SALTWATER FISHES OF TEXAS

Seatrout and Drums

REDFISH
Sciaenops ocellata
Other names: red drum, channel bass, bull red, and rat red

Redfish are easily distinguished by a large black spot at the base of the tail, usually one on each side. Rarely, specimens are found with no spots, or as many as 200. Color may vary from silvery to bronze to almost black, but most often is reddish-bronze. Average size is three to four pounds, occasionally reaching 35 to 50. Adults at least four years old spawn each fall in the Gulf; eggs hatch in a day or two and the tiny fish move at once through passes into bays for food and shelter. Except during extremely cold weather, when they move to open water, the smaller fish remain in the bays year around. Specimens 12 pounds and more stay mostly in the Gulf except during brief periods in autumn when they enter bays. Accordingly, successful anglers fish shallow, grassy flats where schools are sometimes seen "tailing" the surface as they feed in a head-down position searching the bottom. Lures or natural baits should be fished on or near the bottom, with care taken not to spook the schools. Piers, jetties, and the surf are good in fall and winter; rough weather provides the best redfish action. Redfish are excellent table fare.

BLACK DRUM
Pogonias cromis
Other names: drum, seadrum, and drumfish

Young black drum are silvery gray with four or five broad, dark, vertical bars. Adults are dark gray ranging to silvery black or bronze with no bars. Barbels, or whiskers, always are present on the lower jaw. Adults spawn during the second year, mostly in late winter and early spring, primarily in the Gulf. Bay spawning is not unknown. Juveniles frequently are abundant in muddy sloughs in the bays but are not restricted to these. Adults to five to six pounds are distributed widely in the bays and Gulf, often in large schools and occasionally in water less than 12 inches deep. Larger adults up to 60 pounds congregate in channels and canals during spawning runs and are caught easily. Black drum feed on the bottom, mostly on small clams, but may be caught on peeled shrimp, small blue crabs or similar baits. Three large plates of teeth in the throat are used to crush shells. Small black drum have firm, tasty flesh but larger fish often are coarse and parasitzed with "spaghetti worms." These are unsightly but harmless to humans.

SPOT
Leiostomus xanthurus
Other names: spot croaker

Spot, or spot croaker as it generally is called in Texas, is a highly prolific species found in abundance from Texas to Cape Cod. The average size of the adult is about 10 inches in length and three-quarters of a pound in weight. Maximum size is about 13 ½ inches in length and about 1 ½ pounds in weight. The name "spot" is derived from the dark spot just above and behind the gill slit. This species is very abundant in the Texas bays year round, and in the Gulf surf during their fall spawning period. The fall fishing in the surf and around the passes generally is considered primarily on bottom-dwelling organisms such as small shrimp, worms, small shellfish, and small fish. The best bait is a small portion of peeled shrimp fished on or near the bottom. The eating quality of this species is good and the preferred method of cooking is frying. The spot croaker is not as popular in Texas as it is on the Atlantic coast, where it is a major sport and commercial food species.

SILVER PERCH
Bairdiella chrysura
Other names: yellowtail

The yellowtail, or silver perch, is found from Texas to New York. The distinguishing characteristics are translucent, yellowtail fin and brilliant, silver body. Average size is about 6 inches and the maximum is reported to be about 12 inches. The yellowtail is a notorious bait stealer and is considered a trash fish by sport anglers. The fish is edible but its small size prevents utilization as a desirable food species. Spawning occurs in the bays in spring and the eggs are buoyant. This species' diet consists primarily of fish, crustaceans, and worms.

ATLANTIC CROAKER
Micropogon undulatus
Other names: croaker and golden croaker

Atlantic croaker, or golden croaker as it is called on the Texas coast, is the most abundant individual species of food fish in the bays. The body shape is similar to that of the redfish, to which it is closely related. Atlantic croaker have a row of small barbels on each side of the lower jaw and are silver or gray-colored as juveniles, becoming brownish-bronze as they mature. The average weight is less than half a pound and the maximum is about 5 pounds. Juveniles are heavily distributed in all the Texas bays year round. Adults are caught in large numbers around the passes and in the surf in the fall, when they move from the bays to the Gulf of Mexico to spawn. The name "croaker" is derived from the fish's ability to create croaking sounds. Preferred natural foods are small crustaceans, shellfish and worms. The best bait is a small piece of peeled shrimp fished on the bottom. Atlantic croaker is the major sport fish in the Galveston Bay area.

