| Identification
& Biology: |
This
is a stumpy little fish that looks like it has too many fins
for its body. The dorsal fin is distinctly divided into two
parts, one spiny and the other soft. The pelvic fins are located
directly beneath the pectoral fins. These can be colorful
fish, especially the males. The mottled brown color is banded
with darker brown, blue and green. A large blue spot is located
behind the head over the pectoral fin.
These are common fish, but seldom seen by the average angler.
They live on or in the bottom, quietly waiting for a meal,
which they can dart out and grab surprisingly quickly. The
only time of the year that their presence is noticeable is
when they move in large schools on the surface in connection
with winter storms, hence the name storm minnow. Knowledgeable
anglers capture as many fat sleepers as they can during these
hard-to-predict events. This fish may be the very best live
bait available for spotted seatrout and red drum. |
