SMALL PACIFIC COAST SEA PISHES 



alongshore, are the yellow-fln, roncador {Umbrina roncador), 

 the California Roncador stearnsi, also caUed the ' spot-fin croaker,' 

 from the spot or black ocellus at the base of the pectoral fin. 

 There is also a little roncador (croaker) in California, Gewyonemus 

 Uneatus. The roncador or yellow-fin has been taken by Mr. 

 T. McD. Potter outside the surf on sandy bottom at Silver Canon, 

 Santa CataUna Island, and is one of the most beautiful fishes of 

 these waters ; ablaze with golden-yeUow tints, its fins a bright 

 yellow. 



One might fish for some of these fishes forever with sardine 

 bait, and never catch one. They have a penchcmi for clam bait, 

 abalone or crab, particularly the former, and by using a light 

 rod no little sport can be had. Herein lies the sport to be found 

 at many unexpected places — the tackle should be graded to suit 

 the game. To fish for roncador with fish bait at Santa CataUna 

 or San Clemente, or at the long beaches on the mainland, would 

 draw a blank ; they must have the proper bait. To fish for these 

 four-, five- or six-pound fishes with a sixteen-ounce rod is to 

 draw a ' sporting ' blank — as they are slaughtered. A stiff trout 

 rod is more to the point, and with it the angler will find enjoyment. 



This is true of many small fishes of the CaUfornian coast. 

 The angler in trolling for yellowtail or white sea bass is often 

 annoyed by the rock bass, a fish which ranges up to eight or 

 more pounds, but averages three or four pounds. On a heavy rod 

 this fish gives up at once ; it is obliged to, and so has become 

 known as a pest. If the angler will rig up a two- or three-ounce, 

 ten-foot split cane or bamboo rod with a fight finen fine, and fish 

 with a small sardine or a small spoon, he will find fair sport with 

 these attractive fishes, whose name is legion, and which have the 

 most beautiful eyes of all the fishes — ^veritable gems, blue, green 

 and gold. The common name for these fishes is rock-bass. The 

 Green rock-bass, Sebastodm flavidus, the Black rock-bass, 

 S. mystitmis, the Orange rock-bass or Easciera, 8. miniatus. 

 This is a very large and richly coloured group of fishes. Some 

 allied forms are called Groupers — rich red fishes, but beyond 



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