Fish and Fishing 



up the creeks to feed in the saU meadows, and 

 there will take the hook freely, especially if baited 

 with shrimps. Their habit of floating slowly into 

 the bays with the incoming tide is mostly on, or 

 near the surface, at flood, or nearly flood; the 

 largest specimens may be seen at the top of the 

 water, with the tall dorsal fin just above the surface; 

 at times they will jump and splash much in the 

 manner of trout. 



The most favorable tide for catching them is 

 generally considered the latter half of the flood 

 and the first half of the ebb tide, in the bays and 

 flats. In the ocean, the ebbing tide is 

 best. It is necessary to "feel" for 

 weakfish; sometimes they run on the surface, at 

 other times on the bottom ; it all depends on where 

 the food happens to be in that particular place. 

 It is well to try the bottom, then a few feet from 

 the bottom, then at the top. 



The usual rig for weakfishing is a light, stiff rod, 

 not more than five feet six inches long, weighing 

 ten to fifteen ounces, made of bamboo or green- 

 heart, in two pieces, butt and tip, having good 

 solid guides. Use a linen line, fine, but strong, and 

 multiplying reel, holding 300 feet. The baited hook 

 should be attached to the line with a three 

 or four foot double leader (without sinker), 

 and allowed to drift with the current. If the current 

 be very swift use a split shot, or a pearl squid. If the 

 fish are not feeding on the surface use a one-ounce 

 sinker, attached just above the leader with float. 

 If fishing deep a 2^ -ounce sinker should be used. 



