(nc fish identification) + mad props: most fish illustrations by duane raver, jr. from the book...

(NC Fish Identification)

+

Mad Props:Most fish illustrations by Duane Raver, Jr. from the book Fisherman's Guide Fishes of the Southeastern United StatesActual photos contributed by Mrs. Cotton and various other individualsGo to http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/fish-common-names-list for photos

http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/fish-common-names-list

• Almost all of the fish you are about to learn are important to the NC economy either commercially (for sale) or recreationally (for fun) and many are both.

• To prevent overfishing and protect stocks for the future, rules and regulations must be put into place.

• Fishermen and scientists don’t always agree on these regulations.• Commercial and recreational fishermen also often battle against each

other for the same resource but don’t have to abide by the same regulations.

• We will be discussing the Recreational size and bag limits.• Some things to know about these regulations you are about to learn:

– There are TWO jurisdictions: Inshore waters out to 3 miles (State waters) and

– Greater than 3 miles (EEZ)– Unless otherwise noted, we will be discussing State waters.

• As of January 1, 2007 you must have a Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL) if you are over 16 years old unless you are fishing on a charter boat, head boat, or fishing piers.

• Also, there is a fun, free “tournament” you can enter each year in NC, here are the rules:

• The Tournament begins January 1, 2015 and ends Midnight, December 31, 2015.

• TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN AWARD, ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY JANUARY 15, 2016.

• Fish shall be caught in accordance with North Carolina State and Federal laws and regulations as well as the NC Saltwater Fishing Tournament rules. Everyone is eligible except a charter boat captain or a crewman of a for-hire boat or anyone who offers fish for sale. Weighmasters or their employees are eligible for awards, provided a witness signs verification. Eligible waters include all North Carolina sounds, estuaries, surf, and the Atlantic Ocean. No registration fee is required.

• Certificate Qualifications: All fish must be caught on hook and line and landed or brought to gaff or net by the angler. No electric or hydraulic equipment is allowed. Fish must be weighed by an authorized weighmaster (or his/her representative) at an official weigh station. Each fish must be recorded on an official application form, signed by the angler and by a weighmaster. Snagged, mutilated, scaled, speared, frozen, or shot fish are not eligible. The weighmaster reserves the right to cut, open, or mark the fish after it has been weighed.

• Release Rules: Angler or mate must touch the fish or the leader. Application must be completed with exception of length and weight (false albacore, amberjack, Atlantic bonito, barracuda, cobia, black drum, jack crevalle, king mackerel, shark, striped bass, gray trout, speckled trout and red drum must have the length recorded). A witness must sign the application.

Blue Marlin99”LJFL 1/Vessel (either Blue or White not both)Must be reportedPermit requiredState Record: 1,228 lbs. 8 oz. 2008

Oregon Inlet

Citation Size: 400 lbs. Award for live release of fish, regardless of size

White Marlin66” LJFL 1/Vessel (either Blue or White not both)Must be reportedPermit requiredState Record: 118 lbs. 8oz. 1976

Oregon inletCitation Size: Release only, regardless of size

LJFL=Lower Jaw Forked Length

Sailfish

Permit required63” LJFL 1/Day in state waters (<3 miles)

State Record: 100 lbs. 1987 Ocean IsleCitation Size: Release only

regardless of size

Swordfish

State Record: 441 lbs. 1979 WB

Blackfin Tuna

State Record: 40 lbs. 2011 Oregon Inlet

Citation Size: 20 lbs.

It’s black under its dorsal fins

Bigeye Tuna 27” CFL

State Record: 311 lbs. 1992 Oregon Inlet

Citation Size: 100 lbs.Pectoral fin extends past the 1st dorsal fin

CFL = Curved Forked Length

Bluefin TunaPermit required

State Record: 805 lbs!! 3/12/2011 Oregon Inlet


The largest Tuna – can grow to 14 ft., 1500 lbs.

Yellowfin Tuna, Longfin Tuna27” CFL, 3/Day

State Record: 237 lbs. 1979Cape Lookout


Long yellow 2nd dorsal and anal fins

http://www.northcarolinasportsman.com/details.php?id=1780



Albacore TunaState Record: 62 lbs.

