FISH ID CHART Or BOOK

[Mark Thurlow]

We are fishing from a monohull cruiser in the Caribbean and the in the Pacific.

We do okay trolling but would like to get a good ID chart or Book that will help us ID what we catch and have a chance at knowing what to eat and what to put back.

What do experienced hands suggest?

[JPA Cate]

Grant's Guide to Tropical Fishes (it's Australian, printed on polypropylene "paper"), hence waterproof, and has taste and cooking guidelines along with all the icthyological stuff as well. Color photos of fish with non standard coloring, which I found helpful. Although written mainly about Queensland fishes, to me, it applies to tropical latitudes fishes everywhere.

Also useful is "The Cruiser's Handbook of Fishing" by Scot Bannerot & Wendy Bannerot.
It's directions for sectioning yellowfin tuna are a practical way of dealing with such delicious' fish.

We always trolled for pelagic fishes, and kept the gear really simple. If you are wanting sport, Bannerot is better for you than anything more I might write. We were just wanting "meat", and retrieved our lines after we caught the suicidal fish.

Some places, you can find guides of who is acceptable to catch in their jurisdictions and best pay attention. Most countries have forbidden fish, who are protected, or various areas wherein all the fish are protected, and you REALLY want to follow those rules: penalties apply.


Ann

[GordMay]

Just google "fish guide". There's thousands of them.