CONDITIONS WHICH GOVERN THE BITING OP FISH. 369 



Many bait-fishers have an abiding faith in the signs of 

 the Zodiac in influencing the biting of fish; believing that 

 when the " sign" is in the feet (Pisces), and also just before 

 and after, encroaching on the domains of the legs (Aquarius), 

 and head (Aries), that fish feed better than at other times. 

 Tliey, of course, always remember the successful occasions 

 at these periods, but soon forget, or imagine some satis- 

 factory reason for, the failures; and thus their superstitious 

 belief seldom weakens. 



The moon, likewise, is supposed by many to influence 

 the feeding offish. In Florida, the opinion is very preva- 

 lent among hunters and fishermen, that deer, fish, and 

 other animals feed principally when the moon is above the 

 horizon, night or day, particularly at moon-rise, moon- 

 south, and moon-set. This belief also obtains in other 

 sections of our country, and the adherents to the theory 

 are, withal, so, consistent, that their faith can not be shaken 

 by repeated failures, and they seldom hunt or fish except 

 when the " moon is right." 



While I am not a believer in the theory of the moon's 

 influence over terrestrial objects, I am not prepared to say 

 that there is nothing whatever in the moon affecting the 

 feeding of fish ; for while fish certainly feed much at 

 night, they seem to feed more especially on moonlight 

 nights. Still, I do not attribute this fact to any influence 

 possessed by the moon, beyond the light it affords, to enable 

 the fish to find their prey. I have often observed that 

 during the season of full-moon, fish were more apt to be 

 sluggish and off their feed during the day time ; and this 

 I have always attributed to the fact, that they did their 

 feeding mostly at nights, at such times. Many anglers 

 only fish from the last quarter until the new moon. 