2001 Oregon Inlet

Atlantic BonitoCitation Size: 8lbs.,

award for live releaseover 24 inches

Skipjack Tuna, Albacore, Oceanic Bonito

State Record: 32 lbs. 2014 Gulf Stream off

HatterasStripes on belly, looks like it was “skipped” across the water

Little Tunny, False Albacore, Spotted Bonito

State Record: 26 lbs. 8 oz. 1991 WB

Citation size: release only >34 in

“Saddle” on back

King Mackerel, Kingfish, King24" FL 3/DayState Record: 82 lbs. 4oz. 1999

Oregon Inlet

Citation Size: 30 lbs. award for live release >45 in.

Spanish Mackerel, Spanish

12" FL 15/DayState Record: 13lbs.

1987 Ocracoke Inlet

World All-Tackle RecordCitation Size: 6lbs

Big “dip” in lateral line

Has spots (but so do baby Kings so be careful or “The Man” will ticket you!)

Look for the black section on the 1st dorsal

Wahoo2/Day

State Record: 150 lbs. 1994 Ocracoke Inlet


So fun to catch , makes you say WA HOO!!!

OOH… Barracuda

State Record: 67 lbs. 7 oz. 1985

Cape Lookout

Citation Size: Release only >45 in.

Greater Amberjack28" FL 1/DayState Record: 126 lbs. 7 oz. 2008 Swansboro

Citation Size: 50 lbs. Award for live release >50 in.

Jack Crevalle, Crevalle Jack

State Record: 49 lbs, Wrightsville Beach, 2014

Citation Size: Release only, 32 inches+

This is a member of a group called Reef Complex Species (explained later)

Dolphin, Mahi mahi, Dorado10/Day

State Record: 79 lbs. 1993 Cape Hatteras


Pompano, Florida Pompano

State Record: 8 lbs. 2001CB


Only males have the funny head.

Bluefish, Snapper, Blue, Chopper Blue (big ones!)

15/DayOnly 5 greater than 24" TL (inshore waters only <3 mi)State Record: 31 lbs. 12 oz. 1972 Cape Hattteras

World All Tackle RecordCitation Size: 15 lbs.

Cobia, Crab Eater, Lemonfish

33" FL 2/DayState Record: 116 lbs. 8 oz.

2006 Oregon InletCitation Size: 40 lbs., Award

for live release >33 in.

Tarpon

1/DayState Record: 193 lbs.

5 oz. 2008Citation Size: Release

only regardless of size.

Atlantic Menhaden, Pogy, Bunker

Jumping Mullet, Striped Mullet, Finger Mullet

200/day

Juveniles used for bait

Black Sea Bass, Sea Bass

North of Cape Hatteras: unlawful to possess

South of Cape Hatteras: 13” TL 5/day!!!State Record: 8 lbs. 12 oz. 1979

Oregon InletCitation Size: 4 lbs.

Striped Bass, Rock28” TL 1/Day – Atlantic Ocean(Contact NCDMF for seasons & limits in inshore waters) Unlawful to possess >3miState Record: 64 lbs. 2011 Oregon InletCitation Size: 35 lbs., Award for

release >45 in.

Croaker

State Record: 5 lbs. 1981 Oregon

InletCitation Size: 3 lbs.

Spot

State Record: 1 lb. 13 oz. 1979

Citation Size: 1 lb.

Speckled Trout, spotted sea trout14” TL 4/Day State Record: 12 lbs. 4 oz.

1961 WBCitation Size: 5 lbs., Award for release >24 in.

Gray Trout, Weakfish

12" TL 1/DayState Record: 14 lbs. 14 oz. 1980

Nags HeadCitation Size: 5 lbs. ., Award for release >24 in.

Sea Mullet, Whiting, Southern Kingfish


Bogue Banks PierCitation Size: 1 1/2 lbs.

Inshore Lizardfish

American Eel9” TL 25/dayJan. 1-Aug. 31

Black Drum14-25”TL; 10/Day1>25”/personState Record: 100 lbs. 1 oz. 1998 Cape Fear RiverCitation Size: 35 lbs., Award for release >40 in.

