Barracuda, Pacific Sphyraena argentea

Girard, 1854

SPHYRAENIDAE FAMILY


Pacific barracuda are easily recognized by their long, silvery bodies, widely spaced dorsal fins and a mouth full of sharp, pointed teeth. Pacific barracuda do not reach the large sizes of their relative, the great barracuda but are spirited fighters in their own right. They are found from Central America to as far north as Alaska during extreme warm water episodes. However, they are generally rare north of Point Conception, California. Like other barracudas, they are highly active piscivores that consume a variety of smaller fish species. They are typically found near shore in small groups and often around reefs, kelp and other structure.

Snapper, African red Lutjanus agennes

Bleeker, 1863

LUTJANIDAE FAMILY
Also called Guinean snapper, African cubera snapper, jaabaar, diabar, carpe rouge.

It is known only from the West African coast in the region between Senegal and Angola where it occurs on rocky bottoms and coral reefs. It is also common in brackish lagoons and rivers, particularly the juveniles. Coloration is variable, usually reddish brown to slightly dorsally, grading to whitish ventrally. The tips of the anal and caudal fins are very dark.

The body is relatively deep for the genus with the head pointed, the dorsal profile of forehead somewhat angular. The preorbital bone is broad and the maxilla extends nearly to mid-eye level. The vomerine teeth occur in a triangular patch, some times with a short median extension posteriorly. About 7 well formed gill rakers are found on the first arch.

The Guinean snapper can be distinguished from other snappers by the following characteristics: L. dentatus and L. endecacanthus have 8-10 rows of cheek scales and the longitudinal scale rows above the lateral line slant upward. In L. agennes, there are 5-7 rows of cheek scales and the longitudinal scales are parallel above the lateral line except on the caudal peduncle. L. fulgens has 16 well-formed gill rakers on the first gill arch where L. agennes has 7-9. L. goreensis has a vomerine tooth patch with an elongate median extension posteriorly.

Like other large snapper, the Guinean snapper is generally caught bottom fishing. It is an important food fish in the subsistence fishery.

Peacock, Orinoco Cichla orinocensis

Humboldt, 1821

CICHLIDAE FAMILY
Also called pavon and borboleto. Orinoco peacocks can be distinguished from all other species of peacock bass by the presence of three large, dark ocellated blotches along their side. They are often confused with butterfly peacocks (Cichla ocellaris) because they are commonly called “burboleta”, which is Brazilian Portuguese for “butterfly. Orinoco peacocks are one of the more common species and can be found in Brazil in the Amazon, Rio Negro rivers, as well as in the Orinoco river in Venezuela and Columbia. These beautiful cichlids are powerful fighters that can be caught on bait, lures and flies. The All-Tackle record is 13 lb 11 oz (6.22 kg) and was caught in Venezuela

Peacock, blackstriped Cichla intermedia

Ogilvie, 1966

CICHLIDAE FAMILY
Also known as pavón real or royal pavón

The blackstripe peacock is limited to the Orinoco watershed in Venezuela south of San Fernando.

Blackstripe peacocks are characterized by an irregular black stripe which runs laterally along the full length of the midsection of the fish and is crossed intermittently by a series of six to eight fainter black oval shaped spots. This the only Cichlid that has more than three black bars.

The blackstripe peacock will rarely weigh more than 10 pounds, although 12 pound fish have been caught. As a point of interest, while the blackstripe pavon is less frequently encountered by anglers, most experienced pavón fishermen feel that pound for pound C. intermedia is the gamest of the pavónes. Like the speckled and butterfly peacocks, it is easily caught on spinning, bait-casting or fly rod tackle. And, like the other peacocks, it is a superior foodfish

Kahawai (Australian salmon) Arripis trutta

Forster, 1801 and / Arripis truttacea Cuvier, 1829

ARRIPIDAE FAMILY
Also called Australian salmon, black-back salmon, bay trout, sallmon trout

These species are found around New Zealand, Tasmania, and the southern portions of Australia. They inhabit continental shelf waters including estuaries, bays and inlets. They school in shallow, open coastal waters or form large surface aggregations in deeper water.

They grow to at least 3 ft (1 m) and 33 lb (15 kg), resembling a cross between a bluefish (tailor) and a southern yellowtail (called kingfish in Australia and New Zealand). The body varies from blue green or greenish to silvery with scattered dark gray, brown, or golden spots. Often mistaken for southern yellowtail, it can be quickly and easily distinguished by its lack of a yellow stripe along the body and its high first dorsal fin. The name “Australian salmon” is something of a misnomer, as it is in no way related to the true salmon or their relatives (Salmonidae).

They are highly prized by anglers and commercial fishermen. Large concentrations of feeding birds often indicate the presence of kahawai, which go into surface feeding frenzies similar to those of bluefish (tailor). They feed actively on anchovies and other small fish and can be caught on these or on fast moving lures. On light tackle, the kahawai is a very sporting catch and will leap repeatedly. It is also ideally suited to fly fishing

Barbel Barbus barbus

Linnaeus, 1758

CYPRINIDAE FAMILY
Also called barbe, bambet, barben, barbillon

Barbel are a long, round-bodied fish that possess a long head and pointed snout. As the name implies, they have four barbells: two near the tip of the snout and a pair near the corner of the jaw. Coloration can be variable, but is typically brown or grey-green along the back and the pectoral, pelvic and anal fins are green with reddish bases. Barbel are found throughout Europe, where they are very popular with freshwater anglers. Some scientists acknowledge the existence of several subspecies in the Iberian and Italian peninsulas. They generally reside in the deeper, faster-flowing upper reaches of rivers with stone or gravel bottom, where they feed mainly on benthic invertebrates, such as small crustaceans, insect larvae, and mollusks, as well as mayfly and midge larvae

Yellowtail, southern Seriola lalandi

Cuvier, Valenciennes, 1833

CARANGIDAE FAMILY
Also called yellowtail kingfish, king yellowtail, northern kingfish, Cape yellowtail, amberfish, halfkoort

Occurs south of the equator (not in equatorial waters) off Argentina, southern Brazil, St. Helena, South Africa, Australia and North Island, New Zealand. North of the equator the southern yellowtail is replaced by the California yellowtail, Seriola lalandi dorsalis (Gill, 1863) and the Asian yellowtail, Seriola lalandi aureovittata Schlegel, 1844

It is currently believed that the worldwide yellowtail complex is one species, Seriola lalandi. However, three subspecies are recognized, primarily because of their disjunct distribution and the fact that they do not interact. The subspecies are California yellowtail (Seriola lalandi dorsalis), Asian yellowtail (Seriola lalandi aureovittata), and southern yellowtail (Seriola lalandi lalandi).

The yellowtail is a coastal, schooling fish that sometimes enters estuaries. It has been reported to occur occasionally in very large schools in the Gulf of California. It feeds predominantly in the morning and late afternoon on small fishes, invertebrates, and pelagic crabs. Small to medium size fish generally undertake seasonal migrations. Larger individuals are more solitary and less migratory.

The yellowtail is easily recognized by its bright yellow tail and a characteristic brass colored stripe that runs along the median line of the flanks from the tip of the snout to the tail. It is closely related to the greater amberjack. It can be distinguished by the greater number of developed gill rakers, 21 28 on the first arch, while the amberjack has 11 16.

The yellowtail is a fast swimmer. The strike is vicious and is followed by a long, hard run and sometimes two or three shorter runs before the fish is boated. Fishing methods include trolling or casting with live baits or with lures. The yellowtail's habit of driving bait fish up against the shore makes casting from the beach possible at times. The advice of experts is to allow time for the bait to be swallowed, then strike hard.

Although opinions vary regarding the food value of this species it is generally highly regarded, with smaller specimens receiving the better ratings

Sunfish, green Lepomis cyanellus

Rafinesque, 1819

CENTRARCHIDAE FAMILY
Also called green perch, sand bass, blue spotted sunfish, rubbertail

Occurs naturally west of the Appalachians throughout the eastern and central U.S.A. and into Ontario, Canada and northern Mexico. Its range has been extended so that it is found east of the Appalachians in Oregon, Nevada, and California, as well as throughout the southwestern U.S.A. and Germany. It is absent from peninsular Florida and most of the northwest portion of the U.S.A.

It has a larger mouth and a thicker longer body than most sunfishes of the genus Lepomis, and in this respect more closely resembles the warmouth (L. gulosus) or its larger relatives of the genus Micropterus, such as the smallmouth bass. Most species of sunfish in the genus Lepomis are deep bodied, notably roundish in profile, and extremely compressed laterally. As in other sunfishes the dorsal fins are connected and there is an extended gill cover flat, or “ear lobe”, which is black edged with light red, pink, or yellow. The body is usually brown to olive green with a bronze to emerald green sheen, paling to yellow green on the lower sides and yellow or white on the belly. There are emerald or bluish spots on the head and sometimes, wavy or radiating lines of the same color. Seven to twelve dark bars are vaguely visible on the back.

This is a panfish with white, flaky flesh. it is taken by angling with worms or other small live baits, flies, spinners, or poppers

Halibut, Pacific Hippoglossus stenolepis

Schmidt, 1904

PLEURONECTIDAE FAMILY
Also called northern halibut, right halibut, alabato

Occurs in cold waters of the North Pacific from the Bering Sea south to about Santa Rosa Island, California, on the American side and to northern Japan (including the Okhotsk Sea) on the Asian side. The Pacific halibut is highly migratory. Tagging operations have shown that some adult specimens travel 2,000 miles or more, though others appear to remain near the spawning grounds. In northern areas large halibut can be found in relatively shallow waters, but in the warmer southern portions of their range they may go as deep as 600 fathoms or more.

