FISHES OF THE EAST ATLANTIC COAST. 95 



fifteen feet long and tie one end of each about some pieces of lean 

 meat ; let this sink to the bottom, if it will not sink put on a lead 

 sinker or any other heavy thing that is handy. When the bait has 

 found bottom you will know when a crab has taken the bait by the 

 straightening out of the line. Now haul up the bait slowly and 

 evenly ; the gluttonous crab will still cling to it, and just when you 

 can see the bait dimly through the water and the crab waving his 

 claws about it, lower the scap net from one side, gradually working 

 it under the crab. As soon as he sees you he will let go, but if the 

 man with the scap net is quick and steady the crab will go into the 

 net every time. 



The best bait of all is a sheepshead with the skin taken off, 

 and to secure one you will have to speak beforehand to your butcher. 

 The next best bait is meat without any fat, else you will have trou- 

 ble sinking it, and when you are unable to get either of these baits 

 fish heads make an excellent substitute. The bigger your hand-net 

 the better for use ; have the handle not over five feet long for boat 

 fishing. Paint net and all sea-green. The best stage of the tide to 

 catch crabs is while the water is rising. At the first of the flood tin 

 crabs come in on the flats from the channels. As the season draws 

 to a close the crabs improve in flavor. 



Even if the angler is indifferent oa the subject of crab-fishing, 

 what would he do if he had not that bait of all baits, the shedder- 

 crab, by which is known the crab just ready to cast his shell. You 

 can readily detect a shedder-crab among a lot of hard fellows by 

 pinching the under side of the two side joints. If these are very 

 weak and break easily, you can take off all the shell and find a thin 

 blue skin underneath it. I advise every one who can to go crabbing, 

 it is great fun, and if the crabs are plentiful you are apt to catch, 

 more than you can carry home. 



THE LOBSTER Homarus americantts (Edwards.) 



Are you surprised, indulgent reader of the angler's craft ? Well, 



I don't wonder that you are. Faith! I would be myself if I were 



you. You have read of the peaceful crab and how he is caught 



but the lobster, among the game fishes of the coast ! what next ? As- 