Red Drum, Channel Bass, Puppy Drum, Redfish

N.C.'s State Saltwater Fish18-27" TL 1/Day No Possession of Fish over 27“Unlawful to possess >3 mi out

State Record: 94 lbs. 2 oz. 1984World All Tackle RecordCitation Size: Release Only,

>40 in See next pages for more info

Did you know that in 1971 the North Carolina General Assembly designated red drum the state saltwater fish?

In 1984, David G. Deuel caught a giant red drum off Hatteras Island that weighed 94 pounds, 2 ounces; aside from being the state record red drum, this is also a world record for all tackle.

The Tar HeelTar Heel State is famous for its trophy-sized red drum that weigh in excess of 40 pounds, traditionally caught in the surf and sound between Oregon Inlet and Cape Lookout.

North Carolina has produced 10 out of 16 current world records for red drum.

CHARACTERISTICSRed drum derive their name from their color and the fact that during spawning time, males produce a drum-like noise by vibrating a muscle in their swim bladder. The color of red drum ranges from a deep blackish, coppery color to nearly silver. The most common color is reddish-bronze. Red drum is the accepted common name for this species by the American Fisheries Society, but they are also called channel bass, spottail bass and redfish. Juvenile red drum, those aged 1 to 4 years, are called puppy drum. Red drum are related to black drum, spotted seatrout, weakfish, sea mullets, croaker and spot, most of which also make drum sounds. Fisheries scientists refer to the species as Sciaenops ocellatus; Sciaenops is Greek for perch-like marine fish and ocellatus is Latin for eye-like colored spot. The Latin term refers to the black spot (usually one, but sometimes two or more) on either side near the base of the tail. Scientists believe that the spots may fake predators into attacking the red drum toward their tails instead of near their eyes, allowing the drum to escape.

Northern Searobin

Northern Puffer, Swell Toad, Blowfish

Oyster Toadfish

Pigfish, Hogfish


Pinfish

State Record: 2 lbs. 14 oz. 2006 Beaufort Inlet

Spottail Pinfish, Ringtail Pinfish

As many as you want!

Tomtate, Redmouth

No size limit in NC but under the Federal Snapper/Grouper Complex Management

Summer Flounder 15” TL 6/day

State Record: 20 lbs. 8 oz. 1980 CB


Distinctive 5 spots

Speckled Hind, Strawberry Grouper, Kitty Mitchell

Unlawful to possessState Record: 28 lbs. 8 oz. 1972 off Topsail Beach

Red Grouper, Grouper

20” TL 3/DayState Record: 33lbs. 8oz.

2007 Atlantic Beach

GagGag24” TL 1/day

Total groupers = 3/day

combined species

Unlawful to take groupers Jan 1-April 30

Citation size (all groupers) : 20 lbs.

Red Snapper, American Red Snapper

As of 1/4/2010, these are unlawful to possess, sell, or purchase if taken from the waters under the jurisdiction of NC or the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council!

State Record: 40 lbs. 1970 Cape Lookout

Vermillion Snapper, Beeliner

12”TL 5/day

State Record: 6 lbs. 9 oz. 2009 Ocean Isle

Yellowtail Snapper

12” TL (> 3 miles out)10/day combined snappers

Gray Triggerfish


Morehead CityCitation Size: 5 lbs.Reef Complex Species

Reef Complex Species = 20 per person per day in combo with others designated as reef complex species

Whitebone Porgy

Reef Complex Species

Knobbed Porgy


Hogfish, Hog snapper

12” FL 5/dayState Record: 21 lbs. 6oz.

2005 Frying Pan Shoals

World All Tackle RecordReef Complex Species

White Grunt, Grunt, Redmouth

State Record: 4 lbs. 8 oz. 1969 Cape Lookout


Sheepshead

State Record: 19 lbs. 4 oz. 1999 Oregon Inlet

Citation Size: 8 lbs.Reef Complex Species

Atlantic Spadefish, Angelfish

State Record: 11 lbs. 3 oz. Cape Hatteras 2009


(nc fish identification) + mad props: most fish illustrations by duane raver, jr. from the book...

Documents