This is the largest Pacific flatfish and very much resembles the Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus. The teeth are strong and equally well developed on both sides of the jaws. Coloration is uniformly dark brown or gray on the top side (often with small, lighter spots), and white and relatively featureless on the blind side.

Females grow to weights of over 470 lb (213 kg), live to a maximum age of 35 45 years and may attain a length of 9 ft (3 m). By comparison, males probably do not exceed 40 lb (18 kg) or 55 in (140 cm), and their maximum life expectancy appears to be about 25 years. The females are more numerous than the males and grow faster, except during the early stages of development.

The young feed primarily on crustaceans. Adults are piscivorous but will consume large crustaceans, squid, and other mollusks. Stomach contents indicate that large halibut feed in midwater as well as near the bottom. They can be caught while drift fishing on the bottom with heavy tackle, using baits like cod, herring, squid, mackerel or smaller flatfishes

Snapper, grey Lutjanus griseus

Linnaeus, 1758

LUTJANIDAE FAMILY
Also called mangrove snapper, mango snapper

Grey snapper are one of the most abundant species of snapper throughout their range, which includes Bermuda south to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the entire Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. They are found in a variety of habitats, which includes inshore seagrass beds and mangrove lagoons, but the largest are located on offshore reefs and wrecks. They also be found in completely freshwater areas in parts of Florida. They often form large aggregations, but have the habit of becoming difficult to catch once several of their cohorts have been hooked. Grey snapper feed on a wide variety of prey items including shrimp, crabs, and fish. It is a popular species with anglers and its varied diet allows it to be taken on natural bait, artificial lures, and even flies. It is also an excellent eating species

Pollack, European Pollachius pollachius

Linnaeus, 1758

GADIDAE FAMILY
Also called billet, lythe, black jack

It is strictly a European species, occurring in the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Norway to Spain and Portugal, including the English Channel, the North Sea, Iceland, and more rarely the northern coast of the western Mediterranean. It is mainly an in shore species found near rocky coasts and over rocky bottoms. Though a bottom feeder it may also be found swimming in shoals in midwaters.

It is a member of the cod family Gadidae and can be distinguished from similar looking species in its own family by a combination of features. Its lower jaw projects beyond the upper jaw, its tail is concave, its lateral line is dark greenish brown and arches sharply above the pectoral fins, and the chin lacks barbels. Coloration of this species is usually dark brown or olive dorsally. The sides of the fish change rather abruptly to a paler, yellowish color. Sometimes dark yellow or orange spots or stripes are apparent on the upper flanks.

It is a good sport fish and a strong fighter. It is in the words of one author “a crash dive artist par excellence” and is difficult to stop before it reaches sanctuary. Its diet includes sand eels, sprats, herring, smaller cod like fish, wrasses, rocklings, blennies, squid, worms and large crustaceans. Bait fishing, casting, jigging or trolling are all successful fishing methods. Baits and lures include diamond jigs, squid, herring, clams, worms, smaller cod species, crabs, shrimp, and prawns, spoons, tub lures, spinners, plugs and flies. They are an excellent table fish

Snapper, Pacific cubera Lutjanus novemfasciatus

Gill, 1863

LUTJANIDAE FAMILY
Also called black snapper, dog snapper

It is common throughout the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) from at least Laguna San Ignacio south to Panama, and probably Peru. It is an in shore Pacific species, frequenting reefs and caves from shallow waters to 100 ft (30 m) or more.

Growing to at least 80 lb (36 kg), it is the largest of the nine species of snapper that occur in its range. The most prominent and recognizable feature is the 4 large canine teeth, two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw. They are slightly larger than the diameter of the pupil of the eye and are the largest teeth of any snapper in its range. There is a crescent shaped patch of teeth in the roof of the mouth and other small ones are on the jaws.

As a juvenile, it is purplish brown with a light spot in the center of each scale, but adults and older fish become deep reddish in color. There is sometimes a blue streak under the eye, and about 9 dusky bars may or may not be evident to varying degrees on the flanks. The tail is almost truncate, usually being very slightly forked to crescent shaped. The dorsal fin has 10 spines followed by 14 soft rays, the anal fin rounded with 3 spines and 8 rays. The pectoral fins do not reach to the anal fin, nor do they reach as far as the vent in adults.

The Pacific cubera snapper looks quite like the cubera snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus) of the western Atlantic, the “river” or”mangrove red” snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) of the western Indo Pacific, and an African snapper (Lutjanus spp.). These three snappers and some others around the world, grow to sizes approaching or exceeding 100 lb (45 kg). All have deep reddish bodies, 4 large canine teeth, stubby gill rakers, and almost identical body and fin shapes, habitat, and behavior. These similarities and others are suggestive of a worldwide complex of large cubera type snappers that may be more closely related to each other than to most other members of the genus Lutjanus.

The Pacific Cubera is a strong fighter and sport fish that can be caught on live baits, jigs, spoons, feathers, plugs, or pork rind fished or trolled at up to 5 miles per hour. It is an active night predator of smaller fishes and crustaceans. It is excellent eating and is greatly prized as a sports catch

Char, Arctic Salvelinus alpinus

Linnaeus, 1758

SALMONIDAE FAMILY
Also called blueback char, blueback trout, Sunapee trout, golden trout (Sunapee).

The most northerly of all freshwater fish, the Arctic char is circumpolar in distribution, occurring around the globe from Maine and New Hampshire in the United States northward across northern Canada, Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, and from northern Russia south to Lake Baikal and Kamchatka as well as in Iceland, Great Britain, Scandinavia, the Alps, and Spitsbergen, among other places. An anadromous species (except where it has become landlocked), the Arctic char always returns from the sea to spawn in fresh water, usually in lakes or quiet pools of rivers over gravel bottom. It spawns in autumn or winter when water temperatures reach 4?C or less.

Like all chars (members of the genus Salvelinus), the Arctic char has light colored spots on the body and the leading edges of all the fins on the lower part of the body are milk white. These features set the chars apart from the salmons and trouts, which are the chars' closest relatives and similar in body shape. There is an adipose fin between the dorsal fin and the tail, and an axillary process at the base of each pelvic fin. It has a squarish or slightly forked tail.

The species most often confused with the Arctic char is an extremely close relative (also a char), the Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma). Often it is virtually impossible to distinguish between the two species except by laboratory analysis, and even today there are few scientists who know how to make a positive identification. Much erroneous material has been published concerning the distribution of each species, and consequently anglers and scientists alike have made many false identifications based on the mistaken belief that only Arctic char or only Dolly Varden occurred in a given area, lake, or river in Alaska. An individual who is familiar with both species may be able to make an identification based on the size of the spots, which are larger in the Arctic char. However, fish returning from the sea are often silvery with no spots at all, making external identification all but impossible. Gill raker counts are helpful. In Canada, Victoria Island (Northwest Territory) char have about 25 30 gill rakers on the first left gill arch. Dolly Varden have 21 22. Arctic char have 40 45 pyloric caeca (worm like appendages on the pylorus, the section of intestine directly after the stomach), while Dolly Varden have about 30.

As in all salmon, trout and char, both the color of the body and the shape of the head vary considerably in different forms of the fish; landlocked, seagoing, and most of all, spawning males which develop “kype.” Even if an individual is thoroughly familiar with all the color variations of all salmonids occurring in the area, color is not a factor that will distinguish the Arctic char from the Dolly Varden

The Arctic char is a food and game fish par excellence

Meagre Argyrosomus spp

SCIAENIDAE FAMILY
Also called kob, river kingfish, silver jewfish, butterfish, soapie and maigre africain.

Meagre are members of the drum family, which includes other popular sport fish such as white seabass, red drum, spotted seatrout and weakfish. There are currently nine recognized species of meagre, which are found from southern Scandinavia to South Africa in the eastern Atlantic, as well as the Mediterranean and Black seas. In the Indian and Pacific oceans they are found on the west coast of Africa, India, Pakistan, Australia, Korea and Japan. At least one species is also found in the Red Sea.

They have distinctive large, heavy scales extending onto the head and tail fin. Like all members of the drum family, they produce a drumming noise with muscles adjacent to the swim bladder. Drumming, generally associated with spawning, can be heard up to 98 feet away.

Because of their size and availability, meagre are high on the list of fish that recreational anglers dream of catching. These huge members of the Sciaenidae family (drums and croakers) are known to grow to more than 71.0 kg (156 lb) and a length of 2.3 m (7.5 ft). The fish can caught during the day, but most trophy fish are caught at about dusk on a rising to high tide. Although most anglers use conventions tackle, a fly can be just as effectively in a school of fish

Bass, whiterock Morone saxatilis x M chrysops

MORONIDAE FAMILY
Also called sunshine bass (Florida), hybrid bass

The whiterock bass is a hybrid produced by a female striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and a male white bass (Morone chrysops). In Florida, the sunshine bass is the reverse cross of the same two species, and the two are therefore the same hybrid. Hybrids are not given their own scientific names, but are designated by the names of the two parent species.

The whiterock or sunshine bass looks like a stocky striped bass. It can be distinguished from its larger parent primarily by this shorter, stockier body, and by the interrupted or broken stripes on the sides. The interrupted lines will also distinguish it from its smaller parent, the white bass, as well its size in many cases.

