ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 119 



its bony margin sharply serrate in young examples, becoming entire 

 with age, the seme entirely disappearing in specimens of 20 to 30 

 pounds weight ; in these the even edge of the bone is wholly covered 

 by skin ; mouth large, nearly horizontal ; maxillary, not quite reach- 

 ing posterior border of orbit, 2^ in head ; teeth in both jaws in vil- 

 liform bands, the outer series of the upper jaw much enlarged ; lower 

 teeth subequal ; gill rakers 5+7, shorter than the diameter of the 

 pupil ; longest dorsal spine 2}i in head ; second anal spine l-§ in the 

 longest ray, 3f in head ; pectorals as long as ventrals, 2 in head ; 

 scales of the breast embedded, cycloid ; soft dorsal scaleless ; caudal 

 fin slightly concave, about y^ as long as head. Color, grayish silvery, 

 iridescent ; often washed with coppery red ; each scale with a center 

 of dark points, these forming rather obscure, irregular, undulating 

 brown stripes along the rows of scales ; a jet black ocellated spot 

 about as large as eye at base of caudal above, this sometimes dupli- 

 cated ; the body occasionally covered with ocelli. Length, 2 to 5 

 feet. ' ' Weight to 50 pounds ; average about 6 to 8 pounds. 



Caught : Preferably on banks near shores in shallow water, with 

 light tackle. Rod and reel, 6 to 12 line, 4$, 6$ hook. Bait : Live 

 Menhaden, small Mullet or other small fish ; Crab, or cut Mullet, 

 bottom or floating bait, using float if desired. In shallow water they 

 are obliged when hooked to make long runs, 100 to 300 feet, and 

 afford fine sport. When fishing on or near oyster bars a float is 

 necessary to keep the line off the oysters, where it may be cut. They 

 take the same bait as above in the surf from Ormond to Indian 

 River Inlet, at times, notably from April 1st to December 1st, and 

 during long continued warm spells, between December 1st and April 

 1st. This is the case at Mosquito Inlet and New Smyrna south to 

 Indian River Inlet, but not often much north of Mosquito Inlet, be- 

 tween these dates. Trolling : They will take a medium-size Mack- 

 erel or silvered phantom, a No. 5 or 6 Skinner spoon, Minnow or 

 cut bait. Trolling should be near the shores where the fish are sup- 

 posed to be. One of the best game fish. Edible, B. Up to 6 

 pounds they are a fine boiler or broiler ; above that weight they are 

 not desirable. 



