198 SCIENCE OF FISHING. 



weight of twelve pounds. In northern waters the kingfish 

 is not the same as these southern fish and does not get as 

 large, seldom going over five pounds, and usually much 

 smaller. For these common bass tackle may be used. The 

 bait may be sand worm, shedder crab, shrimp or clam. The 

 fishing is done from an anchored boat near rocky places. 



The cunner is a small fish of about a half pound weight 

 found in the North Atlantic and common on the New Eng- 

 land coast. It is the same in salt water as the sunfish 

 is in the streams, the delight of the iboy fisherman, though 

 despised by anglers who are after larger game as it takes 

 the bait of any kind all too readily. Any kind of light 

 tackle may be used for these fish. 



The sea bass is found all along the coast from Massa- 

 chusetts to Florida. It grows to about ten pounds, but the 

 more common weight is from one-half pound to two pounds. 

 It may be caught by bottom fishing near rocky reefs, baiting 

 with clam, shedder crab or sand worms. Light salt-water 

 tackle should be used, and a No. 1/0 or 2/0 hook. 



The tautog is a popular bottom feeding food fish, com- 

 mon along the New Jersey coast, and known usually as 

 blackfish. It is fished for from the rocks and precipitous 

 shores, and from boats anchored near reefs. Clams, crabs 

 and worms are used for bait. The fish weighs two or three 

 pounds in near-shore waters, though it sometimes weighs 

 as much as ten, and as high as twenty when caught in the 

 open ocean. The best fishing is in April and May. The 

 best time is during flood tide. Medium salt-water tackle 

 and stout hooks, about No. 3 Virginia pattern, should be 

 used for open sea fishing, and the same hook but somewhat 

 lighter tackle may be used along shore. 



A small fish called the spot or Lafayette is found in 

 abundance all along the coast from New York southward. 

 It seldom, if ever, goes over a pound in weight. It is a 

 fine food fish and a good fighter. They are caught in large 