It has been widely stocked in the lakes of various states, providing a new challenge for the angler. It is reputed to be an excellent game fish

Lingcod Ophiodon elongatus

Girard, 1854

HEXAGRAMMIDAE FAMILY
Also called ling, cultus cod, green cod, buffalo cod

Endemic to the eastern Pacific Ocean from Point San Carlos, Baja California, Mexico, north to Kodiak Island, Alaska. Juveniles may be caught near kelp beds and rocky areas. Adults tend to remain in deeper water, and have been taken as deep as 1,381 ft (421 m), although they are most common at depths less than 350 ft (106 m).

It is recognized by a combination of characteristics. The mouth is large and slightly upward directed with a projecting lower jaw; the maxillae (upper jawbones) extend back beyond the posterior margin of the eyes. The large canine teeth are responsible for the genus name Ophiodon, derived from the Greek words “ophis” (snake) and “odons” (tooth). There is a single, continuous dorsal fin with a dip between the spiny anterior portions and soft rayed posterior part. The pectoral fins are large and fan like. The head and body are covered with small, smooth, cycloid scales, giving the fish a smooth look. Color is highly variable with habitat and may be almost any shade of brown, black, gray, blue or green with darker mottling.

They are voracious feeders that readily devour flounders, hake, herring, rockfish, cod, and even their own species, as well as crustacean and octopus. They are most commonly taken on heavy jigs fished in 30 700 ft (9 213 m) of water. They have been known to chase down and inhale hooked salmon and other fish being played by anglers, often refusing to let go until lifted out of the water. Lingcod are highly regarded sport fish and food fis

Redhorse, silver Moxostoma anisurum

Rafinesque, 1820

CATOSTOMIDAE FAMILY
Also called silver mullet, white nose redhorse, white nose mullet, white nose sucker

The silver redhorse while found in the same general areas as the shorthead redhorse, Moxostoma macrolepidotum, is not as wide ranging. It occurs from the Great Lakes northeast to about Quebec, Canada and south to southern Georgia, northern Alabama and Oklahoma. From there it extends to Lake Superior, northwestward to just across the border into Alberta, Canada. In the U.S. it does not extend very far west or east of the Great Lakes, except in Georgia and the Carolinas where it occurs all the way to the coast. It occurs northwest of the Great Lakes through the lower two thirds of Lake Winnipeg to as far north as central Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

It has no teeth and no dorsal spines. The single dorsal fin contains only soft rays and is located approximately in the middle of the back. The top edge of the dorsal fin is rounded (convex), whereas in the shorthead redhorse it is emarginate or concave. It is generally silvery in appearance, except for its bronze toned or olive green back. The fins are either white or grayish or pale red, but they may appear bright red in netted fish because they hemorrhage easily. The nose is white.

Though not particularly sought after as a sport fish, it has some potential and is probably under utilized in this respect. The flesh is tasty and similar to that of the shorthead redhorse, but like the shorthead redhorse, it has many small bones

Bonito, Pacific Sarda spp

Temminck & Schlegel, 1844; striped bonito / Sarda chiliensis Cuvier, 1831; California bonito, eastern Pacific bonito / Sarda australis Macleay, 1880; Australian bonito

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY


Sarda chiliensis is restricted to the eastern Pacific Ocean. Its range is divided into two separate populations. The northern population (Sarda chiliensis lineolata) ranges from Alaska to southern Baja and the Revillagigedo Islands off Mexico. The southern population (Sarda chiliensis chiliensis) ranges from Peru to Chile. The two populations are replaced from Baja, California to Peru by Sarda orientalis (the most widespread of the species of Sarda listed above) which also occur in scattered populations throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Sarda australis has the most restricted range of the three occurring only off the eastern coast of Australia. Distinguishing the Pacific bonitos from each other and from other Pacific Scombroid species has been confusing for many anglers. Superficially, many of the species resemble each other closely. The Sarda species differ from all other bonitos (with the exception of Allothunnus fallai, the so called slender tuna) in having no teeth on the tongue and in having a straight intestine with no fold in the middle. The Sarda species are not normally confused with Allothunnus and can be easily distinguished by the number of gill rakers: Sarda has 8 27 on the first arch (S. orientalis, 8 13; S. australis, 19 21; S. chiliensis, 23 27) whereas Allothunnus had 72 80. The Sarda species are further characterized by the first dorsal fin which has 17 19 spines. Like all bonitos (with the exception of Gymnosarda, the dogtooth tuna) Sarda has no swim bladder. Sarda australis has stripes on the belly as well as on the back, but other Sarda species lack any sort of stripes, lines, or spots on the belly.

Bonitos are migratory, schooling, pelagic fishes. They feed on smaller pelagic fishes and on squid, usually near the surface. Fishing methods include surface trolling; also casting, jigging, live baiting or ues of a variety of small artificial lures. The flesh is light colored and of good quality

Oscar Astronotus ocellatus

CICHLIDAE FAMILY
Also called acará-acu, cará-acu, acará-grande, bola-de-ouro, paya, marble cichlid, red oscar

The oscar is native to the Orinocok Amazon and La Plata River basins in South America. In Florida, its presence was recorded as far back as the 1950’s. Today the oscar is established throughout southeast Florida and has been introduced to Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Guam, Hong Kong, Cote de’Ivoire and other locals.

The thick-bodied oscar, is a dark brown fish with variable olive to red markings on most of the body. The key feature is an ocellus, a black spot encircled by a distinct red ring, on the tail. The caudal, dorsal and anal fins are rounded and fanlike, much like the saltwater tripletail.

Oscars are aggressive and some anglers claim, a much stronger fighter than either a largemouth or bluegill of equal size. Attaining a maximum size of 18 in (45.7 cm) and 3.5 lb (1.6 kg), oscars can be a challenge for an angler employing light spinning tackle or a flyrod. The oscar is prized for its tastiness and the chunky body can provide nice fillets

Gar, spotted Lepisosteus oculatus

Winchell, 1864

LEPISOSTEIDAE FAMILY


The spotted gar can be found from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico down through the Mississippi River drainage system. It occurs all along the Gulf coast from central Texas to the western portion of the Florida panhandle. East of the Apalachicola drainage, in the remainder of Florida, the spotted gar is replaced by its closest relative, the Florida gar (L. platyrhincus). Both species occur in the Apalachicola drainage itself, where they are believed to hybridize to some extent. In the north of its range, it occurs eastward to the north and south shores of Lake Erie in northern Ohio, Michigan, and Ontario, but is not known to occur much west of Illinois

Dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus

Linnaeus, 1758

CORYPHAENIDAE FAMILY
Also called dolphin, mahi mahi, dorado, goldmakrele, shiira.

Found worldwide in tropical and warm temperate seas, the dolphinfish is pelagic, schooling, and migratory. Though occasionally caught from an ocean pier, it is basically a deep-water species, inhabiting the surface of the open ocean. The dolphinfish is a distinctive fish, both for its shape and its colors. Though it is among the most colorful fish in the sea, the colors are quite variable and defy an accurate, simple description. Generally, when the fish is alive in the water, the dolphin is rich iridescent blue or blue green dorsally; gold, bluish gold, or silvery gold on the lower flanks; and silvery white or yellow on the belly. The sides are sprinkled with a mixture of dark and light spots, ranging from black or blue to golden. The dorsal fin is rich blue, and the anal fin is golden or silvery. The other fins are generally golden-yellow, edged with blue. When removed from the water, the colors fluctuate between blue, green, and yellow. After death the fish usually turns uniformly yellow or silvery gray.

Large males have high, vertical foreheads, while the female's forehead is rounded. Males grow larger than females.

They are extremely fast swimmers and feed extensively on flying fish and squid as well as on other small fish. They have a particular affinity for swimming beneath buoys, seaweed, logs, and floating objects of almost any kind.

Hooked dolphin may leap or tailwalk, darting first in one direction, then another. It is believed that they can reach speeds up to 50 mph (80.5 kph) in short bursts. Successful fishing methods include trolling surface baits (flying fish, mullet, balao, squid, strip baits) or artificial lures; also live bait fishing or casting. If the first dolphin caught is kept in the water, it will usually hold the school, and often others will come near enough to be caught by casting.

In addition to being a highly rated game fish, the dolphin is a delicious food fish. It is referred to as the “dolphinfish” to distinguish it from the dolphin of the porpoise family, which is a mammal and in no way related

Perch, yellow Perca flavescens

Mitchill, 1814

PERCIDAE FAMILY
Also called lake perch, American perch, ringed perch, striped perch, coon perch, jack perch

The yellow perch is a widespread species in the northern United States and in Canada. Although it occurs in nearly every U.S. state today, due to stocking, it is sparsely distributed in the South and through most of the West and Midwest. It blankets the northern U.S.A. and Canada, except British Columbia and the northern territories. In the east it ranges from Nova Scotia to the Santee River drainage, South Carolina and west through the Great Lakes states to the edge of British Columbia and into Washington. A narrow contingent extends north through Great Slave Lake almost to Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories, Canada.

The yellow perch, unlike the so called white perch, Morone americana, is a true perch, not a bass. Its most striking characteristic is its golden yellow body with 6 8 dark “fingers” or bands which extend from the back towards the belly.

Although the average size caught by anglers is 4 12 oz (0.1 0.34 kg) it provides fast action and can be caught all year long. It will devour almost any natural bait and many types of artificials, including flies, and is an active feeder even in the winter when it is caught while ice fishing.

