Saltwater Fish Identification and Fishing Tips in Texas

1. AGR 381SALTWATER FISHAuthor: Unknown Editor: Kaci Hatch

2. OBJECTIVES • Categorize saltwater fish into one of the three ecological groupings; • List and describe representatives species from each of the three groupings; • Describe the coastal and deep-sea habitats of saltwater fish species;

3. OBJECTIVES CON’T • List essential items to be considered when planning a fishing trip; • Identify locations one might visit along the Texas coast.

4. COASTAL HABITATS • Estuary – environment where fresh and slat water mix. • Salt marshes – Filled with salt tolerable plants, good nutrient producing habitat. • Exposed beaches – very turbulent • Mudflats – receding tides, small invertebrates.

5. COASTAL HABITATS • Seagrass flats – support large populations of fish. • Near shore soft bottoms – soft, silty, featureless bottom.

6. Terms • Estuaries – rivers current meets the sea. • Gigging – using spear like device to harvest fish. • Inhabit – to live or dwell. • Migratory – to go from one region to the other.

7. Saltwater Fish Identification Three Ecological Groupings: • Inshore Species • Offshore Bottom Species • Offshore Migratory Species

8. Inshore Species

9. RED DRUM • Sciaenopsocellata • Large black spot at the base of tail. • Color range silver to bronze. • AVG 3-4lbs.

10. FLOUNDER • Paralycthys lethostigma • Lies on its side • Both eyes are on the up side • Can be caught by gigging

11. HARDHEAD CATFISH • Arius felis • Dorsal and pectoral fins covered with toxic slime • Can cause infection and pain

12. BULL SHARK • Carcharhinus leucas • Wide head • Blunt snout • Heavy body • Can live in fresh or salt water

13. TARPON • Megalops atlantica • Brilliant silvery color • Bony jaws • Large flat scales

14. OFFSHOREBOTTOMSPECIES

15. SHEEPSHEAD • Archosargus probatocephalus • Convict fish • Black and white bars • AVG 3-5lbs. • Over 10 lbs is uncommon

16. STINGRAY • Dasyatis sabina • Rhomboid shape • Triangular snout • Penetration by tail barb very painful

17. JEWFISH • Epinephelusitajara • Dark to chocolate brown with faint pale blotches. • Avg. 40 – 120 lbs. • Common to 300 lbs.

18. RED SNAPPER • Lutjanuscampechanus • Deep rosy red color with darker fringe. • Average 2 – 4 lbs. • Can reach over 50 lbs.

19. SPANISH MACKEREL • Scomberomorus maculatus • Back and upper sides are blue or blue – green, shading to silver. • Orange spots – feeds in schools.

20. OFFSHOREMIGRATORYSPECIES

21. WAHOO • Acanthocybium solanderi • Very colorful • Dark blue to lavender • Silver underneath

22. BLACKFIN TUNA • Thunnus atlanticus • Vertical bars and dots are located on the sides under long pectoral fins.

23. BLUE MARLIN • Makaira nigricans • Color is a deep blue above shading to silvery – white. • Vertical lavender bars.

28. Fishing in Texas • Just a saltwater fishing stamp is $33 good from September to August • All water fishing is $38 good from September to August • One day salt water fishing will cost you $16

29. Fishing in Texas • Most times if you are fishing with a guide, the guide will provide anything you need. • You may need to bring more food or drinks if you desire. • You may use the guides’ rods and reels or bring your own.

30. Fishing in Texas • Need to consider time of year as to what fish you want to catch. • Forecast • Cost • Number of people needed for the trip.

31. OBJECTIVES • Categorize saltwater fish into one of the three ecological groupings; • List and describe representatives species from each of the three groupings; • Describe the coastal and deep-sea habitats of saltwater fish species;

32. OBJECTIVES CON’T • List essential items to be considered when planning a fishing trip; • Identify locations one might visit along the Texas coast.