THE SQUETE AGUES. 115 



Waquoit, Mass., August 9, 1875, the only instance of such a capture in 

 the course of many years' careful exploration of that region. Young fish, 

 four inches long, are common in Southern New Jersey in August. The 

 growth of the species is quite rapid, the weight of four pounds apparently 

 being attained in about three years. The largest I remember to have 

 seen weighed about ten pounds, though this is not an unusual size. 



The Squeteague, as well as the bluefish, varies in size with the locality. 

 While on the coast of New Jersey they do not average much over one 

 pound, they are stated to occasionally attain the weight of from six to ten 

 pounds, and have even been known to weigh thirty. 



The Squeteague in the South is a resident fish, although said by Hol- 

 brook to be most abundant and largest in the autumnal months, when, in 

 his opinion, they come from the north. It is not satisfactorily ascertained, 

 however, whether these fish, leaving the northern coast during winter 

 time, migrate southward or more towards the warm waters of the Gulf 

 Stream. They return to the coast of the Middle or Northern States 

 early in the spring, the first being taken in Maw and are most abundant 

 from June to September. 



Although its flesh is soft, it is delicately flavored, and is one of the 

 favorite food-fishes of the South Atlantic and Gulf States, its chief rivals 

 being the pompano, the whiting, the sheepshead and the red snapper. 

 In the North the Squeteague is in moderate demand, particularly at the 

 close of the shad season. 



Among anglers, according to the late Genio C. Scott, this fish is con- 

 sidered as second in interest among those of the coasts and estuaries. In 

 the opinion of this eminent authority, the striped bass holds the highest 

 rank. 



Prof. Baird has written; "The sport of catching the Squeteague is 

 very great, and is highly enjoyed by many fishermen, on account of the 

 great number that can be taken in a very short time. They swim near 

 the surface and require a line but little leaded. They take almost any kind 

 of bait, especially clams, soft crabs or pieces of fish. They take the hook 

 with a snap, rarely condescending to nibble, and constant vigilance is neces- 

 sary, as well as extreme care in hauling them out of the water, on account 

 of the extreme tenderness of the mouth. During the flood tide they keep 

 in the channel-ways of the bays, and at the ebb they generally settle in 

 some deep hole, where they remain until the flood entices them out again. 



