The Steeps bead Family 255 



A good rod for sheepshead fishing is the 

 natural bamboo rod, known as the striped-bass 

 chum rod. It is light, and strong enough to 

 withstand the vicious tugs, spurts, and especially 

 the propensity of boring toward the bottom, that 

 is characteristic of this fish. A rod of steel, or 

 lancewood, or ash and greenheart, or bethabara, 

 though heavier, is better and stronger. It should 

 be about eight feet in length, with double guides. 

 A multiplying reel carrying sixty yards of braided 

 linen line, size E or F, Sproat hooks, Nos. i-o to 

 3-0 on gimp snells, with sinkers, and a wide- 

 mouthed landing-net, make up the rest of the 

 tackle. The short barb, with cutting edges, of 

 the Sproat hook renders it superior to the Vir- 

 ginia, Chestertown, or blackfish hooks formerly 

 so much in vogue for the sheepshead. A brass 

 box-swivel is necessary for connecting the line 

 with the snell of the hook. 



While the sheepshead often bites at all stages 

 of the tide, the most favorable time is about slack 

 water ; from that stage, to half flood or half ebb, 

 good success may usually be expected. The 

 largest fish are taken from a boat anchored over 

 or near mussel shoals or oyster beds. Smaller 

 ones can be caught from old wharves or bridges 



