Miscellaneous Fishes 357 



being band-shaped, with very small head and 

 loose, transparent tissues. I have found them 

 abundant on the Gulf coast of Florida. The 

 lady-fish grows to a length of from one to three 

 feet, and to a weight of from one to twelve pounds, 

 though it is usually taken from two to five 

 pounds. It is a good food-fish, highly esteemed 

 at Key West and in the Bermudas by those who 

 know it best. 



For its size it is one of the gamest fishes of 

 the seacoast. When hooked it fights as much 

 in the air as in the water, continually leaping 

 above the surface like an animated silver shuttle, 

 to which I likened it more than twenty years ago. 

 It is now becoming better known to anglers who 

 visit Florida in the winter season, who recognize 

 in it much more enjoyable sport on light tackle 

 than they can obtain with the heavy tools required 

 for the tarpon and jewfish. 



A black-bass rod, or the Little Giant rod of 

 eight ounces, is light enough, as a heavier fish 

 than the lady-fish is apt to be hooked. A good 

 multiplying reel and fifty yards of braided linen 

 line, size F, and Sproat hooks, No. i or 2, on 

 gut snells, will be found eminently suitable. No 

 sinker is needed, as the fishing is done on the 



