THE WEAK -FISH. 173 



company the basse in salt water, they generally swim deeper, 

 more in the eddies, and farther off from the shore. The 

 experienced angler will often after angling for basse without 

 success, change his ground, drop his bait a little deeper in 

 the water, and return satisfied with his quota of weak-fish if 

 not his expected sport in basse. 



Although they are not as active when hooked, and do not 

 compare as a game fish with the basse. the same description 

 of tackle is requisite ; and the angler who occasionally lays 

 off with a slack line, has to suffer some from the larger and 

 more nimble rock, who will often be off with hooks, line, 

 float and sinker, without particular notice. 



Some of those who make the squeteague a favorite object 

 of their pursuit, prefer a light, round, bent hook called the 

 Aberdeen, and others a light Kirby size No. 1, which they 

 think increases their chance of success. A large hook, say 

 No. 1. or even No. 0, on the whole, should be used, although 

 the Limerick * is a good and sure hook. The Kirby, baited 

 with a good sized shrimp, will be found for this weak 

 mouthed animal a more sufficient guaranty for the faithful 

 landing of any size that swims. 



A friend who pursues this sport during the season, with 

 much success, says "I once saw one taken by a friend of 

 mine, that weighed eight pounds and a half, which is the 

 largest I ever saw." You frequently take from 10 to 40 

 pounds of this fish in a day, when they are in abundance. 

 The afternoon tides are always the best, about two hours 

 before sundown, and as long after that as they keep from 

 croaking, when you had better leave off, as you will take no 

 more of them. 



* Some prefer the Limerick, slightly curbed, both for rock and sque- 

 teague. 



