230 Bass, Pike, and Perch 



and plain ; it has a very prominent and distinct 

 round black spot just above the base of the pec- 

 toral fin, which has given rise to the name spot 

 in some localities. 



Like the croaker, the Lafayette resorts to 

 grassy and weedy situations in the brackish- 

 water bays, estuaries, and tributaries. In Florida 

 it is present all the year, but does not enter 

 northern waters until summer and autumn, when 

 it is often found in company with the croaker or 

 white-perch. It feeds on shrimps and other small 

 crustaceans and small mollusks. It spawns in 

 southern waters in the fall. Although but a 

 small fish, growing to eight or ten inches in 

 length, and usually to but six inches, it is a great 

 favorite as a pan-fish, as when perfectly fresh it is 

 a delicious tidbit or bonne-bouche of most excel- 

 lent flavor. 



The same tackle recommended for the croaker 

 is well adapted for the spot, though the hooks 

 should be smaller, Nos. 4 to 6. It is found in 

 the same situations as the croaker, and often in 

 shallow water, or about the piling of bridges and 

 wharves, wherever shrimps abound. My method, 

 many years ago, was to use a light cane rod, ten 

 or twelve feet in length, and a fine line of about 



