THE GULP OF MEXICO. 55 



fourteen fathoms of water; and the bottom consists mostly of " willows," with some other corals. 

 Fishing is best in January. 



Tybee Geound bears east one-half north twelve to fourteen miles from Martin's Industry 

 light-ship. It is one and one-half miles long southeast and northwest, and one-half mile wide. 

 The bottom consists of shells and corals, the depth being nine to nine and one-half fathoms. 

 This ground is resorted to by the smacks, from August to January, for blackfish and trout, which 

 are taken to the Charleston market, fifty miles distant. 



Tybee Deep Water Ground bears southeast forty miles from Tybee light-house, and is 

 three miles long northwest and southeast by two miles wide. The bottom consists of -corals, 

 " willows," fine sand, and shells, and the depths range from fifteen to eighteen fathoms. Smacks 

 fish here from January to March for blackfish and snappers. 



Sapelo Ground bears east by north from Wolf Island, from which it is ten miles distant. . 

 It is four miles long north and south and one mile wide. The bottom consists of corals and 

 shells, and the depth is nine to ten fathoms. Smacks fish here for blackfish and snappers for 

 the Charleston and Savannah markets, from June to January. 



Fernandina Ground bears from east- southeast to east by north from Fernandina light- 

 house; distance, fifteen miles. This is a nearly circular ground from seven to ten miles in 

 diameter. The bottom is of corals and is generally broken, the average depth being seventeen 

 fathoms. It is fished on in the winter season for blackfish and other species. 



11. THE GULF OF MEXICO. 



tbe fiseina-anounds of the gulf of mexico belonging to the united states. 



By Silas Stearns. 



The southern and easternmost of the fishing-grounds of the Gulf coast are those of the Florida 

 Reefs, which are mainly visited by the Key West market fleet. 



These reefs, as a natural consequence of their coral formation and the protection afforded by 

 their uneven surfaces, are exceedingly well populated with all the forms of invertebrate animals 

 common to this latitude, and, therefore, we find about them an abundance of fishes, attracted 

 by the vast stores of food. On the Gulf Stream side of the keys all forms of animal life exist in 

 greater abundance than on the opposite side, owing probably to the greater depth, clearness, and 

 warmth of the^ater. In the narrow channels through the reefs, and about solitary rocks and 

 clusters of rocks the best fishing-grounds usually exist, but the kind of fish sought for has much 

 to do with this, for some kinds swim- in open water in search of prey, and others along the 

 bottoms of channels, while others again obtain their food from the sides of high-standing rocks 

 and in shoal water. 



During warm weather fish abound both outside and inside of the Eeef to the south shore of 

 the keys, but during cold "northers," when much of the cold water from Florida Bay is driven 

 through between, and to the south of, the keys, the majority of the fish retreat to the outer side 

 of the Keef, where they can be in the warm water of the Gulf Stream. This movement is 

 particularly noticeable with the kingfish {Scomberomorus regalis), and it is during such cold spells 

 that the largest catches of this species are made, for they are then congregated within narrow 

 limits. The kinds of fish commonly taken on these grounds are as follows : 

 Carangus hippos. .Tackfish. Unneacentrus punctatus. Coney. 



Paratractus pisguetus. Horse-eye Jack. Sarothrodus Umaculatus. White Angel-fish. 



Decapterus punotatus. HolacantMs ciliaris. Yellow Angel-fish. 