It is one ofthe most abundant and well-known pan-fish in the northeastern United States. The flesh is white, flaky and delicious

Crappie, white Pomoxis annularis

Rafinesque, 1818

CENTRARCHIDAE FAMILY
Also called papermouth, bachelor perch

Native to the eastern half of the U.S. and southern Ontario west of the Appalachians, this species has also been introduced throughout the continental United Stares. It is missing from most of peninsular Florida and from some north, central and midwestern states.

The white crappie and black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) are two of the most distinctive members of the sunfish and black bass family. Crappies closely resemble the sunfish with their deep, roundish (in profile), greatly compressed bodies and small heads. The crappies can be identified even at a distance by their lighter colored bodies (olive to black above, with silvery sides) generously covered with black spots (though the spots are often more vague in the white crappie), and by their almost identical dorsal and anal fins.

Crappies can be distinguished from each other by the number of spines in the dorsal fin; 6 in the white crappie and 7 8 in the black crappie. The white crappie is the only sunfish with the same number of spines in both the dorsal and anal fins. Also, the spots on the white crappie are neatly arranged into 7 9 vertical bars on the sides, whereas in the black crappie the spots are scattered in an irregular fashion. In the white crappie the spots are sometimes vaguer, which may explain the names “white” and “black” crappie since in fact both fish are essentially the same color. The dorsal, anal, and tail fins are also spotted or mottled in both species, but the paired fins (pectorals and ventrals) are never spotted. As in all the sunfishes, the dorsal spines run together with the dorsal rays, but in the crappies, the spines and rays look distinctly like a single fin rather than like two connected fins.

The white crappie is not a bottom dweller and prefers shallower water than the black crappie. It is also better able to tolerate areas of high turbidity, being found in warm, weedy bays, silted streams, lakes, ponds, and muddy, slow moving areas of larger rivers. Like the black crappie, it is considered an excellent food and sport fish and has white flaky meat that is of excellent quality

Trevally, giant Caranx ignobilis

Forsskal, 1775

CARANGIDAE FAMILY
Also called turrum or ulua, previously known by the misnomers “lowly” or “lesser” trevally

Inhabits coral and rock reefs in warm coastal waters of the Indian and central Pacific Oceans, eastward to the Hawaiian and Marquesas Islands. Common in the waters off Kenya and other parts of Africa as well as off Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Hawaii. This is the most common of the trevallys found in Hawaii's and Kenya's waters.

The giant trevally, which grows to over 130 lb (62 kg), is the largest of the eight Caranx species which occur in the Indo Pacific region. It has a small oval shaped patch of scales in the center of the larger scaleless area on the breast in front of the ventral fins, distinguishing it from the bigeye trevally (Caranx (Caranx) sexfasciatus) whose breast is fully scaled. In some specimens (about 5%) this oval patch of scales is extensive enough to make detection of the scaleless area difficult. The body and head are usually very deep with a blunt snout. The lateral line is strongly curved anteriorly. The straight portion is covered with scutes; 25 33 in the giant trevally and 28 37 in the bigeye. The first dorsal fin consists of 8 spines, the second of 17 21 soft rays, and anal fin of 3 spines and 15 17 soft rays. Gill rakers on the first arch total 18 23. There is no spot on the operculum such as is found on the bigeye trevally, nor is there a spot at the base of the pectoral fins such as appears on the crevalle jacks (Caranx hippos and Caranx caninus), the close Atlantic and eastern Pacific relatives of this species.

Adults are sedentary, prefer rocky areas near shore or outside reef drop offs, and feed most actively at night. Hawaiian anglers report that the darker the night the more actively they feed. It is a highly rated sport fish in the waters of Hawaii and Kenya both for its large size and for the hard fight it gives. Fishing methods include surf fishing, drifting, or still fishing using live or cut baits. Trolling with baits and lures can also bring results. Baits and lures include mullet, herring, sauri, garfish, anchovy, squid, cut strip baits, Konaheads, knuckleheads, bulletheads, feathers, plastic jigs, plastic fish and squids, drone spoons, and rope lures. The pinkish flesh is highly esteemed as food in some areas and is also frequently used for strip baits, cut baits or chum

Tuna, bigeye (Pacific) Thunnus obesus

Lowe, 1836

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY

Found in warm temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, this schooling, pelagic, seasonally migratory species is suspected of making rather extensive migrations. Schools bigeye tuna generally run deep during the day. Schools of bluefin, yellowfin and some others are known to occasionally swim at the surface, especially in warm water.

The pectoral fins may reach to the second dorsal fin. The second dorsal and anal fins never reach back as far as those of large yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). It has a total of 23 31 gill rakers on the first arch. The margin of the liver is striated. The two dorsal fins are close set, the first having 13 14 spines and the second, 14 16 rays. The anal fin has 11 15 rays. On either side of the caudal peduncle there is a strong lateral keel between two small keels that are located slightly farther back on the tail. The scales are small except on the anterior corselet. The vent is oval or teardrop shaped, not round as in the albacore. The first dorsal fin is deep yellow. The second dorsal fin and the anal fin are blackish brown or yellow and may be edged with black. The finlets are bright yellow with narrow black edges. The tail does not have a white trailing edge like that of the albacore. Generally, there are no special markings on the body, but some specimens may have vertical rows of whitish spots on the venter.

At one time it was not recognized as a separate species but considered a variation of the yellowfin tuna. They are similar in many respects, but the bigeye second dorsal and anal fins never grow as long as those of the yellowfin. In the bigeye tuna the margin of the liver is striated and the right lobe is about the same size as the left lobe, in the yellowfin tuna the liver is smooth and the right lobe is clearly longer than either the left or the middle lobe.

Its diet includes squid, crustaceans, mullet, sardines, small mackerels and some deep water species. Fishing methods are trolling deep with squid, mullet or other small baits, or artificial lures and live bait fishing in deep

waters with similar baits. It is an excellent food or sport fish, an important commercial species.

Carp, common Cyprinus carpio

Linnaeus, 1758

CYPRINIDAE FAMILY
Also called carpe commune, carpa, Asian carp, karp, koi,

The carp's original range was limited to temperate Asia and the rivers of the Black Sea and Aegean basins, notably the Danube, in Europe. Today, they are widely distributed in North America below the 50th parallel south to the Florida panhandle. Besides North America, Europe, and Asia, it is also now found in South America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

This is one of the largest members of the “minnow” family, Cyprinidae, and a close relative of the goldfish (Carassius auratus), with which it hybridizes freely in nature. The carps closest look alikes may be the bigmouth and smallmouth buffalos (Ictiobus cyprinellus and I. bubalus), which despite their resemblance to the carp, belong to an entirely different family, Catostomidae (the “sucker” family). The carp, the goldfish, and the buffalos all grow fairly large (the goldfish to about 16 inches; the carp and buffalos much larger); all have deep bodies; relatively small, protractile mouths; a forked tail; a single, long dorsal fin on the back; and large scales. The coloration of their bodies is also similar, ranging from olive brown to gold. Still, all these species can be quite easily distinguished. The carp and the goldfish both have a single serrated spine at the beginning of the dorsal and anal fins. All the fins are soft on the buffalos, with no spines at all, only soft rays. The carp has two fleshy barbels on each side of the mouth, distinguishing it from the goldfish, which lacks barbels.

It is very prolific, an excellent survivor and is able to tolerate a wide range of conditions and bottom types, therefore making it an excellent species for pond culture.

In Europe, where the carp is highly regarded, farmed, and selectively bred, cultivated carp (referred to as “king” carp as opposed to wild carp) come in a variety of body shapes and squamation patterns. They may be fully scaled, partially scaled (“mirror” carp), or completely nude (“leather” carp). They are still the same species and after a few generations in the wild, will revert to their normal wild form

Parrotperch, Japanese Oplegnathus fasciatus

Kroyer, 1845

OPLEGNATHIDAE FAMILY
Also called knifefish, hoofjaws, horseshoe jaws

The ishidai is especially abundant in western Japan, but it is can be found on every coast of Japan and also in Hawaii. It inhabits coastal waters from shoreline to about 150-m (500 ft) depth especially in the vicinity of rocky areas.

Members of the Oplegnatidae or knifefish family are sometimes called parrotfish or false parrotfishes, although they are unrelated to the true parrotfishes (Scaridae family). The teeth of both jaws are fused into cutting plates like the “beak” of parrotfishes which allows them to easily break the shells of snails or barnacles.

The ishidai body is oblong-oval and moderately compressed with very small scales. There is a single dorsal fin with the spinous base much longer than the base of the soft portion. Adult isihidai have a low spinous dorsal fin. The spinous and soft dorsal fins are about the same height and are continuous in juveniles. In young individuals, the body is marked by about seven darker, vertical bands that gradually disappear with age. Very large fish generally have solid colors in grays and browns with the snout becoming black. (see parrotperch, spotted

Whitefish, mountain Prosopium williamsoni

Girard, 1856

SALMONIDAE FAMILY
Also called Rocky Mountain whitefish, Williamson's whitefish, grayling

Endemic to the lakes and streams of the northwestern U.S. and southwestern Canada, from the Lahontan basin in Nevada north to the southern border of the Yukon Territory. It occurs inland into Alberta in Canada and Wyoming in the U.S. Its range overlaps that of the widespread lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) in British Columbia and Alberta, and slightly overlaps that of the round whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) in extreme northern British Columbia near the Yukon border.

