4(i IISHKS OF THE EAST ATLANTIC COAST. 



blue, and on the sides are nunierous gold spots, oval in shape. 

 The abdomen is of a copper hue ; the gill-covers are also coppery, in 

 some lights reflecting a silver brightness. 



The fact that the bonito has no visible scales, and is barred, not 

 spotted, ought to serve at once to distinguish between the bonito and 

 -Spanish mackerel. 



When the Spanish mackerel is taken by hook and line it is while 

 trolling. They do not run so close to the shore as the l^lucfisih, and 

 this is why the angler so infrequenth' meets with them. Though some- 

 times caught by fishermen while bluefishing, yet when a trij) is made 

 tfpecially for the mackerel it is best to change the bluefish tackle, 

 substituting a smaller spoon and lighter sinker. The Spanish mackerel 

 takes the bait with a snap, makes a short and gallant fight, and when 

 lie yields gives up thoroughly, having no more struggle in him. Off 

 the Southern coast I understand the capture of S^ianish mackerel 

 with hook and line is practiced frequently and with success. The 

 baits used are the same as in bluefishing, and the months -when the 

 mackerel appear on the Jersey and New York coast are August and 

 September. 



The Spanish mackerel, like many other good fish, is a nomad, and 

 is a traveller from warmer seas, having first been seen in the Medi- 

 terranean, and now being caught almost everywhere. In size they 

 ^^ary from one to six pounds; they come larger, bat I never have 

 -gpen any exceeding the latter weight. 



The four fish, the drum, kingnsh, bonito and Spanish mackerel, 

 are all highly valued additions to our fish supply, giving enjoyment 

 to the angler and food to the many. They are all remarkable for 

 the beauty of their coloring — it would be hard to find their equal 

 in this respect among fresh w.aters — and it is a curious fact that the 

 colors of salt water fiish are less changeable than those of their 

 fresh water brethren. Not only more unvarying are the tints flash- 

 ing from the scales of the dwellers of the deep, but far more vivid. 

 The clear yellow of the pompano, the pure white of the striped 

 bass, the deep red of the drum, and the metallic green and blues and 

 silver of the bonito and Spanish mackerel, have no rivals in the lakes 

 and rivers of the inland 



