196 



It is sometimes highly interesting to watch the mo- 

 tions of these depredators, when they get on the shal- 

 lows in pursuit of dace, gravlings, &c. They sometimes 

 are so extremely eager, as to run absolutely out of their 

 clement, and to lay exposed on die shore. But they 

 are very alert in gaining the water. I have seen several 

 large jacks so situated; indeed I have known one of 

 more than six pounds weight, to be caught by a boy, 

 who put his foot on him and lifted him very neatly. 



Here it is proper to observe, that a jack has remarkable 

 sharp teem, both in his jaws and on his tongue 3 and 

 that his bite is extremely severe ! On this account, it is 

 dangerous to handle him for the purpose of taking the 

 hook out, as you would do with other fishes. The only 

 safe way is to take him by the eyes, pressing your thumb 

 and linger strongly into their sockets. 



Jf the jacks are very large, the siiare is an admirable 

 aid ; for when once you have them haltered, and fast by 

 theeyjs, you can manage them well enough. 



When you want to get your hook out of the /a^'sjaws, 

 turn him on his side, and set the hollow of your foot close 

 behind his gills ; then, with your spud, wrench open his 

 mouth, and introduce your tliagorgcr. 



If the hooks are in the maw, as they usually are under 

 the gorging system, open the fish's stomach about the 

 middle, and you will be about opposite to, or rather under 

 the points j so that your gimp will be safe. Cut away the 

 parts that are hooked, and unslipping the knot that holds 

 the gimp to the reel -line, draw your 'bait, hooks, and 

 gimp, all through the aperture you made in the stomach. 



This will disfigure the fish far less than cutting down 



