the fishes as I have found them during 

 my long experience on the coast, and as to their edible qualities have 

 done the same. I have lived on the waters from two to over seven 

 months during each of the last twelve years, and one year before ; 

 have eaten fish from one to three times per day during all the time ; 

 have had them cooked in all sorts of ways on boats, and at hotel by 

 special orders, and on the regular menus, so, possibly, ought to be 

 considered a judge, but "tastes differ," and probably many persons 

 will not accept my classification as to the edible qualities of the 

 fishes. I grade them as Al, A, B, and C. 



I have enumerated only a small proportion of the species on the 

 coast treated in Jordan & Evermann, the larger number of which 

 are designated only by scientific names, and are interesting to the 

 ichthyologist and other naturalists, but possess no especial attractions 

 for the average angler. 



In the common and local names there are many misnomers, which 

 is unavoidable. When the scientific men have visited the different 

 localities, they have been obliged to report the names as they have 

 found them, as otherwise they could not designate a fish so that it 

 would be known to the people where it was caught. 



As many different fishes are known by the same common name in 

 different localities, an apparent confusion exists, for which there ap- 

 pears to be no remedy. I mention all the names as I find them, mak- 

 ing such explanation as I think necessary in each case. In explana- 

 tion of what some readers may consider a great variety in some of 

 the species, I will refer to the "Check List" of Jordan & Ever- 

 mann, in which they give, under heading of " Pampanos " (in which 

 they include the Cavalles, Jacks, Permits, Moon-fishes, Look-Downs, 

 and Pampanos), sixty-five varieties; under Catfishes, 102; Sharks, 

 sixty-five ; Rays, thirty-one ; Suckers, sixty-eight ; and Carps, 254. 

 The Groupers, Snappers, Grunts, and Porgies are numerous. In 

 making my list, I have, in addition to Jordan & Evermann, con- 

 sulted the United States Fish Commission reports of 1895, 1896, 

 1897, 1898, and 1899, and its Bulletins of 1896, 1897, 1898; as also 

 Jordan & Gilbert's synopsis, 1882 and 1883 ; Fishes of Porto Rico, 



