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The Pinfish identification, habitats, characteristics, Fishing methods
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Pinfish, Lagodon rhomboids, family Sparidae, PORGIES, also known as Spanish Porgy, Shiner, Sargo, Chopo Sina. These fish are found in the western Atlantic from Massachusetts to Yucatan, Mexico. Pinfish occur in the waters of Bermuda, the Florida Keys, the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico and North Cuba.
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Description
They have an oval and compressed body that is very similar in shape to freshwater sunfish such as bluegill and pumpkinseed. Coloration is silvery or silver-blue overall with blue and yellow horizontal stripes across the side and 5 to 6 faint dusky bars. They have a dark patch just behind the gill cover. All the fins are yellowish. Pinfish have a long dorsal fin that has many sharp points, from which the species get their name. The head and mouth are small and they have incisor-like teeth with deeply notched edges. The tail is moderately forked. Small fish that are eaten by many predators, pinfish are commonly used as baitfish by anglers. Most Pinfish are 3 to 6 inches and may range as high as a pound or even more.
Habitats
Pinfish are a highly schooling fish that have been seeing in a group of thousands. They are mainly an inshore species commonly found in grass flats and around piers, jetties and wharfs. Small Pinfish swarm over inshore grass flats in warm or temperate weather, retreating to deeper water with dropping temperatures. They also can be found around other cover, such as rocks and bars, bridges and piers, marker pilings, and around natural and artificial reefs.
Adults inhabit deeper waters than young pinfish, inhabiting depths from 40 to 180 feet in bays, passes and over reefs, while young often stay in the more shallow water of estuaries. Pinfish are associated with vegetated bottoms, but can on occasion be found over rocky bottoms. They are adaptable concerning salinity levels, allowing them to occupy brackish and even fresh water at times.
Pinfish are omnivorous, feeding on minnows, crustaceans, worms, shrimp, mollusks and other smaller fish as well as seaweed and organic debris. They are aggressive nibblers, a fact that makes them a nuisance for many fishermen.
Spawning
Spawning in the early spring at offshore positions, pinfish eggs float and are unguarded. As the eggs hatch, the young swim into bays and estuaries.
Fishing Methods.
Pinfish caught by anglers are almost always utilized as bait for bigger fish. When they are in shallow grass flats, anglers can also use a net to collect them. However, in other areas the best technique is landing them on baited hooks. Small pieces of shrimp and squid are effective baits.
When fishing with pinfish as bait, they are often place a foot or two under a popping cork in shallow waters, but in deeper areas they are more effective on the bottom with a slider rig. Pinfish will work for almost any game fish that will strike live bait, but they are particularly effective for redfish, trout, flounder, grouper and red snapper.
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