342 THE BLACK BASS. 



coasts of Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas, there 

 is an abundance of deep-sea fishing, which would well 

 repay the piscator for the inconvenience of roughing it 

 a nioht or two on board a half-decked boat. 



The splendid Eed-Fish stands at the head of the salt- 

 water list, as the black bass takes the first place 

 amono'st the river and lake fishes. It has some re- 

 semblance to an English chubb, both in form and in 

 the size of its scales, but differs in its colour, from the 

 pink hue of which the fish has been named. Properly 

 speaking, it is a kind of red mullet ; and an Englishman 

 catching one for the first time, would most probably 

 call it by that name. Difi'erence of temperature, as 

 well as greater abundance and variety of food, have 

 made it, in a few minor points, unlike those taken about 

 the coast of this island. 



At hio-hwater the red-fish comes towards the shore, 

 and is eagerly angled for by those who know how de- 

 licious its flesh is. A prawn, or a very small crab, with 

 the shell broken and claws removed, is used as a bait ; 

 at either of these the red-fish bites freely. Before he 

 can be landed he fights hard for life, making an exciting 

 and game struggle, especially if it is a large-sized one. 

 The red-fish is frequently caught, weighing forty 

 pounds. 



Another capital fish is a species of sea trout, which 

 all the white men in the South call the ' Weak-Fish.' If 

 cooked as soon as it is caught, its flesh is delicious 