Like other salmonids, it has an adipose fin and an axillary process. The mouth, however, is slightly subterminal with the snout extending clearly beyond it. The body is silvery overall. The back is brownish to olive. The scales often have pigmented borders, especially on the back. The ventral and pectoral fins may have an amber hue in adults. The body is nearly cylindrical, but not quite as cylindrical as the body of the round whitefish. It is nevertheless among the species referred to as “round whitefishes”, and is therefore distinguishable from the lake whitefish which has a laterally compressed body.

Though not as important as the lake whitefish, the mountain whitefish has gained some popularity as a sport fish and can be taken by fly fishing or casting with small baits. It provides a considerable winter fishery in places, particularly where steelheads are absent. The flesh is tasty and of good quality

Leerfish (Garrick) Lichia amia

Linnaeus, 1758

CARANGIDAE FAMILY
Also known as garrick, leervis

It is found throughout the Mediterranean Sea and in the eastern Atlantic Ocean along the entire coasts of the Iberian Peninsula and western Africa to the Cape, then north along the eastern African coast to Delagoa Bay (Maputo, Mozambique). It is a coastal species forming small schools in the surf zone off beaches and rocky promontories. The leerfish is seasonally migratory, some populations moving south to the Cape in summer and north to Natal in winter, possibly following the sardine run which occurs at the same time.

Overall, this is a silvery fish with a leathery, scaleless appearance, though in fact it does possess minute embedded scales. The back is dusky to brown or blue gray, and the lower surface of the belly is white. The fin lobes may be black or dusky tipped. The dart like body is further identified by the unusually curvy, sinuous lateral line, which arches high over the pectoral fins, then dips to or below the pectoral fins, then rises back to the midline as it nears the tail. There is a prominent lobe at the beginning of the long second dorsal and anal fins, a characteristic typical of many species of the jack and trevally family. Unlike many members of the family, however, the leerfish has short pectoral fins and no scutes.

The leerfish is a highly rated sport fish that can be caught by angling from the rocks or shore. It takes both live baits, such as mullets or sardines, and lures with zeal. It is not uncommon to see leerfish pursuing bluefish or mullet on the surface along the coasts. It is rated fair for edibility

Piranha, red Pygocentrus nattereri

CHARACIDAE FAMILY
Also called piranha-caju, carube bica de locha, palometa, prianha vermelha, pana

The red piranha, hails from South America; the Amazon Basin, Paraguay Parana Basin, Northeast Brazilian coastal rivers, Essequibo Basin. It also has been introduced to reservoirs. It is common in creeks and interconnected ponds in Matto Grosso, Brazil and in Rio Machado and Rio Negro. Red piranha swim in large schools, making this carnivorous species a formidable hunting group. The large schools can be a nuisance to sport fishermen, requiring them to make a move or catch only piranha.

The stocky body is oval in shape with a blunt head, protruding lower jaw and single rows of very sharp, triangular teeth in each jaw. Teeth are replaced on alternating sides of the jaw, allowing continuous feeding. With its brilliant red belly, the red piranha is the considered to be the most beautiful of the piranha species.

This extremely aggressive species is relatively easily caught on natural or artificial baits. It will enthusiastically attack plugs as large or larger than itself. Red piranha reportedly grow to 13 in (33 cm) and 9 lb (4 kg). Even small fish should be handled with respect. Piranhas tend to snap their jaws defensively and careless handling can result in serious injury.

All piranha are considered good table fare. In some regions they are highly sought as food

Trevally, golden Gnathanodon speciosus

Forsscål, 1775

CARANGIDAE FAMILY
Also called goldie, golden, gold-barred jack, talakitok, yellow ulua, carange d'or.

Golden trevally have a wide international distribution, extending from the Indo-Pacific eastward to the Americas where they are found from Baja, California to Ecuador.

The coloration sets this fish apart from other species of trevallies. In juveniles the color tends to be golden with the belly and sides flushed with beautiful metallic yellow, usually broken by vertical, alternating broad and narrow black bars. This color and the bars tend to fade with age, with the bars deterioating into a few black blotches in specimens over 50 cm (19.7 in). The golden trevally is also distinguished by large fleshy lips and lack of descernible teeth.

This species occurs in deep lagoon and seaward reefs where they feed by rooting for crustaceans and other invertebrates in the sand. It also feeds on small fishes. Small juveniles live among the tentacles of jellyfish. The golden trevally frequently forms schools and is known to swim closely around sharks and other large fish, to gain protection from likely predators.

Golden trevally are sportfish that are highly regarded by anglers and respond to a wide range of baits and flies. While they will readily take surface lures, golden trevallies are not surface fighters, they tend to stay down deep and will not give up until tired.

If this trevally is kept for the table, it should be bled, gutted, filleted and iced down as soon as possible

Marlin, black Istiompax indica

Cuvier, 1831

ISTIOPHORIDAE FAMILY
Also called white marlin (Japan), silver marlin (Hawaii)

Occurs in the tropical Indian and Pacific oceans. In tropical areas distribution is scattered but continuous in open waters; denser in coastal areas and near islands. In temperate waters occurrence is rare. A few stray black marlin travel around the Cape of Good Hope into the Atlantic. Some have been known to cross the ocean from there, traveling in a southwesterly direction as far as Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, or in a northwesterly direction as far as the Atlantic coasts of the Lesser Antilles. Such excursions are, however, regarded as exceptional. Little is known of the migrations of this pelagic species, but they do not appear to be extensive except in unusual cases.

It can be quickly and positively identified since it is the only marlin that have rigid pectoral fins that cannot be folded flat up against the body without breaking the joints. It is also set apart by the airfoil shape of the pectoral fins and by its very short ventral fins, which almost never exceed 12 in (30 cm) in length, regardless of the size of the fish. The first dorsal fin is proportionately the lowest of any billfish, usually less than 50 percent of the body depth. The body is laterally compressed, rather than rounded; much more so than in similar sized blue marlin.

The body is slate blue dorsally, changing abruptly to silvery white below the lateral line. When feeding or leaping, the black marlin may display light blue vertical stripes on the sides (see striped marlin coloration). Slight variations in color cause some specimens to have a silvery haze over the body. In Hawaii this has led to the name “silver marlin” (once thought to be a separate species).

A highly rated game fish, the black marlin has the power, size, and persistence of which anglers dream. Its diet consists of squid and pelagic fishes. Fishing methods include trolling with large, whole baits (mackerel, bonito, flying fish, squid and others) or with artificial lures. Live bait is also effective.

Though there are some exceptions, giant black marlin are larger than giant blue marlin taken on rod and reel. This may be because large black marlin are more accessible and more often occur within the range of sportfishing vessels. Blue marlin, or any marlin, larger than 300 lb (136 kg) are almost always females. A 500 lb (226.7 kg) male is a rarity

Weakfish Cynoscion regalis

Bloch, Schneider, 1801

SCIAENIDAE FAMILY
Also called squeteague, common weakfish, common sea trout, gray trout, summer trout, tiderunner

Inhabits the western Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Massachusetts, with isolated records of it occurring as far north as Nova Scotia. The centers of abundance are from North Carolina to Florida in the winter and from Delaware to New York in the summer. It is a schooling fish that occurs in shore over sandy bottoms in the summer and in deeper water, up to 55 fathoms, in the winter. It may be found in the surf, in bays, or in estuaries of rivers and creeks, but does not venture into fresh water.

The name “weakfish” refers to the tender, easily torn membrane of the fish's mouth, rather than to its fighting ability. The lower jaw of the weakfish clearly projects beyond the upper jaw. Two large, recurvant canine teeth in the front of the upper jaw stand out noticeably. The first dorsal fin has 10 spines. The second has 1 spine and 26 29 soft rays. The anal fin has 2 spines and 11 12 rays. The scales are ctenoid and extend onto the soft dorsal and anal fins. In the similar looking spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) the scales do not extend onto the fins. Also, there are 11 13 gill rakers on the lower limb of the first gill arch in the weakfish, but only 8 9 in the spotted seatrout. Numerous small spots of black, olive or bronze are set close together on the upper flanks of the weakfish and seem to form wavy diagonal lines. The spots do not extend onto the tail or the second dorsal fin as they do in the spotted seatrout, nor are they as large or as widely spaced. There is sometimes a black margin on the tip of the tongue.

It is omnivorous and feeds on crabs, shrimp, other crustaceans, mollusks and small fishes like herring, menhaden, silversides, killifish and butterfish which it may catch in midwater or at the surface.

They may be taken at any level from the bottom to the surface by chumming from a drifting or anchored boat or by trolling, jigging, or surf fishing. Conventional, spinning and fly tackle may be used. They may also be taken from bridges, docks and piers. When hooked on light tackle the weakfish is prone to give a long initial run with sudden, unpredictable changes in direction. It is reputed to be the gamest species of the Cynoscion genus.

The meat is white and tender with a high moisture content and the flavor is excellent. The skin is usually left on during cooking to hold the meat together and the bones are easily removed once the meat is cooked. It does not keep well and should be eaten soon after capture

Pellona, Amazon Pellona castelnaeana

Valenciennes 1847

CLUPEIDAE FAMILY
Also called sardinata, apapa, yellow apapa,

This South American species occurs in the Amazon system (Iquitos on Peruvian Amazon and Ambyiacos River in Ecuador to Manáos and perhaps Pará), the Guianas (Lake Amuku area where the Amazon and Essequibo systems join in wet years). It occurs in rivers, apparently not entering the sea, although presumably tolerating at least some salinity at the Amazon mouth.

