THE SHEEPSHEAD. 



"Patient and motionless he waits, 

 Unmindful of all meaner prize; 

 His hand upon the humming line, 

 Fixed on his task his eager eyes; 

 The tiashing bluefish may rush by, 

 The pig-like porpoise tumble near, 

 The dusky shark may lash the foam. 

 And sturgeon from the wave leap clear. 

 He heeds not — but awaits the jerk 

 Of sheepshead, down below that lurk." 



It is for the hotel perhaps more than for the hook that the sheepshead 

 is prized, but there is considerable skill required and a fair amount of 

 excitement found in fishing for this species. The name is derived from 

 the appearance of the mouth and projecting teeth, givnig the fish power to 

 "graze" on the molluscs which adhere to rocks, sunken logs, stakes, etc. 

 This peculiarity is taken advantage of by natives along the Virginia coast 

 who form pens by driving split stakes into the bottom of the sounds or 

 inlets, arranging these stakes in a circle or square, and the molluscs attached 

 thereto form an irresistible attraction for the sheepshead during the annual 

 run or migration of the fish. 



The fish is somewhat uncouth in appearance, with its large head, huge 

 projecting teeth and back arched in a great hump, a large dorsal fin run- 

 ning nearly the entire length, armed with strong sharp spines which can 

 be raised or lowered at will. The sheepshead is beautiful in color, how- 

 ever, and is a rare delicacy as an article of food — these qualities relieving 

 the fish of the charge of absolute ugliness. 



A stout rod — similar in size to the striped bass rod — a multiplying 

 reel, braided linen line, with swivel and tracing sinker, a double gut leader, 

 a stout hook with short shank, baited with shedder crab or soft clam, will 

 be found a good outfit for still fishing, the usual method of catching sheeps- 

 head at Barnegat, Rockaway Beach, Long Branch, Atlantic City, South 

 Bay, and other popular angling resorts. A taut line is necessary to enable 

 the angler to feel the slightest nibble, as the sheepshead is a cautious 

 feeder. 



