Bass, Pike, Perch, and Others

by James A. Henshall

BAIT FISHES

For the information of anglers who would like to know something of the small fishes used for bait, their names at least, I think it not out of place to mention them here. The mullet is one of the fishes most frequently utilized. There are several species belonging to the family Mugilidæ: the common mullet (Mugil cephalus), the white mullet (Mugil curema), both of which are abundant in Florida, especially the first named. There is a somewhat rare species along the coasts, but common at Key West, the fan-tail mullet (Mugil trichodon). A very abundant but very small species, and one that makes a capital bait for fishes with small mouths, is the whirligig mullet (Querimana gyrans).

There are several species of sardines belonging to the herring family (Clupeidæ). They may be found in all bays along the coasts, going in and out of the inlets with the tide. The most common species are the silver sardine (Sardinella humeralis), which has a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin, and the striped sardine (Sardinella sardina), which has faint streaks along the sides.

The anchovies belong to the family Engrauli didæ, and may be distinguished by their very wide mouths, which open back to the gill-cover. The species all look very much alike; the most common ones are the banded anchovy (Stolephorus perfasciatus), with narrow silvery longitudinal band, and from two to three inches long; the big anchovy (Stolephorus brownii), which is deeper and grows larger, from four to six inches in length; these two species are mostly confined to the south and west coasts. Another species, also abundant on the east coast, is the silver anchovy (Stolephorus mitchilli), which is more silvery or translucent in appearance than the others, with yellowish fins and dotted body.

There are a number of crabs that are excellent baits, as the hermit crab (Eupagurus), which lives in the cast-off shells of univalve mollusks; fiddler crab (Gelasimus), which abounds in myriads on the inside shores of the bays; the spider crab (Libinia), which is quite common in shallow water, sometimes covered with bits of weeds, shells, etc.; the common crab (Cancer); the lady crab (Platyonichus), beautifully spotted; the stone crab (Menippe), quite a large crab, with very large claws; the mud crab (Panopeus), a small crab and a very good bait. There are a number of crustaceans, commonly called beach-fleas, that are good baits for small-mouthed fishes along the Florida coasts, among which may be mentioned the beach-flea (Orchestia); the sand-bug (Hippa); the gribble (Limnoria); also the shrimp (Gammarus); and the prawn (Palæmonetes).

THE GRUNT FAMILY

(Hæmulidæ)

The grunts have an oblong body, more or less elevated and compressed; head large, its sides usually scaly; mouth low and horizontal, usually curved; sharp or pointed teeth; dorsal fin single, with a marked angle at the junction of the spiny and soft portions; the dorsal spines ten or twelve; anal fin with three spines, the second one the largest; caudal fin concave. The coloration is bizarre and usually brilliant, with the lips and inside of the mouth bright red or scarlet. They are all good pan-fishes, and from their habit of emitting vocal sounds when caught are called "grunts." They feed on crustaceans, small fishes, and the innumerable marine invertebrates that inhabit the coral reefs and coralline rocks.

Hæmulon plumieri. The Common Grunt. Body moderately elongate; the back elevated and somewhat compressed; head long, the sharp snout projecting; head 2-2/3; depth 2-2/3; eye 5;