Handling and tagging survival or hook-caught spotted seatrout held in cages.

Spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) (253-401 mm total length) captured by hook and line during June - September 1981 in seven Texas bays were held in wire cages for 7 days to estimate the survival of handled and tagged fish. Survival rates of handled (63% + or - 10%) and tagged (46% + or - 11%) fish were not significantly different; individually and combined (54% + or - 7%) survival rates were significantly lower than the survival of control fish (80% + or - 8%). Factors that might contribute to differences in survival rates among individual bay systems, such as salinity, water temperature and cage construction, are examined but not statistically analyzed.