96 FISHING IN AMERICAN WATEES. 



color of the fish is gray, with irregular marks nearly black. 

 It is covered with fine, rigid scales, which extend over the 

 head. The first dorsal is spinous, and all the other fins are 

 soft-rayed. The fish possesses great propulsive power, as in- 

 dicated by its fins, so that a three-pounder at the remote end 

 of a line, with delicate bass rod, generally induces the novice 

 to believe the strength, speed, and endurance of the fish un- 

 der-estimated. "Gently, but firmly," are the words in play- 

 ing a kingfish, which some denominate " barb," because a 

 short adipose barb shoots out beneath its lower jaw ; but it 

 bears no resemblance to> the barbel family. It spawns in 

 spring-time, as most white-meated fishes do; and, though 

 rather solitary in its habits, it remains in our estuaries and 

 small bays along the coast from May until November. Au- 

 gust and September are the best months to angle for it ; and 

 as the tackle required should be adapted to its size of mouth 

 and great propulsive power, the following cut may assist the 

 angler who would enjoy the sport of taking the fish, which 

 for his inches is eminently the king of game fishes. 



The rod is the common three-jointed bass-rod, from eight 

 to ten feet in length. Pivot, multiplying reel of German sil- 

 ver or brass, large enough to carry from four to six hundred 

 feet of fine linen line. 



The play of a kingfish is peculiar, though like the striped 

 bass he takes the bait without hesitation and starts away, 

 and when he feels the prick of the hook, accelerates his speed, 

 swimming low, and making a very long and strong run. If 

 you have never taken one you will be puzzled with his invet- 

 erate persistence in keeping down and running deep, and 

 your surprise will not be diminished when he finally breaks 

 water a hundred yards from the boat ; and you will wonder, 

 after landing a fish which has taken you nearly half an hour 

 to kill, that it weighs scarcely three pounds. The vital spark 

 of the kingfish is very brilliant, and he is very tenacious of it ; 

 but, once landed, he exhibits a vanquished look, and his or- 

 ange-colored eyes and scaly head turn downward, as if both 



