Fish and Fishing 



biting. Back of these are others, in two or three 

 rows, which are crushers or grinders. These are 

 suggestive of the habits of the sheepshead, 

 which is equipped by nature to live upon 

 shells and crustaceans, and wherever found, it 

 feeds upon young oysters, barnacles, cockles, and 

 crabs of various kinds. With the front teeth it 

 wrenches shells from rocks or piers and passes 

 them to the grinders where they are crushed. It is 

 caught on all kinds of tackle, but the 

 most popular is the same as that used for 

 the tautog, which it resembles in many ways. The 

 rod is a short, medium casting rod for the ocean, 

 with strong line, and large wooden reel; for in- 

 side bays, an eight-ounce bait rod, linen line, 

 stout single leader, multiplying reel, a swivel 

 sinker attached to the line and a No. 2 sprout 

 hook. The best baits are oysters, clams, and 

 crabs. In baiting the hook with a small crab, it 

 should be done so that the point of the hook 

 passes through from the belly through the back, 

 taking great care not to crush the body in hooking. 

 If the hook is put through nearer the head, it will 

 last much longer. The best time is during flood 

 tide and the first and last of the ebb tide. When 



. ' the fish takes the bait it should be struck 

 Striking , ... 



sharply, but not too soon not till a 



second or third tug is felt, The time to strike is 

 when it has the bait well in toward the crushers. 

 After striking, when the hook is secure, give the 

 fish line, for the first few dashes are most severe 

 on the tackle, especially with a weighty fish. 

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