SPOTTED SEATROUT
Cynoscion nebulosus
Other names: speckled trout, speck, and spotted weakfish

The spotted seatrout is the most sought-after and most often caught sport fish on the coast, in 1975 accounting for 46.4 percent of the total pounds of fish harvested by sport anglers in four major bays. It has silvery sides, dark gray back with a metallic blue sheen, and numerous black spots on the upper sides and dorsal and tail fins. One or two prominent canine teeth usually are on the tip of the upper jaw. Seatrout are sometimes referred to as "yellow-mouth trout" because of the yellow-orange color inside the mouth. Peak spawning is in April and May, although spawning occurs through the summer until October in shallow, grassy bay flats. Small trout feed primarily on shrimp and small fish. At two or three years of age they begin to feed on larger fish such as mullet. Speckled trout mostly are caught near oyster reefs with live shrimp as bait. They also are taken by wading in shallows, from piers, jetties, and shore.

SAND SEATROUT
Cynoscion arenarius
Other names: sandtrout, and sand weakfish

Sand seatrout, or sand trout, is common in the Texas bays and its range extends to the lower Atlantic coast. It is a major sport species in the Galveston Bay area. The maximum size is less than two pounds. It feeds on small fish and crustaceans. The best bait type is cut fish or shrimp fished on or near the bottom. They are attracted to light and many fishermen have success using jigs under lights or around gas flares. It migrates to the Gulf only during cold weather. Spawning occurs in the spring. The sand trout is distinguished from the speckled trout by its absence of spots, and a pinkish sheen on the upper sides. It has one or two canine teeth on the point of the upper jaw. It closely resembles the Gulf sand trout, or silver seatrout, which achieves a larger size. The best way to distinguish between these two species is to count the anal rays. The silver trout has eight to nine and the sand trout has 11.

SILVER SEATROUT
Cynoscion nothus
Other names: sandtrout, gulftrout, and silver weakfish

The silver seatrout, or Gulf sandtrout, is found from Texas to Maryland but is most abundant along the Gulf coast. Its features closely resemble those of the sand trout, although it achieves a much larger size. Individuals have been recorded up to five pounds. It is primarily a Gulf species but is caught in Texas bays and is not uncommon. The primary habitat is from three to 10 fathoms in the Gulf. Spawning is believed to occur in the fall. It feeds primarily on fish and crustaceans and the best bait type is cut fish or shrimp fished on or near the bottom. The fighting ability of this species is well-known. The initial strike is very fierce, as if the fish took the bait at full speed, and many a rod has been pulled from an unsuspecting angler's hands. The eating quality is very good but the fish should be put on ice immediately after catching, to retain its firmness.

GULF KINGFISH
Menticirrhus littoralis
Other names: whiting and gulf whiting

SOUTHERN KINGFISH
Menticirrhus americanus
Other names: whiting and shoemaker

Southern kingfish and Gulf kingfish both are called whiting on the Texas coast. They are found in abundance in the surf area along the Gulf beach and their range extends to Chesapeake Bay on the Atlantic coast. The southern kingfish is silver-gray to brown in color, with darker markings often more mottled than a regular pattern. The abdomen is white. The Gulf kingfish is silvery gray above, paler on the abdomen, with no markings on the sides. They normally are found in smaller schools in the Gulf surf and in the bays near passes. On the east coast they are reported to spawn in the bays in late spring and summer, but in Texas they are believed to spawn in the Gulf of Mexico. The whiting primarily feed on bottom-dwelling organisms such as worms and crustaceans. The best bait is peeled shrimp fished on the bottom. The average size is about 11 inches and less than a pound in weight. Maximum size is about 18 inches and two pounds in weight. The species are of minor importance as a sport species because of their small size.

