Tautog or Blackfish 



and sand dollars. Many of the mollusks 

 they swallow, shells and all, ejecting the 

 hard parts after the flesh has been digested. 

 Angling from rocks for tautog is a favor- 

 ite pursuit of amateur fishermen all along 

 the coast, particularly about New York, 

 where there are precipitous shores, the fish- 

 erman standing. 



On Long Island Sound and other pro- 

 tected waters, they are usually fished for 

 from boats anchored among the reefs or 

 near wrecked vessels, and shell-covered 

 piles and wharfs and rocky bottoms are 

 very good places. At some places they bite 

 best upon the flood tide; in others they are 

 voracious during the ebb tide. Thunder 

 accompanying a shower is an indication 

 that no more of them can be caught. The 

 appearance of a porpoise infalliby puts an 

 end to the sport. Dull weather, with an 

 easterly wind, is generally the omen of ill 

 luck. Some anglers bait for them by 

 throwing overboard broken clams or crabs 

 to induce them to renew their visit. When 

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