Amazon pellona or sardinata belong to the same family as sardines and the American shad. It closely resembles a giant American shad. But, growing up to 20 lb (9.1 kg), they greatly exceed the maximum expected weight of 12 lb (5.4 kg) for their North American cousin.

They are schooling fish that feed on the surface near the river banks and deep channels, often herding baitfish upon which it feeds. Amazon pellona are vigorous fighters capable of powerful sustained runs and frequent jumps. Once hooked, the fish frequently leaps four or five feet up into the air, putting on amazing aerial displays. When tired, they turn their sides to the current, which adds to their ability to resist being landed. They take a variety of baits and lures, especially on top, and present a unique challenge for the baitcasting, spinning and fly fishing enthusiasts.

Targeting this species will add greatly to the experience of anglers in South American

Trout, brown Salmo trutta

Linnaeus, 1758

SALMONIDAE FAMILY
Also called German brown trout, European brown trout, sea trout, lake trout, brook trout, river trout, bull trout, English trout, von Behr trout, Lochleven trout, German trout, breac, gealag, brownie

Native to Europe and parts of Asia, from Afghanistan and the Aral Sea across Europe to the British Isles and Iceland, and back across Scandinavia to Poluostrov Kanin (Cape Kanin), in Russia, on the Barents Sea. It has been introduced in other areas, notably, Newfoundland, Canada, U.S.A., South America, New Zealand, and Africa. Today it is found throughout the U.S.A. in the Great Lakes area, south in the Appalachians to the northern edge of Georgia, south in some high gradient streams and rivers of the Mississippi River drainage system, throughout much of Nebraska, and in every state west of Texas and Nebraska to the Pacific coast.

It resembles its relative, the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Despite the historical common names “salmon” and “trout”, these two species belong to the same genus Salmo (see Salmon, Atlantic). Both have black spots on the back, upper sides, and on the gill cover, and sometimes have red spots. In fresh water especially near spawning time, both species are bronze to dark brown in general coloration, with black and (usually) red spots on the body and head. In salt water both species tend to become silvery with fewer black spots and no red spots.

Though both often occur in the same areas, they can usually be distinguished without laboratory analysis. In fresh water, brown trouts as a rule, are more heavily spotted than Atlantic salmon and usually a good number of these spots are surrounded by lighter halos. The spots on the Atlantic salmon have no halos and usually some of the spots will take the shape of X's or Y's, which is not usually the case in the brown trout. The brown trout also has dark spots on the dorsal and adipose fins and vague spots on the tail, though nothing like the prominent radiating spots on the tail of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The Atlantic salmon has no clear spots on any of these fins. Also, the brown trout's tail is squarish or very slightly concave or convex, while the Atlantic salmon's tail is slightly forked or indented. In juveniles the difference is much more obvious. The tail is slightly forked in the brown trout and deeply forked in the Atlantic salmon. Otherwise, these parr (young Salmonids) look very much alike with small exceptions. A positive distinction between these two species, usually observed in the laboratory, is that the brown trout has well developed vomerine teeth in a double zigzag row, while the Atlantic salmon has only a single row of poorly developed vomerine teeth.

The brown trout, like the Atlantic salmon, is one of the world's most widely distributed and highly esteemed freshwater (or anadromous) fish. It is a prime target of fly fishermen and one of the most difficult of trouts to catch by any angling method. It will sometimes be spooked by the bait or fly and at other times it will simply ignore it.

They sometimes hybridizes with the brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) producing a strikingly marked fish called a tiger trout. Few of the eggs or hatchlings of this cross survive due to genetic differences between the two genera, and the offspring is unable to reproduce

Snook, Atlantic Centropomus spp

CENTROPOMIDAE FAMILY
Also called robalo; (western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico: C. parallelus Poey, 1860, fat; C. pectinatus Poey, 1860, tarpon; C. undecimalis (Bloch, 1792), common; C. mexicanus Bocourt, 1868, Constantino or Guianan ; C. ensiferus Poey, 1860, swordspine or swordfin; C. poeyi Chávez, 1961, Mexican and (eastern Pacific: C. nigrescens Günther, 1864, black snook; C. unionensis Bocourt, 1868, humpback or union; C. armatus Gill, 1863, longspine; C. viridis Lockington, 1877, white; C. medius Günther, 1864, blackfin; C. robalito Jordan & Gilbert, 1882, yellowfin)

The genus Centropomus is confined to the American tropics and subtropics. Six species occur in the Atlantic and six in the Pacific. None occur in both oceans. They inhabit shallow coastal waters, estuaries and brackish lagoons, often penetrating far inland in fresh water. Their movements between fresh and salt water are seasonal, but they stay close to shore and never stray far from estuaries.

They are very distinctive and it would be difficult to confuse them with any other fishes. The lower jaw protrudes and a highly prominent black lateral line runs from the top of the gill cover along the sides and all the way through the tail. The body is compressed and the snout depressed and pike like. Two dorsal fins are separated by a gap. The second anal spine is conspicuous, spurlike, much thicker than the first and third. The margin of the preopercle is serrate, with 1 5 enlarged denticles at angle.

One of the axioms relating to fish species is that the colors will likely be variable depending on season, habitat, and/or any number of other conditions. The snook is no exception. The back of the snook may be brown, brown gold, olive green, dark gray, greenish silver, or black, depending largely on the areas the fish inhabits. The flanks and belly are silvery.

Its diet consists mainly of fish and crustaceans. Fishing methods include trolling or casting artificial lures or still fishing with live baits like pinfish, mullet, shrimp, crabs, or other small fish. Best fishing is said to be on the changing tide, especially high falling tide around river mouths and coastal shores and night fishing from bridges and in ocean inlets. A flooding or rising tide is more productive at creek heads.

An excellent table fish with delicate, white, flaky meat, it is a member of the Centropomidae family, which also includes the 200 lb (90.72 kg) Nile perch (Lates niloticus) and the barramundi (Lates calcarifer). It usually matures by the third year and has a life span of at least seven years. It is very sensitive to temperature and may not survive at temperatures below about 60oF (15oC).

Mackerel, Spanish Scomberomorus maculatus

Mitchill, 1815

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY


Occurs in the western Atlantic north to the Chesapeake Bay and occasionally to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and south to Yucatan, Mexico.

The Spanish mackerel can be distinguished from both the cero mackerel, Scomberomorus regalis, and the king mackerel, S. cavalla, by the presence of bronze or yellow spots but no stripes, on the sides and by the lack of scales on the pectoral fins. The cero, the Spanish mackerel's closest look alike in the Atlantic, has both spots and stripes of bronze or yellow on the sides, and the king mackerel has neither spots nor stripes. Both the cero and the king mackerel have scales on the pectoral fins.

The anterior portion of the first dorsal fin in the Spanish mackerel is black (not true of the king mackerel), and the second dorsal fin and pectoral fins may be black tipped. The body is essentially silvery and typically mackerel like. The back is bluish.

This is an excellent game fish that can be taken on a wide variety of lures and baits. Nylon jigs are considered one of the best lures, especially when retrieved rapidly with an occasional jerk of the rod tip to impact a darting motion to the jig. Feather lures and spoons are also successful, while minnows and live shrimp are the best natural baits. Occasionally almost any lure or bait will work, while at other times, nothing will.

Spanish mackerel are a good food fish and although they are considered large at 10 lb (4.53 kg) some record specimens will grow to more than twice that size

Pike, northern Esox lucius

Linnaeus, 1758

ESOCIDAE FAMILY
Also called great northern pike, great northern pickerel, jack, jackfish

This is a holarctic species, meaning that it occurs around the world in northern, or Arctic waters. In North America it is found in the Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific, Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins from Labrador to Alaska and south to Pennsylvania, Missouri and Nebraska, USA. In Northern Eurasia pike are found from France to eastern Siberia and south to northern Italy.

Like the muskellunge, Esox masquinongy, and the pickerels, E. niger and E. americanus, it is a long, sleek, predatory fish with a broad, flat mouth resembling a duck's bill, and a single dorsal fin located on the posterior portion of the body. In body shape the members of the pike group are all identical, but the northern pike can be distinguished from its relatives by three main features. Most noticeably the greenish or yellowish sides of the fish are covered with lighter colored oblong horizontal spots or streaks, whereas all other species have darker markingsthan the background color. The second distinction is the scalation pattern on the gill cover and cheek. In the northern pike the cheek is fully scaled, but the bottom half of the gill cover is scaleless. In the larger muskellunge, both the bottom half of the gill cover and the bottom half of the cheek are scaleless. In the smaller pickerels the gill cover and the cheek are both fully scaled. The third distinctive feature is the number of pores under each side of the lower jaw; usually 5 in the northern pike (rarely 3, 4 or 6 on one side), 6 9 in the muskellunge (rarely 5 or 10 on one side), and 4 in the smaller pickerels (occasionally 3 or 5 on one side only).

It is considered a delicious food fish. The flesh is sweet, white and flaky, but like other members of its genus, it sometimes has a “weedy” or “muddy” taste during the summer months. This taste is probably due to the skin mucus and can be eliminated by removing the skin prior to cooking. It has considerable commercial value and is an excellent sport fish. Pike are usually taken by trolling with large spoons, plugs or natural baits, but casting and still fishing are also frequently successful

Perch, European Perca fluviatilis

Linnaeus, 1758

PERCIDAE FAMILY
Also called perch, English perch, percha fluviatili, perche (in French)

The European perch is a widespread species throughout Eurasia (and has been widely introduced elsewhere) that is very popular with freshwater anglers. Its popularity with anglers is undoubtedly due to the diverse habitats in which it can be found including estuarine lagoons, lakes, rivers and streams.

