IMPLEMENTS. 421 



remarkable for retaining life a long time after he is taken out 

 of water. He sometimes swims over even ground, and is 

 caught in seans." 



A stout trolling-rod, with a strong flaxen line, and a reel, are 

 the best implements. The hooks should be those known 

 universally as the Black Fish hook, of various sizes, according 

 to the angler's taste, ranging from three to ten. These should 

 be armed — two being used, which is the proper number — on 

 hook links of trebly-twisted gut, respectively, of twelve and 

 fifteen inches, which links should be securely fastened to a small 

 brass ring. The ring is to be hooped to the end of the line to 

 which the sinker is appended. 



This is the best arrangement of the hooks for all salt-water 

 shoal bait-fishing. 



The Black Fish is entirely a bottom fish, and is caught every- 

 where within his geographical range, in whirls and eddies, in 

 the close vicinity of rocks and reefs. 



Robin's Reef, at the entrance of the Kills, is a favourite 

 feeding ground ; and some years since I had rare sport daily 

 for many weeks, about the hull of the wrecked packet-ship, 

 Henri Quatre, below the Narrows. 



The rocks off the well-known watering house, the Sachem's 

 Head, on the Sound, and many other rocks in the Bays and 

 Sound of Long Island, are of equal reputation. 



He must be struck sharply, and pulled up without a 

 moment's quarter. 



He is better in the pan than on the hook, and better on the 

 table than in the pan. How you may cook him you shall learn 

 hereafter. 



