09/11/2026
For opportunistic fishing for sharks, rays, and bony fish, we use different types of gear to catch and sample them.
Rod and reel: A classic. Yamilla and Kyle used this method in their research. Yamilla aimed for Spotted Sea Trout, Red Drum, and Sheepshead for acoustic tagging, while Kyle aimed to catch Red Snapper offshore to record potential depredations 🎣
The trashcan method: For Jaz’s flounder tagging, we used a 55-gallon trashcan with the bottom cut out to isolate the fish and attempt to minimize stress compared with traditional rod and reel. We then netted the fish out of the trashcan and brought them aboard for surgical implantation of an acoustic transmitter before releasing them 🗑️
Gill net: This wall or curtain of netting has weights on one end and floats on the other to allow it to float vertically in the water column. We can use this method for surveys of our bays and to capture sharks or rays for biopsy sampling, acoustic tagging, and biologger attachment 🦈 🐟
Bottom longline: We use a bottom handline in our lab, which consists of a mainline with baited hooks or gangions, with anchors and buoys attached at both sides to catch fish along the seafloor. We use this for Cali and Jaz’s projects to catch sharks or rays 🦈
All sampling was completed under permit SPR-1123-134. TAMU-CC COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TAMUCC Life Sciences TAMU-CC
