Saltwater Fish are Cool Too

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post on my top ten freshwater fish species. Anyone who knows me is fully aware that I have an affinity for freshwater fishing, but that doesn't mean I lack appreciation for the tremendous bounty of amazing fish found in the seas and oceans of the world. Growing up on the northern part of the east coast, saltwater fishing was a staple. Especially cool about it was that you were much more likely to fish from a boat, than if you were fishing freshwater. Sometimes it's invigorating to be out on the open Long Island Sound, sitting at the bow (front) of a swift 17-19 foot vessel, diagonally cutting through waves with the outboard engine screaming, as the salinized wind rapidly evaporates the sweat from your skin, while glancing left and right as land masses fade in the growing distance.

As a (sort of) political peace offering to the previous post, I'd like pay homage to my favorite (local) saltwater fish species:

1. Bluefish

Adult bluefish are strong and aggressive, and live in loose groups. They are fast swimmers which prey on schools of forage fish, and continue attacking them in feeding frenzies even after they appear to have eaten their fill.^[7][8] Depending on area and season, they favormenhaden and other sardine-like fish (Clupeidae), jacks (Scombridae), weakfish(Sciaenidae), grunts (Haemulidae), striped anchovies (Engraulidae), shrimp, and squid. They are cannibalistic and can destroy their own young.^[16] Bluefish sometimes chase bait through the surf zone, attacking schools in very shallow water, churning the water like a washing machine. This behavior is sometimes referred to as a "bluefish blitz".

Bluefish. n.d. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluefish (accessed July 12, 2015). 

2. Striped Bass

The striped bass (Morone saxatilis), also called Atlantic striped bass, striper, linesider, pimpfish, rock, or rockfish, is the state fish of Maryland, Rhode Island, and South Carolina, and the state saltwater (marine) fish of New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and New Hampshire. They are also found in the Minas Basin, Gaspereau River, and Northumberland Strait in Nova Scotia, Canada, and theMiramichi River and Saint John River in New Brunswick, Canada. The history of the striped bass fishery in North America dates back to the Colonial period. Many written accounts by some of the first European settlers describe the immense abundance of striped bass along with alewives traveling and spawning up most rivers in the coastal Northeast.

Striped Bass. n.d. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_bass (accessed July 12, 2015).

3. Flounder

In its life cycle, an adult flounder has two eyes situated on one side of its head, while at hatching one eye is located on each side of its brain. One eye migrates to the other side of the body as a process of metamorphosis as it grows from larval to juvenile stage. As an adult, a flounder changes its habits and camouflages itself by lying on the bottom of the ocean floor as protection against predators.^[1] As a result, the eyes are then on the side which faces up. The side to which the eyes migrate is dependent on the species type. 

Flounder ambush their prey, feeding at soft muddy areas of the sea bottom, near bridge piles, docks and coral reefs. 

A flounder's diet consists mainly of fish spawn, crustaceans, polychaetes and small fish. Flounder typically grow to a length of 12.5–37.5 centimeters (4.9–14.8 in), and as large as 60 centimeters (24 in). Their width is about half their length. Male Platichthys are known to display a pioneering spirit, and have been found up to 80 miles off the coast of northern Sardinia, sometimes with heavy encrustations of various species of barnacle.

Flounder. n.d. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flounder (accessed July 12, 2015).

4. Porgy (Scup)

The scup, Stenotomus chrysops, is a fish which occurs primarily in the Atlantic from Massachusetts to South Carolina.^[1] Along with many other fish of the family Sparidae, it is also commonly known as porgy.^[2] 

Scup grow as large as 18 in (450 mm) and weigh 3 to 4 lb (2 kg), but they average 0.5–1.0 lb (0.25–0.50 kg). 

They are fished for by commercial and recreational fishermen. They are a fine fish to eat because of their light flavor and are sometimes called panfish. Popular methods of cooking include but are not limited to frying, broiling, and baking.

Scup. n.d. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scup (accessed July 12, 2015). 

5. Blackfish (Tautog)

Popular among fishermen, tautog have a reputation for being a particularly tricky fish to catch. Part of this is because of their tendency to live among rocks and other structures that can cause a fisherman’s line to get snagged. The favorite baits for tautog include: green crabs, Asian shore crabs, fiddler crabs, clams, shrimp, mussels, sandworms, and lobsters. Tautog fishing may also be difficult due to the tendency of fishermen try to set the hook as soon as they feel a hit, rather than wait for the tautog to swallow the bait. Rigs with minimal beads, swivels and hooks should be used to prevent entanglement with the rocks, reefs or wrecks tautog frequent.^{[citation needed]}Because they are often found in wrecks, they are often seen by scuba divers. They are also popular with spearfishermen, as they are remarkably calm in the presence of divers and are relatively easy to spear.

Tautog. n.d. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tautog (accessed July 12, 2015).

As mentioned earlier; there's a certain, yet indiscernible allure to saltwater fish. There is also a magnified sense of achievement when they're caught, as their potential range of travel and migration is vastly beyond those of their landlocked cousins. They come in an abundance of colors, shapes, and sizes; plus they can get REALLY BIG. The coolest part: etseemed scientists believe there are (many) saltwater fish species that have yet to be discovered.