THE PERCH FAMILY. 85 



lip of the minnow ; and the largei hook, as just described, 

 through the back. To increase the spinning or twirling of 

 the bait in its passage through the water, it is better to put 

 on the minnow slightly bent, which is done by passing the 

 larger hook through the back nearer to the tail than you 

 would when you intend the minnow to swim straight, and 

 then doubling it a little. 



In baiting with shrimps, which are good in some waters, 

 and at certain seasons, a float should be used, if the tide is 

 not too strong ; this bait should not touch the bottom, as 

 Rockfish are not in the habit of looking for them there ; it 

 should also be kept in motion by occasional short jerks or 

 twitches of the rod. Soft crabs are always found on the 

 bottom by the fish, when feeding on them, and, of course, in 

 using crab-bait, you should fish near the bottom, whether it 

 be with or without a float. I have sometimes found Rock- 

 fish so well on the feed, as to take a slice or oblong piece of 

 fish-bait, readily striking at it, if it is white and well put on ; 

 for, like other fish, they have not the delicate sense of taste, 

 that anglers give them credit for. 



The pearl minnow, or a tuft of raw cotton, or a white rag 

 tied on a hook, will frequently take small Rockfish, where a 

 strong tide sweeps under a bridge, or around the corner of a 

 pier. The fish wait in the eddies on the lee side of the tim- 

 bers of the bridge, or angles of the pier, for minnows or 

 shrimp ; and seize any small object having the appearance of 

 life. There is no doubt that at such times, a light colored fly, 

 particularly the white moth, would be taken greedily, though 

 a white rag answers the purpose as well. Half flood is the 

 best time of tide for such fishing. The pearl minnow should 

 be drawn against the current, a few inches below the surface, 

 and near the edge of the eddy ; the angler being careful to 

 keep out of sight and not to cast his shadow over the swim. 



