ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 



33 



-% 



bonefish ; 

 Bony-fish ; 

 Ten Pounder ; 

 John-Mariggle ; 

 Big Eyed Herring 

 Matajuelo Real ; 

 Lisa Francesa. 



Illustration. Page. 



21. " ELOPS SAURUS." 179 411 



"Head, 3% ; depth, 4. D. 15; A. 8 ; scales, 

 9-71-7. Upper lobe of caudal the longer. A 

 broad band of peculiar, elongate, membrana- 

 ceous scales along middle line of back ; acces- 

 sory ventral scale large. Brilliantly silvery ; 

 olivaceous above ; back and sides with faint 

 streaks along the rows of scales ; fins plain ; 

 axils dusky. Length 18 inches to 3 feet." Weight to 10 pounds; 

 average about 4*4 pounds. 



Caught, preferably, on banks or bars where there are short weeds, 

 or in some cases near passes and sand bars, near shores, and in shal- 

 low bays. This fish runs onto the shallow water to feed, with the 

 tide, and off with the tide. Caught still fishing on bottom. Rod 

 and Reel, No. 6 or 9 Line, 3$ or 4f hook, strong gut leader 12 to 18 

 inches, No. 6, 7 or 8 Egg Sinker. He is a Mollusca and Crustacas 

 eater, and was first caught for sport with sand fleas and Fiddler Crabs ; 

 but at present the Soldier or Hermit Crab is mostly used, although the 

 Sand Crab, or "Sprite," is a good bait. Commence to fish with the 

 rise of the tide, fasten the boat with an oar pushed into the sand, 

 cast as far as possible, sit still, and wait for a bite. The fish can usu- 

 ally be seen, when present, as their tails and dorsal fins stick out of 

 water until the tide is too high to show. They wander over the 

 banks like a drove of cattle feeding, and may or may not come along 

 where your bait is. If they see it, some one of them will make a 

 rush for it, and the fun begins. They have a long majestic run ; as 

 they cannot go down they make it up in horizontal distance, often 

 200 to 300 feet from the boat. Play the fish until he surrenders, 



