Popular Salt=Water Game Fish 



The four principal baits for wcakfish are 



shrimps, shcdder crabs, sand worms, and spearing. 



The last named are best, especially for the big 



tide runners. They are always hungry, so that 



the bait most convenient to get will prob- 

 Rait 



ably do. Whatever bait the angler may use, 



he must remember that "chumming" is one of 

 the necessary things in weakfishing; "chum" con- 

 stantly, but not too freely. Shrimps are the best 

 to use for "chum," next best are chopped Lafay- 

 ettes, porgies, sea robins, hard clams, and horse 

 mussels. 



There is never any doubt when a weakfish bites; 

 it does not nibble round the hook, but takes the 

 bait at one fair swoop and then starts off with it like 

 a limited express with time to make up. It is a 

 shy fish, easily frightened, and the man who uses 

 a small line, light leaders and snells to the hook, 

 is the one who is apt to have the best luck. When 

 the fish strikes keep a taut line all the 

 time; lead the fish instead of tugging or 

 hauling it, and let it run if it wishes, but lead it back 

 and land it with a net. The latter is perhaps the 

 most important part of the tackle. A net is sure 

 and safe. Lifting the fish over the boat side leads 

 to more losses than anything else. Weakfish may 

 be caught in the surf by the same 

 Ocean and method as that used in striped-bass 

 Fishing fishing, with tackle similar but lighter. 



They may also be caught in the 

 ocean, trolling in the manner employed for blue- 

 fishing. For bait use the artificial squid of bone, 

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