THE sheep's-head. 319 



THE SHEEP'S-HEAD. 



This capital fish, which holds the same repute in America which 

 is held by the Turbot in Europe, is sometimes hooked by the rod-fisher 

 while angling for the Barb, Squeteague, or Striped Bass ; but when 

 this occurs, he generally beats his retreat successfully, carrying off" 

 with him bait, bottom-line and hooks together. 



Still he is sometimes mastered by delicate skill and judicious ad- 

 ministration of the reel, but then only by the best of tackle, manipula- 

 ted by the best of fishermen. Drop-lines of strong hempen cord, a 

 quarter of an inch thick, and two hundred yards long, with a heavy 

 sinker, and a large stout Black-Fish hook, will, however, pretty cer- 

 tainly bring him home. 



He frequents the vicinity of rocks, and loves to bite at the small 

 rock-crab, and the soft-shelled clam. 



The best way is to bait with the clam whole and unbroken, burying 

 the whole hook nearly to the arming in the neck of the clam. By 

 doing this, the incessant and vexatious nibbling of the small fish is 

 avoided ; and the shell of the clam is a mere nothing to the great 

 paved round teeth, which line the palate of this strong, voracious fish. 



Where small fish are not frequent, the clams may be put on open, 

 with success. 



The Sheep's-Head is becoming scarce in the harbor of New York, 

 and those brought into the city come mostly from the south bays of 

 Long Island. 



No fish is better on the table, or more valued. 



He is the highest prize of the salt-water angler, and the idol of the 

 epicure's adoration. 



Let him enjoy his reputation, he deserves it ; perhaps the know- 

 ledge of his posthumous honors may be a consolation to him in his 

 death-pang. 