One of only three extant members of the genus Perca, European perch can be distinguished from all other members of the Percidae family in Europe by 1) pelvic and anal fins yellow to red in color, 2) a conspicuous spot in the posterior part of the first dorsal fin and 3) 5-8 dark bars across the flanks that are often Y-shaped.

European perch have been recorded to live as long as 22 years. Males reach reproductive maturity at 1-2 years of age, while females don’t begin spawning until 2-4 years. Spawning generally takes place from February to July, depending on location. Juvenile perch are opportunistic predators that feed on a variety of benthic invertebrates. Once they reach roughly 12 cm in standard length, they become more piscivorous in nature, with an increasing amount of their diet consisting of small fishes.

Perch are highly sought after by anglers because they can be caught using a wide variety of baits. As with most fish, live or dead bait works extremely well and maggots, worms and craysfish are all reported to work well. Baits may be fished from a float near the surface or on the bottom, depending on the depth of the water. They will also readily hit artificial lures such as small spoons, plugs, jigs and also flies. They are also a common target for ice fishermen, especially in Scandinavia and Russia. European perch are also widely considered to be one of the best eating freshwater species of fish.

Buri (Japanese amberjack) Seriola quinqueradiata

Temminck, Schlegel, 1845

CARANGIDAE FAMILY
Also called Buri

Japanese amberjack occur primarily from the Northwest Pacific around Japan and the eastern Korean peninsula to the Hawaiian Islands. They are plankton feeders and are known to exhibit shoaling behavior. They bear a superficial resemblance to yellowtail (Seriola landi), but can be distinguished by the angular appearance of the upper rear edge of the jaw and the pelvic and pectoral fins of equal length.

Buri are highly esteemed by those who chase them. The collection of juveniles is the basis for prosperous aquaculture in Japan; they are raised in captivity and marketed fresh for sashimi.

Pickerel, chain Esox niger

Lesueur, 1818

ESOCIDAE FAMILY
Also called eastern pickerel, eastern chain pickerel, lake pickerel, reticulated pickerel, federation pickerel, mud pickerel, green pike, black chain pike, duck billed pike, picquerelle.

It inhabits the eastern United States and Canada, from Nova Scotia southward through all of the Atlantic coast states and most of Florida, and westward through Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana to as far as the Navasota River in eastern Texas. From Louisiana, it extends northward in the Mississippi River drainage through eastern Arkansas to southeastern Missouri and southwestern Kentucky.

All members of the genus Esox look very much alike, especially when young. The chain pickerel can be recognized by its markings. The sides which are yellowish to greenish (almost black when young) are overlaid with a reticulated, or chain like, pattern of black lines. Also, the pickerels (including the redfin and grass pickerels), have fully scaled cheeks and gill covers. The northern pike usually has no scales on the bottom half of the gill cover, and the muskellunge, E. masquinongy, usually has no scales on the bottom half of either the gill cover or the cheek.

The flesh is white and flaky, and very tasty during the winter months. In summer, however, the taste is not as good. Removing the skin before cooking may remedy this

Barramundi Lates calcarifer

Bloch, 1792

LATIDAE FAMILY
Also called silver barramundi, giant perch, palmer, cock up, barra, anama (indigenous name, Port Moresby)

The barramundi occurs from northern Australia (primarily north of the Tropic of Capricorn, but rarely as far south as the Maroochy River) to the Philippines and southern China and around the coasts of India to the Persian Gulf. It is a catadromous fish, growing to maturity in fresh water and moving downstream with the onset of the summer monsoon season in October to spawn on the mud flats and in the mouths of estuaries in water of about 2 to 3 percent salinity.

The barramundi is a distinctive fish that bears a noticeable resemblance to its relative the snook, (Centropomus undecimalis). It is also closely related to the huge Nile perch, (Lates niloticus). One of its most noticeable characteristics is its startling pinkish red eyes, which glow brilliantly at night and even reflect in sunlight. The sides are silvery and the back has a greenish gray tint. The maxillae of the huge mouth extend back beyond the eyes. The head is relatively long and flattened on top.

The barramundi's gill flaps are particularly sharp edged and will slice through fishing line and nets readily. The two dorsal fins are set close together. The tail is more or less rounded. The lateral line is a highly developed sensory organ in the barramundi that can detect vibrations in the water. Consequently, some anglers suggest that a lure should “swim” through the water with an action resembling that of a wounded fish. This creates a vibration that the barramundi can detect and identify.

Live mullets, minnows, barra frogs, and prawns are the barramundi's natural prey and the best live baits; but artificial lures can be deadly at times. Trolling along the banks is probably the most popular fishing method, but by casting from shore, an angler can work in among the snags and brush where barramundi hide and where a trolled lure won't reach..

Barramundi are hermaphrodites; they start life as males, then transform into females after about the second year.

The barramundi is an excellent food fish, reported to be “of gourmet quality.

Yellowtail, California Seriola lalandi

Gill, 1863

CARANGIDAE FAMILY

Occurs in some abundance throughout the Gulf of California and along the Pacific coast of North America from Baja California, Mexico to Los Angeles, California. Less commonly, it has been reported farther north, and on rare occasions, as far north as Washington. (See yellowtail, southern

Pompano, Florida Trachinotus carolinus

Linnaeus, 1766

CARANGIDAE FAMILY
Also called pompano, common pompano, Carolina pompano

Florida pompano occur in the western Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts, USA through the Gulf of Mexico and in the West Indies to Brazil, but absent from clear waters of Bahamas and similar islands. They can be found in the surf zone, major bays with sandy bottoms, and in coastal waters. Their local movements are tidally influenced and their seasonal movements are influenced by water temperature.

Often confused with permit (trachinotus falcatus), pompano have more soft dorsal (22-27) and anal fin rays (20-24). In addition, the dorsal profile of pompano is not as steep as it is for permit and the dorsal and anal fins are not as elongated. Pompano have relatively small mouths and the body is relatively deep, flat, and almost entirely silvery with a dark bluish back and yellowish belly, anal fin, and caudal fin.

Unlike permit that are common to 40 pounds, pompano rarely grow larger than 6 pounds but, like most members of the jack family, are an excellent fighting fish for their size. They are schooling, bottom feeders and their main diet consists of mollusks, crustaceans, other small invertebrates and fish. Pompano are sought after for their white, flaky meat and are one of the highest priced marine foods in the USA.

Rockfish, yelloweye Sebastes ruberrimus

Jordan, Gilbert 1883

SCORPAENIDAE(SEBASTIDAE) FAMILY
Also called red snapper, rasphead rockfish, turkey-red rockfish

Occurs in the eastern Pacific from the Gulf of Alaska to northern Baja California, Mexico where it inhabits rocky reefs and boulder fields in 60 to 1800 feet (46 –550 m) where they seek shelter in caves and crevices.

Although the yelloweye rockfish is know to many anglers as “red snapper” it is not related. It is one of the many red species of rockfishes in the eastern Pacific. Similar species include the canary and vermilion rockfishes but both have red eyes and different coloration. The body of a yelloweye rockfish is orange red to orange yellow and the fins may be black at the edges. Adults usually have light to white lateral lines. The eye is brilliant yellow. Raspy head spines are present in adult yelloweye rockfish. Juvenile coloration is so different that they were once described as a separate species. Juveniles have a rather dark background with a light stripe along the whole lateral line to the base of the caudal fin where the stripe divides at right angles to surround the caudal peduncle. A second, shorter line is found below the lateral line.

Like most rockfishes, yelloweye rockfish are most often landed in deep water by anglers bottom-fishing. Because they are found at great depth, heavy weights are used to present the baits and jigs. Because or their size, yelloweyes are one of the largest rockfishes, beautiful coloration infrequently landing, they are one of the most prized of all “bottomfishes.”

The delicate white flesh of this rockfish make it a favorite of seafood eating anglers. With a lower oil content than other rockfishes, the yelloweye rockfish is particularly delicious deep-fried

Tuna, blackfin Thunnus atlanticus

Lesson, 1830

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called Bermuda tuna, blackfinned albacore

Occurs in tropical and warm temperate waters of the western Atlantic Ocean. There are scattered records of blackfin tuna occurring as far north as Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, but the usual range is from North Carolina to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

The pectoral fins reach to somewhere between the twelfth dorsal spine and the origin of the second dorsal fin but they never extend beyond the second dorsal fin as in the albacore. There is a total of 19-25 (usually 21-23) gill rakers on the first arch (15-19 are on the lower limb), which is fewer than in any other species of Thunnus. The finlets are uniformly dark, without a touch of the bright lemon yellow usually present in those of other tunas. Light bars alternate with light spots on the lower flanks.

This is a pelagic, schooling fish that generally feeds near the surface. Its diet consists of small fishes, squid, crustaceans, and plankton. An excellent light tackle species, it can be taken by trolling or casting small baits or lures, including ballyhoo, mullet and other small fishes as well as strip baits, spoons, feathers, jigs, or plugs; or by live bait fishing from boats at the surface of deep waters one to two miles offshore. It has some local commercial importance, but is predominantly an angler's fish. It is a spunky game species and the flesh is of good quality and flavor

Tunny, little Euthynnus alletteratus

Rafinesque, 1810

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called little tuna, Atlantic little tunny, false albacore

Occurs in tropical and warm temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean from the New England states and Bermuda to Brazil and from South Africa to Biscay or Great Britain. They are also in the Mediterranean. It is a pelagic, schooling, migratory species.

