382. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
in the coastal waters of Texas. They would be of little service in these 
waters, not only on account of the damage that would be done to them 
by predaceous fish, but also because the high temperature of the water 
would necessitate at too frequent intervals their being raised to remove 
the fish while in good condition. 
THE SHRIMP-SEINE, SURF-SEINE, AND GREEN-TURTLE FISHERIES. 
Around Galveston Island, besides the bay-seine fishery, two special 
forms of seine fishery are foun in practice, one for taking shrimp in 
Galveston Bay, the other used in the surf on the south side of Galves- 
ton Island for obtaining sand trout, large redfish, ete. As they were 
found at no other locality, the discussion of these fisheries will be 
included in the description of the fisheries of Galvéston Bay. 
Large green turtle (Chelonia mydas) occur more or less abundantly 
all along the Texas coast; a few are taken by the fishermen of Point 
Isabel, but as their capture and utilization centers at Aransas Bay a 
description of this fishery will be found in the notes on that locality. 
HOOK-AND-LINE FISHERIES. 
While seine fishing continues so successful as at present, it is not 
probable that an extensive hook-and-line fishery will be developed in 
the Texas waters; yet, from all the bays along the coast and in the many 
rivers throughout the State, quantities of fish are taken in this way 
by sportsmen as well as by those men who engage in the other fisheries. 
Catfish are taken on trot lines and by means of hand lines in Sabine 
Lake, Guadalupe River, Rio Grande, and to a less extent in many 
other streams. These are the large mud or channel catfish common in 
the Mississippi River and the Southern States. They sometimes attain 
a weight of 50 and even 70 pounds. They are quite well liked in this 
State, in some of the interior towns being preferred to redfish or trout. 
Some line fishing in the surf is engaged in on the south side of Gal- 
veston Island, and at one or two other places. From all the coast set- 
tlements some hand lines are used for taking redfish, trout, sheepshead, 
tarpon, and other kinds common on the coast. More redfish are taken | 
in this manner than any other single species, mullet and shrimp being ~ 
the most popular baits used for them. They are very gamy, and a 25- 
pound redfish will give plenty of sport. 
The tarpon, known in Texas alsoas “ grande écaille” or ‘savanilla,” 
are abundant, but not frequently Janded. Jewfish attract much atten- 
tion in the spring. The Mexican fishermen call this fish the “ guasa,” 
and at Pensacola it is known by the name of “warsaw,” doubtless a 
corruption of “ guasa.” In Texas it is also called the “junefish,” be- 
cause of its being more plentiful in June than at other times. Crabs 
and mullet are used as bait. Occasionally fish of this species weighing 
over 500 pounds are taken. In Aransas Bay, in 1890, a Jewfish was — 
caught which weighed 597 pounds round weight. 
