Effect of bait's type and shape on catching efficiency of Pots (Gargoor) in Bandar Lengeh waters (Hormozgan province)

Gargoor, a wired traditional pot, is used to catch demersal fish on rocky substrates. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of bait's type and shape on catching efficiency of Gargoors in Bandar Lengeh waters (Hormozgan). The study area was divided into near-shore waters (station 1) and off-shore waters (station 2). Sampling was performed by Seventy-two pots with the same soaking time (24 hours) during 48 cruises. Baits (Sardin, Cuttlefish, and Catfish) were cut into small pieces with similar weight (100 gr). Each bait was held in the cover (polyethylene net with 1 cm mesh size) and hanged inside the pots in two shapes (sliced and minced). Generally, the only bait type that had the significant difference between two shapes, was cuttlefish (p<0.05). Minced cuttlefish in the off-shore station in spring and sliced catfish in the near-shore station in summer had the highest and the lowest CPUE respectively. Based on our results, among the bait type, cuttlefish and between the bait shape, the minced shape had the best efficiency regarding the amount of catch. Therefore, to increase the amount of catch, using of minced cuttlefish is recommended.