254 Bass, Pike, and Perch 



though I am convinced, from numerous trials 

 and tests, that it is not so good a fish in southern 

 waters as in the North, having a sharp, saline 

 taste that is not agreeable to most palates. 

 While confined to salt and brackish waters in the 

 North, it often ascends the rivers of Florida to 

 fresh water. I have seen it in the large springs, 

 the head waters of several rivers on the Gulf coast, 

 its barred sides being plainly discernible on the 

 bottom at a depth of fifty or seventy-five feet, in 

 the clear and crystal-like water. 



The difference in flavor between the sheeps- 

 head of the North and South may perhaps be due 

 to the character of their food. It is especially 

 noticeable that fishes of the salt water that pass 

 the winter season in the deep sea, as the salmon, 

 shad, etc., possess a more superior flavor than 

 those that feed constantly and during the entire 

 year along the shores. While nothing is really 

 known concerning the spawning habits of the 

 sheepshead in northern waters, it probably spawns 

 in early summer. From my own knowledge I 

 can say that it spawns in Florida, on the Gulf 

 coast, during March and April. Its eggs are 

 very small, about thirty to the inch, are buoyant 

 or floating, and hatch in two days. 



