318 AMERICAN FISHES 



is an indication that no more of them can be caught. The appearance 

 of a porpoise infallibly puts an end to sport. Curious stories are told 

 of fish in the wells and ponds, floating in their native element, having 

 been found dead, after sharp and repeated flashes of lightning. Dull 

 weather, with an easterly wind, is generally the omen of ill luck. 

 The exploits performed in fishing for Tautog, are recounted occasion- 

 ally, with remarkable glee ; and they afford a never-failing theme of 

 entertainment to those who are engaged in that sort of adventure. 

 Though the hand line is generally used, the rod is sometimes employ- 

 ed to great advantage. The Black-Fish is remarkable for retaining 

 life a long time after he is taken out of water. He sometimes swims 

 over even ground, and is caught in seans." 



A stout trolling rod, with a strong flaxen line, and a reel, are the 

 best implements. The hooks should be those known universally as 

 the Black-Fish hook, of various sizes, according to the angler's taste, 

 ranging from three to ten. These should be armed two being used, 

 which is the proper number on hook links of trebly-twisted gut, re- 

 spectively, of twelve and fifteen inches, which links should be securely 

 fastened to a small brass ring. This ring is to be looped to the end 

 of the line to which the sinker is appended. 



This is the best arrangement of the hooks for all salt-water shoal 

 bait fishing. 



The Black-Fish is entirely a bottom fish, and is caught everywhere 

 within his geographical range, in whirls and eddies, in the close vici- 

 nity of rocks and reefs. 



Robin's reef, at the entrance of the Kills, is a favorite feeding- 

 ground ; and some years since I had rare sport daily for many weeks, 

 about the hull of the wrecked packet ship Henri Quatre, below the 

 Narrows. 



The rocks off the well-known watering house, the Sachem's Head, 

 on the Sound, and many other rocks in the bays and Sound of Long 

 Island, are of equal reputation. 



He must be struck sharply, and pulled up without a moment's 

 quarter. 



He is better in the pan than on the hook, and better on the table 

 than in the pan. How you may cook him you shall learn hereafter. 



