228 Bass, Pike, and Perch 



crustacean known as the wood-louse, or sow-bug, 

 — probably an isopod. 



A very light rod, a fine linen line, snelled 

 hooks Nos. I to 3, and a small sinker or brass 

 swivel for connecting line and snell are all that 

 are needed for the croaker, as a reel is not neces- 

 sary. The boat is anchored on grassy flats in 

 water from six to twelve feet in depth. Shrimp 

 is the best bait, though cut-bait of clam or fish 

 is good. A float may be used to keep the bait 

 from the bottom in still water. While this fish 

 and the next, the spot or Lafayette, are usually 

 classed as small fry, and particularly suited to 

 boy anglers, they are such good pan-fish that 

 many "grown-ups " are quite enthusiastic in their 

 capture. They hold about the same relation 

 to the more important game-fishes of the coast 

 that the sunfishes do to the black-bass, trout, 

 pike, etc., of inland waters. When no better fish- 

 ing offers they will fill the void very satisfactorily 

 when light and suitable tackle is employed. 



THE LAFAYETTE 



(^Leiostomus xanthnrtis) 



The Lafayette, spot, or goody, as it is variously 

 called, was described by Lacepede, in 1802, from 



