Population Studies of the Sports and Commercial Fin-Fish and Forage Species of the San Antonio Bay System - Analysis of Populations of Sports and Commercial Fin-Fish and of Factors Which Affect These Populations in the Coastal Bays of Texas

In 1963, trammel nets used to sample adult game fish caught an average of 2.5 pounds per acre compared to 4.8 pounds per acre in 1962. Redfish were caught at only two stations. Peak months of abundance were September and November. In 1963, 86.3 pounds were caught as compared to 434.9 pounds in 1962. The catch per effort also declined. Speckled trout were taken at all stations. There were found most abundant in May through November. The total catch was up slightly, from the 1962 total of 117.6 pounds, to a total of 130.1 pounds in 1963. The catch per effort, however, declined sharply. Drum were taken at all stations. Peak catch months were March and November. Catch was up from 120.3 pounds in 1962 to 144.6 pounds in 1963. Flounder were caught at Stations 1, 2, and 4. The peak month of catch was July. Total catch for the year was 11.8 pounds, compared to 7.3 pounds in 1962. This catch per effort also declined sharply. Average monthly catch, all species, varied from 1.0 pounds per acre to 3.9 pounds per acre. Only 22 juvenile game fish were taken, and 14 of these were speckled trout. In 1962, 88 juvenile game fish were taken. The total poundage of forage species caught was considerably less than in 1962. Significant numbers were taken at only four stations. Those stations located in Espiritu Santo Bay did not yield appreciable numbers. A total of 646 fish were tagged and released. There were 13 tags returned. This compares to 360 fish tagged in 1962, and 20 returns.