Yellowtail, Everybody July 11, 2004
(Ocyurus chrysurus)
OTHER NAMES:
Flag, Tail, Rabirubia
RANGE: Yellowtail are common
only in South Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean, although add catches
are made in other areas of the state, especially offshore Gulf
reefs.
HABITAT: Small fish grow up around shallow
coastal reefs and patches. Best fishing depths in most areas are 60 to
about 120 feet, with nearly all the "Flags" coming from the deepest
habitat. Yellowtail school heavily and hang around dropoffs or
humps.
DESCRIPTION: Identified by a yellow stripe that
runs the full length of the body from forward of the eye to the deeply
forked yellow tail. The stripe is vivid in young fish, but pales with
maturity. Color above the line is bluish with yellow patches; silvery
white below. No prominent teeth as in most other Snappers.
SIZE: From less than a foot in coastal shallows to an
average of 1-3 pounds on deep reefs. "Flags" running as heavy as 4 or 5
pounds are common, and a few run to 7 or 8 pounds. World record 8 pounds,
9 ounces; Florida record 8 pounds, 8 ounces.
FOOD
VALUE: Excellent if fresh or well-iced.
GAME
QUALITIES: Pound-for-pound, among the best of reef fishes.
Because most are hooked high in the water column, they usually make long,
strong runs. Yellowtail are masters at cutting lines on the edge of a
dropoff, or fouling them on high reef growth.
TACKLE AND
BAITS: Undersize fish in the shallows will greedily hit nearly
any bait or lure. Yellowtails of decent size, however, are almost always
caught in outside reef areas. They are among the wariest of biters,
generally requiring lighter lines, leaders, hooks and sinkers than the
angler would really like to use. Regulars mostly try to get by with
spinning tackle and 15-pound line, but on many days must go to 12-pound
lines or smaller, to produce or sustain any action. Small dead baits cut
fish, cut squid and pieces of shrimp catch the most Yellowtails because
those baits are similar in size and buoyancy to the ground chum that is
used to lure them close and turn on their appetites. In many areas of the
Bahamas and Caribbean, Yellowtail are caught by trolling a variety of
lures, or by casting with small jigs, and even flies. Best luck anywhere
is likely to come at night.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting;
Still Fishing; Trolling.
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Updated 07/12/04