Snappers

RED SNAPPER
Lutjanus campechanus
other names: snapper, pargo, pensacola snapper

Red snapper sometimes are confused with redfish but are not similar. The red snapper is of deep rosy-red color with dark fringe around the dorsal and caudal fins. It is a deep-bodied fish with terminal mouth and united dorsal fin. The redfish has much less depth, with a subterminal mouth and with a large black spot at the base of the tail. Adult red snapper, which average two to four pounds but reach over 50, are reef-dwelling fish normally found only in the Gulf, Spawning occurs from June through September when the adults are about two years old. Juveniles are widely distributed over muddy or sandy bottom and are caught in great numbers during shrimping operations. Growth is fairly fast, with a length of eight inches reached the first year and then three to four inches per year thereafter. Red snapper are caught from reefs along the entire Texas coast. Hand line, manual reels and electric reels are used, all equipped with heavy weights and multiple hooks. The flesh is excellent and snapper throats are classed as a delicacy.

VERMILION SNAPPER
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Other names: bastard snapper, mangrove snapper

The vermilion snapper is vermilion in color with faint brown, oblique lines on the sides. The dorsal fin is tipped, the pectoral is yellowish and the caudal fin and iris of the eye are vermilion. This fish occasionally is caught on the snapper banks but there are no data on its feeding habits. It seldom exceeds 15 inches. Juveniles may stray into the bays. Spawning occurs in early spring. Although this fish is not actively sought by fishermen, its flesh is edible.

DOG SNAPPER
Lutjanus jocu
Other names: jocu, pargo colorado

Dog snappers are named for the large canine teeth, which may reach an inch in length. This fish is dark coppery-red, with faint vertical bars on the side. There is a light blue streak under each eye and the tail has a tinge of yellow. The average in Texas waters weighs from 25 to 50 pounds but individuals more than 100 pounds have been caught. Little is known of the life history of dog snappers. They are found on reefs in the Gulf in the summer but usually are not abundant. The large body and mouth indicate fish of various kinds of food. The flesh is reputed to be unsuitable for human consumption, but some consider it edible.

MUTTON SNAPPER
Lutjanus analis
Other names: muttonfish, pargo

Mutton snapper vary greatly in color. They usually are dark olive on the back shading to pink below, with dark vertical bars or indistinct blotches. Some scales have light blue spots which form faint strips running upward and backward. The dorsal fin is red and yellow; other fins are red. The iris of the eye is red. Young fish have a dark blotch on the side along the lateral line. Average weight is two to five pounds but it may reach 25 pounds and 27 inches. It is a food fish of some importance where found.

YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER
Ocyurus chrysurus
Other names: rabirubia

Yellowtail snapper are striking fish with a broad, bright yellow streak the length of the body. They are rare in Texas, being found only in deep water where they spawn. Food consists of small fish, shrimp, crabs and squid but in more tropical waters they reportedly feed on vegetable matter. Yellowtail snapper usually are from one to two feet long and considered to be excellent food fish.

LANE SNAPPER
Lutjanus synagris
Other names: redtail snapper, spot snapper, manchego

Lane snappers are fairly common in Texas particularly as juveniles. Coloration varies from rosy-red to light olivaceous. There are horizontal yellow stripes on the side, although these may be masked by horizontal blotching. A large distinguishing maroon or dark spot lies between the lateral line and the beginning of the soft dorsal fin. The iris of the eye is red and caudal fin is reddish tinged with black. Other fins are red and yellow. Adult fish apparently keep to deep water in the Gulf but very young ones often are found in the bays. Average weight of adults is one to two pounds, with some reaching four. Food consists of shrimp, other crustaceans and small fish. Lane snappers are caught incidental to red snapper fishing and flesh is good.

GRAY SNAPPER
Lutjanus griseus
Other names: mangrove snapper, lawyer, pargo

Gray snapper have several color phases depending on habitat. They may be light green on the back with rosy sides, and white undersides with silvery dorsal and tail fins. Another phase is darker with olive back, coppery sides, dusky dorsal and caudal fins and coppery pectoral, pelvic and anal fins. There usually are faint vertical bars extending part-way down from the back. Centers of scales are colored olive on the back and rosy on the sides and are gray or silver at the margins. This fish is more abundant around the West Indies than in Texas waters. There, and in Florida, it has a peculiar habit of feeding on small arboreal crabs found in mangrove thickets. Other food items are blue crabs, small fishes, shrimp and squid. They feed at night but will bite during the day. Fish of one to two pounds may be caught around passes and channels, using small baits fished on the bottom. The flesh is reported to be excellent.

All information was taken from Saltwater Fishes of Texas, Bulletin No. 52, published by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744