About Salt Water Fish

Biology

• The most obvious difference between salt-water and fresh-water fish is that salt-water fish live in salt water, and fresh-water fish do not. As such, their bodies to not function the same way.
  Due to osmosis, water flows from areas of low salinity to high salinity. A salt-water fish has less salt inside of it than does the water in which it swims. Therefore, a salt water fish loses water to its environment and continuously has to drink salt water to stay healthy. Salt-water fish have to work harder to synchronize with their environment than do most fresh-water fish.

Salt-water fishing

• When fishing for salt-water fish, the type of gear used also differs from the equipment used for fresh-water fishing. Typically, a salt-water angler uses a much larger rod and reel due to the deeper water of the ocean, and because of the larger fish available.
  Keep in mind that extra safety precautions must be taken when fishing at sea. Be sure your boat is sturdy and has two engines (in case one fails), and keep safety equipment on board at all times.
  Technique is also very different when fishing in the ocean. On a lake or river, anglers go to the fish. However, a salt water angler finds ways to bring the fish to him or her with different types of bait. They then circle their boats, dragging the bait along in hopes of the fish coming to them.
  When at sea, an angler uses premium grade hooks for larger, stronger fish.

Popular types of salt water fish

• • Mackerel -- Mackerel is the most commonly known salt-water fish. There are many variations of mackerel, and they can be found in both tropical and temperate waters. They are average in size, but are great for families with children when going on fishing trips as they are somewhat easy to catch.
  • Striped Bass -- Striped Bass have several regional names such as Stripers, Line Sides and Rock Fish. Striped Bass fish are a highly sought after game fish and are also grown in aquaculture operations. Striped Bass are vigorous fish that can even live in fresh water. Because of that, they are often stocked in fresh water throughout the United States. However, since they are adaptable, fishing for them is difficult. Their territory also varies seasonally as they migrate along the Atlantic coast of the United States.
  • Spotted Sea Trout -- Also known as the "speckled trout," the Spotted Sea Trout is a dark color with grey and white on the underside of it. The upper body, dorsal and fin of the fish have black spots on the the trout, giving it its name. The Spotted Sea Trout is a voracious predator with a large mouth and two canine teeth in the front, upper jaw. For anglers, spotted sea trout are caught in the Gulf of Mexico and in Atlantic regions from Florida north to Cape Cod.
  • Black Sea Bass -- Anglers especially like to fish for the black sea bass because of its taste. Black sea bass are popular along the Atlantic coast, and peak fishing season is between May and early June. A favorite bait tactic for anglers is using whole squid to attract larger sized bass.
  • Other popular salt-water game fish include bluefish, swordfish, and tuna. There are countless other species of salt-water-fish that are sought after by anglers, commercial fisheries, and even those who like to keep smaller salt-water fish as pets in special aquariums.

Salt-water dangers

• When swimming, fishing, or snorkeling in the ocean, take caution at which fish to handle or touch. Despite their beauty, some are very dangerous and deadly. There are few fresh-water fish in the United States that are dangerous to humans, but the seas abound with salt-water fish that are dangerous, such as sharks, sting rays, some eels, and others. For information and descriptions of these deadly fish, refer to www.wilderness-survival.net and research the ocean you will be visiting.

Eating salt-water fish

• According to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, some ocean fish and crustaceans contain varying amounts of pollutants such as PCBs, mercury, and dioxins, which are harmful to people. That agency recommends the following limitations:
  • Swordfish, Tilefish, Shark and King Mackerel should not be eaten at all by pregnant or nursing women. Everyone else can safely consume two, 8-ounce portions per month.
  • Two 8-ounce portions a week of "white" or "light" canned tuna is safe for pregnant or nursing women. Children 7 years old and younger can safely eat one-half can on the same tuna once a week. Note: "White" tuna has more mercury than "light" tuna. For everyone else, there is no recommended limit.
  • All other shellfish and ocean fish follow the same guidelines of canned tuna as well.