Tbe Bluefisb 161 



suggested that they spawned late in the year, 

 as small bluefish were seen at Beaufort in 

 December; but the question is an open one. 

 About ten per cent of the young of each fish 

 are supposed to attain maturity. When about 

 fourteen inches long the weight is a pound. A 

 fish two feet in length will weigh about seven 

 pounds, and the early spring fish often range 

 from seven to ten pounds in weight, larger 

 and more robust specimens appearing later in 

 the season. As to the spawning habits of the 

 fish in the Gulf of Mexico there is more definite 

 data. According to Mr. Stearns it is very abun- 

 dant on the Gulf Stream coast as far west as 

 the mouth of the Mississippi River. It arrives 

 in April or the last of March, there being several 

 distinct " runs." The first to arrive are smaller 

 than those coming later. Then, every fish 

 Mr. Stearns found in spawn, and that it is 

 deposited at this time, in the months of May, 

 June, July, and August, he is confident, as he 

 has caught young bluefish in June and August 

 not over three-quarters of an inch in length. In 

 June nearly all the adults disappear from view, 

 and in November and December the young fish 

 are seen to pass through the inlets and go to sea. 



