Description: distinct
lateral line; high, divided dorsal fin; sloping forehead; large mouth,
protruding lower jaw; grows much larger than other snooks; pelvic fin
yellow.
Similar Fish: other Centropomus.
Where found: from central
Florida south, usually INSHORE in coastal and brackish waters, along
mangrove shorelines, seawalls, and bridges; also on reefs and pilings
NEARSHORE.
Size: most catches 5 to 8
pounds.
*Florida Record: 44 lbs.,
3 ozs.
Remarks: spawns primarily
in summer; cannot tolerate water temperatures below 60 degrees F; can
tolerate wholly fresh or saltwater; schools along shore and in passes
during spawning season; feeds on fish and larrge crustaceans.
* The Florida records
quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's
printed publication, Fishing
Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are
provided as only as a benchmark.