It is most easily distinguished from similar species by its markings. It has a scattering of dark spots resembling fingerprints between the pectoral and ventral fins that are not present on any related Atlantic species. It also has wavy, “worm like” markings on the back. These markings are above the lateral line within a well marked border, and never extend farther forward than about the middle of the first dorsal fin. The markings are the same as in the closely related Pacific kawakawa (Euthynnus affinis) but are unlike those of any other Atlantic species.

Flocks of diving seabirds are often indicative of the presence of a school of little tunny, which may consist of many thousands of individuals. Because this species feeds on small pelagic fishes near the surface, any school feeding action tends to attract and excite birds. Fishing methods include trolling or casting from boats using small whole baits, strip baits, or small lures such as spoons, plugs, jigs, and feathers. A few little tunny may be caught from shore. The dark flesh is esteemed by some and disdained by others

Pompano, African Alectis ciliaris

Bloch, 1787

CARANGIDAE FAMILY
Also called Cuban jack, Atlantic threadfin, threadfin, pennantfish, cobblerfish

The African pompano is the largest and most widespread species of the genus Alectis. It can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the lower number of gill rakers on the first branchial arch (18 22 as opposed to 30 35 in A. indicus of the Indo Pacific and even more in A. alexandrinus of Mediterranean and West African waters).

It is characterized by 4 6 elongated, thread like rays in the front part of the second dorsal and anal fins. In juveniles the first two of these rays may be four times as long as the fish. Normally, the rays tend to disappear or erode away as the fish grows. It also undergoes changes in body shape as it grows. The body of juveniles is short and deep. The spines of the first dorsal fin are visible, though not very prominent at this stage. By the time the fish is 14 in (35 36 cm) long, the body is more elongated and the forehead is steeper. In both juveniles and adults of A. ciliaris the body is strongly compressed. The lateral line arches smoothly but steeply above the pectoral fins. Larger specimens are light bluish green above and silvery over most of the remainder of the body. They may have dark blotches on the operculum on the dorsal side of the caudal peduncle, and on the anterior portion of the second dorsal and anal fins.

It is a strong fighter and an excellent light tackle game fish. It will take small live or dead baits, as well as lures, jigs and feathers. It is usually caught incidentally while trolling for other species.

The name African pompano is misleading, since the fish is actually a member of the jack family

Redhorse, shorthead Moxostoma macrolepidotum

Lesueur, 1817

CATOSTOMIDAE FAMILY
Also called northern redhorse, northern shorthead redhorse, common redhorse, red sucker, short headed mullet, redfin, redfin sucker, bigscale sucker

The shorthead redhorse is a relatively widespread species of the northeastern U.S. and Canada. Three subspecies are recognized. One is widespread in the Ohio basin, another in the Ozark uplands and adjacent areas, and the third throughout the remainder of the species' range. Their combined distribution extends throughout the Great Lakes region north to the Hudson Bay, east to Montreal and Vermont, and south to South Carolina and the extreme northern portions of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Found as far west as Oklahoma in the southern U.S., Montana in the northern U.S. and Alberta in Canada. A small disjunct population occurs at a point on the border between Oklahoma and Texas.

This is by far the most wide ranging and common species of sucker as well as being one of the most colorful. The fins range from bright orange to deep red and the sides from silver to gold or bronze. The belly is lighter, ranging from dusky yellow to milk white. The fins contain only soft rays and there are no teeth. Typical of the redhorse is the single dorsal fin located near the middle of the back. The edge of the dorsal fin on the shorthead is emarginate or concave, distinguishing it from the silver redhorse, Moxostoma anisurum, in which the top edge of the dorsal fin is rounded. As its name indicates the shorthead has an unusually short head (17 19% of the fish's total length). There are no scales on the head.

It has some value as a sport fish today and is actively sought by a good number of anglers. The flesh of the shorthead is tasty and sweet, but contains many small bones

Buffalo, smallmouth Ictiobus bubalus

Rafinesque, 1818

CATOSTOMIDAE FAMILY
Also called razorback buffalo, roachback, thicklipped buffalo

Second in size in the sucker family the smallmouth buffalo is found in the same general areas of North America as the bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus), and has been introduced into Arizona.

It resembles its large relative, the bigmouth buffalo, closely in most respects, but can be distinguished by a number of factors. It is generally lighter in color than other buffalos, having an olive bronze cast. Also the body is somewhat more compressed with a higher arch in the back, and the small, subterminal mouth is almost horizontal instead of slanted, though it protracts downward in typical sucker fashion when the fish is feeding.

It is reputed to be an even better food fish than the bigmouth buffalo, but the species is less

Tench Tinca tinca

Linnaeus, 1758

CYPRINIDAE FAMILY
Also called alia, tinca, zeelt, suter, lin, curaman

The tench occurs in Europe, including the British Isle and Asia. It has also been introduced in North America, Australia and New Zealand.

Tench are thickset members of the carp family with extremely small scales and thin barbles at the corners of the mouth. Tench prefer mud-bottom lakes and ponds or the still waters of the lower reaches of rivers where rooted aquatic plants grow in profusion. They are very tolerant of low oxygen saturations and can occur in weak brackish water. Tench can stay alive for a long time when taken out of the water.

This hard fighting freshwater fish takes bait delicately, and as dedicated tench fishermen can attest, they easily become tackle shy. Devoted tench anglers employ a variety of baits including aquatic insect larvae that are the mainstay of their diet.

The flesh is soft but tasty and in some areas demands a high price. A muddy flavor can be avoided by keeping the tench alive in clear water for a time after capture

Salmon, Atlantic Salmo salar

Linnaeus, 1758

SALMONIDAE FAMILY
Also called landlocked salmon, ouananiche, Kennebec salmon, Sebago salmon, black salmon, grilse, kelt, grayling, smolt, parr, slink

The Atlantic salmon is native to the northern Atlantic from the Connecticut River to Quebec, Iceland and southern Greenland. It also occurs from the Arctic Circle to Portugal. Inland, there are a number of landlocked populations that must be considered strictly freshwater fish. Otherwise, the species is anadromous (migrates to the sea and back, and spawns in fresh water). Unlike Pacific salmons (Oncorhynchus spp.), Atlantic salmon spawn more than once before dying.

It has the body shape of a trout, and is distinguished from trouts of the genus Oncorhynthus by coloration, size, and location of occurrence, among other things. At sea it is a silvery fish with a sparse scattering of small black spots often shaped like X's or Y's on the upper half of the body, and sometimes with a few spots on the cheek and gill cover. In inland waters, especially at spawning time, the Atlantic salmon turns a much darker color of bronze or dark brown. This change may be accompanied by the appearance of red spots on the head and body, making this fish look remarkably like a brown trout (Salmo trutta), its closest relative. Often brown trout may have circles, or halos, around some of its spots and the spotting may be heavier than in the Atlantic salmon, extending onto the lower half of the sides and the fins including the adipose fin. The spots do not normally take the form of X's or Y's.

The value of the Atlantic salmon both as a sports fish and as a commercial and food fish cannot be exaggerated

Swordfish Xiphias gladius

Linnaeus, 1758

XIPHIIDAE FAMILY
Also called broadbill, broadbill swordfish

Found worldwide in temperate and tropical oceanic and continental shelf waters from the surface to depths of 400 500 fathoms or more. Except when spawning, females prefer cool, deep waters near submarine canyons or coral banks. Males prefer to remain in somewhat warmer waters.

Characteristically, it has a smooth, very broad, flattened sword (broadbill) that is significantly longer and wider than the bill of any other billfish. It also has a nonretractable dorsal fin, rigid, nonretractable pectoral fins, and a single, but very large keel on either side of the caudal peduncle. Adults lack scales and swordfish of all sizes lack ventral fins. The back may be dark brown, bronze, dark metallic purple, grayish blue or black. The sides may be dark like the back or dusky. The belly and lower sides of the head are dirty white or light brown.

This pelagic, migratory species usually travels alone. It uses its sword for defense and to kill or stun food such as squid, dolphin, mackerel, bluefish and various other midwater and deep sea pelagic species. Occasional attacks on boats have been authenticated by the recovery of swords found broken off in wooden hulls. One swordfish attacked Alvin, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute submarine, at a depth of 330 fathoms and wedged its sword so tightly into a seam that it could not be withdrawn.

Fishing methods include presenting trolling baits or deep drifting at night with bait such as squid. They often bask on the surface with their dorsal and tail fins protruding from the water, making them susceptible to harpooners and longliners who make the majority of swordfish catches. They are finicky, easily frightened by an approaching boat, and rarely strike blindly. Usually the bait must be presented carefully and repeatedly before the swordfish will take it. The soft mouth makes hookup uncertain and the slashing bill can make short work of an angler's line or leader. Squid is the most popular bait, though Spanish mackerel, eel, mullet, herring, tuna and live or dead bonito are also used. To land a broadbill is considered by many to be the highest achievement in angling.

Very large swordfish are always females. The males seldom exceed 200 lb (90 kg). The meat of the swordfish is excellent eating, making this fish the object of large commercial fisheries