Reproduction, Movements, and Population Dynamics of the Sand Seatrout, Cynoscion arenarius

C. arenarius females mature at 140-180 mm total length as they approach age I. Spawning occurs from early March through September, but concentrates in a distinct spring period (March-May) and a distinct late summer period (August-September). Spawning occurs in the inshore Gulf of Mexico and coincides with the periodicity of onshore winds and surface currents which probably transport eggs or larvae to estuarine and inshore gulf nurseries. Both spawned groups leave estuarine nurseries in fall to overwinter in the gulf. Late summer spawned groups return to estuaries in midspring but reenter the gulf in August to spawn. Predicted sizes of late summer fish were 425 mm total length at age II and 574 mm at age III. No more than three spawned groups or two year classes occurred at any one time. The typical maximum life span is 1-2 years based on trawl data and possibly as much as 2-3 years for other gear. Total annual mortality rate was 99.79% based on trawling data.