THE BLUE FISH. 47 



Trolling for Blue Fish. 



The blue-fish is taken exclusively in salt water, 

 and only through the three summer months, at which 

 time he comes in from the sea. They are generally 

 fished by trolling, though in some places on Long 

 Island, experienced fishermen take them with a rod 

 on shore. The tackle is very easily prepared, and 

 costs but little, and the fish bite readily and are 

 caught without much trouble. A sail boat is neces- 

 sary, and if you want good sport, you should pro- 

 cure a guide who knows the ground where the blues 

 delight to congregate. A large size cotton line is 

 used, and it should be very strong, and 100 to 150 

 feet in length. An artificial squid made of bone, 

 mother-of-pearl, or metal, is the tempting bait. It 

 should be four inches long, of flat oval shape, and 

 should have a good sized Kirby hook on the end. 

 The size No. 0000 is about right. The hook must 

 be so placed that its point is on a range with the flat 

 side of the squid. Let the boat be sailed some four 

 or five miles an hour, and should you be able to dis- 

 cover the exact position of the school, (they usually 

 go in schools,) you must cross and re-cross the spot 

 constantly, as the fish will not generally be moving 

 about. When a fish is struck, the line should be 

 pulled in steadily do not jerk it, or let it slack, or 

 you may lose your fish. On getting the fishin hand, 

 you can easily shake him off the hook by holding 

 your squid with the hook uppermost. Always haul 

 in your line when tacking the boat, or you may lose 



