180 



THE BLACK-FISH 



quently tempt him when he refuses to taste the other. Anc! 

 he snaps very readily at the large finny worm of the salt 

 water beaches, (nereis,) when used on a hook for him. 



" Some persons, who live contiguous to the shores where 

 are situated the rocks frequented by tautog, invite the fish 

 there by baiting. By this is meant the throwing overboard 

 broken clams or crabs, to induce the black-fish to renew 

 their visits, and fine sport is procured. 



" Rocky shores and bottoms are the haunts of black-fish. 

 Long experience is required to find all these places of resort 

 Nice observations on the land-marks, in different directions, 

 are requisite to enable a fishing party to anchor on the proper 

 spot. When, for example, a certain rock and tree range one 

 way, with a barn window appearing over a headland the 

 other way, the boat being at the point where two such lines 

 intersect each other, is exactly over some famous rendezvous. 

 To insure success on such expectation, it is proper to have 

 a pilot along, well versed in all the local and minute know- 

 ledge. According to the number and distance of the rocks 

 and reefs visited, will be the time consumed, from the dura- 

 tion of a few hours to a long summer's day. An opinion pre- 

 vails, that the black-fish can hear very well; and, for fear of 

 scaring them away, the greatest stillness is observed. He is 

 a strong fish, and pulls well for one of his weight and size. 



"At some places black-fish bite best upon the flood: in 

 others, they are voracious during the ebb. Thunder accom- 

 panying a shower, is an indication that no more of them can 

 be caught. The appearance of a porpoise infallibly puts an 

 end to sport. Curious stories are told of fish in the wells 

 and ponds, floating in their native element, having been 

 found dead, after sharp and repeated flashes of lightning. 

 Dull weather, with an easterly wind, is generally the omen 

 of ill luck. The exploits performed in fishing for tautog, are 

 recounted occasionally, with remarkable glee, and they afford 



