The retention rates of Atkins, dart, Petersen, spaghetti and strap tags were compared on largemouth bass, bluegill and Atlantic croaker. Antiseptics used in tagging operations were evaluated for their usefulness in promoting tag retention. Petersen and spaghetti tags were found to be the most suitable of the tags tested for bluegills in short-term studies of three months. Petersen, spaghetti and Atkins tags were found suitable for shortterm tagging (3% months) with largemouth bass. None of the tags were found suitable for long-term studies with the bass. Low retention rates were shown for all tags tested at the end of seven months. Almost no retention after a five-month period was realized from Atlantic croakers. Sterilizing tags and tagging instruments with 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol and a post-handling dip in malachite green solution were found to have no effect on growth or retention of tags on bluegills.
