Publisher Description

The Gulf of Mexico is one of the world's premier fishing grounds. This book is designed to help you learn about and identify its most common sport fish. Fascinating facts about habitat, Gulf distribution, world records, edibility and more make this a must-have, while the waterproof pages are perfect for use on the boat or pier. With this handy field guide, identifying your catch has never been easier or more enjoyable!

Author Biography

Dave Bosanko was born in Kansas and studied engineering before following his love of nature to degrees in biology and chemistry from Emporia State University. He spent thirty years as staff biologist at two of the University of Minnesota's field stations. Though his training was in mammal physiology, Dave worked on a wide range of research projects ranging from fish, bird, and mammal population studies to experiments with biodiversity and prairie restoration. An avid fisherman and naturalist, he has long enjoyed applying the fruits of his extensive field research to patterning fish location and behavior, and observing how these fascinating species interact with one another in the underwater web of life.

Table of Contents

About The Gulf Of Mexico The Yucatan Channel The Straits Of Florida The Continental Shelf Texas Louisiana Mississippi Alabama Florida Fish Anatomy Fish Names Fish Diseases Fish Consumption Advisories Catch-And-Release Fishing Fish Measurement Fishing in Salt Water Sinkers And Floats Fishing Methods Baits Where To Fish Marine And Freshwater Fish How To Use This Book Sample Page Atlantic Cutlassfish Family Barracuda Family Billfish Family Bluefish Family Bonefish Family Cobia Family Croaker Family Dorado Family Flyingfish & Halfbeak Family Grunt Family Herring Family Jack Family Leatherjacket Family Left-eyed Flatfish Family Lizardfish Family Mackerel Family Mullet Family Needlefish Family Porgy Family Puffer Family Sawfish Family Sea Bass Family Sea Catfish Family Hammerhead Shark Family Requiem Shark Family Scorpionfish Family Skate Family Snapper Family Snook Family Spadefish Family Stingray Family Striped Bass Family Sturgeon Family Tarppn Family Tripletail Family Wrasse Family Glossary References Index About the Author

Long Description

The Gulf of Mexico is one of the world's premier fishing grounds. This book is designed to help you learn about and identify its most common sport fish. Fascinating facts about habitat, Gulf distribution, world records, edibility and more make this a must-have, while the waterproof pages are perfect for use on the boat or pier. With this handy field guide, identifying your catch has never been easier or more enjoyable!

Excerpt from Book

Red Grouper Epinephelus morio Family: Sea bass family (Serranidae) Other Names: mero americano Description: stout, reddish brown body; scattered white spots over pale blotches; small black spots around mouth; inside of mouth red or orange; hard dorsal fin high with a straight edge; pectoral fins longer than pelvic fins; dorsal, anal and tail fins blackish with white margins Habitat: rock walls, ledges and wrecks from 20 to 300 feet deep Food: crabs, shrimp, lobsters, octopus and fish Reproduction: matures in 4 to 7 years, then spawns in the open sea Gulf Distribution: the entire Gulf Average Size: 5 to 10 pounds World Record: 42 pounds, 2 ounces, St. Augustine, Florida, 1997 Table Quality good to excellent when baked or grilled with lime juice and butter Notes: The Red Grouper is a large, stout fish closely related to the Nassau Grouper. They are solitary fish that can be found in any water from 10 to 300 feet deep, but they need holes and crevices to hide in. Rock walls, ledges and wrecks are good Red Grouper habitat. Red groupers are a favorite target of spearfishermen in many clear water areas and have been severely overharvested. They are strong fighters when hooked and quick action is needed to keep them from returning to their holes and cutting the line. Fishing Methods: still-fishing and drifting Bait: live fish, crabs, squid and cut baits Where: rock ledges and wrecks Tips: fish a small squid by bringing it up several feet then dropping it back to the bottom

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