Fish Identification Photos: Cortez Croaker, Umbrina wintersteeni: The Cortez Croaker is characterized by a bright silver overall appearance with a brown tint on the top and white below, a series of undulating brown lines along the sides, yellow fins, and a characteristic single barbell at the tip of the chin.

A key to identification of the Cortez Croaker is that the second anal spine is thick and one-half the length of the first anal fin ray.

The Cortez Croaker has pale gill cavities, and the caudal fin is straight or slightly rounded. The pectoral fins are light (as pictured below) or dark but not yellow. The snout is longer than the diameter of the eyes.

The Cortez Croaker might be confused with a series of other croakers and most likely the Surf Croaker, Umbrina xanti (thin second anal spine), and the Yellowfin Croaker, Umbrina roncador (yellow pectoral fins, next to last line on belly is oblique, snout length is less than diameter of eye).

The Cortez Croaker reaches a maximum of 14 inches in length and is found in the first 50 feet of the water column and often in the surge zone. It is caught primarily on cut bait (clams, squid, mullet, etc.) with small hooks and bottom rigs.

In Mexican waters the Cortez Croaker has a limited distribution, being found from Magdalena Bay south along Pacific coast of Baja California and in the lower half of the Sea of Cortez. It is absent from all other Mexican waters including around the oceanic islands. Although not abundant it is viewed by locals to be excellent table fare.

The Cortez Croaker is a member of the Sciaenidae Family, a series of croakers or drums caught out of the surf and known in Mexico as corvinas and berrugatas.

Cortez Croaker, Umbrina wintersteeni: Caught from shore in the last hour of daylight in April 2001, in 25-foot deep, 72-degree water, utilizing traditional surf gear on cut squid at Km. 18, between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size approximately 14 inches and 1.5 pounds. Identification reconfirmed by H.J. Walker, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, La Jolla, Calif. Description and photo courtesy of John Snow.