E. Ashley Gallman and J. Jeffery Isely, South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, Joseph R. Tomasso, Jr., Department of Aquaculture, Fisheries and Wildlife, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634 and Theodore I.J. Smith, Marine Resources Research Institute, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, PO Box 12559, Charleston, SC 29422

Abstract. Red drum Sciaenops ocellatus is an estuarine dependent species that is economically important for sport fisheries throughout its range. Hatchery stocking and strict management regulations have been implemented in recent years in an attempt to supplement recruitment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of length of play on the magnitude of the physiological stress response of red drum. Stress responses of wild and pond-reared hatchery red drum were also examined to determine if any differences existed between the two groups. Plasma cortisol concentrations were used as an indicator of the primary stress response. Additionally, circulating glucose concentrations and osmolality were used as indicators of the secondary stress response. Osmolality also served as an indicator of osmoregulatory dysfunction. Plasma lactate concentrations were measured to establish the magnitude of anaerobic metabolism and fatigue. Preliminary results indicate that wild and hatchery red drum both respond physiologically to capture by hook and line. The physiological response was similar between both wild and hatchery groups of fish. Fish size or length, however, may be a significant variable in determining the magnitude of the stress response. It also appears that fish captured in warmer water temperatures elicit a more severe response than those captured in cooler water temperatures.