Miscellaneous Fishes 369 



connect the snell with the reel line ; a sinker 

 may be used or not, depending on the strength 

 of the tide, though the fishing is usually prac- 

 tised in quiet water, and not in the tideways. 



A small fish, mullet or sardine, or fiddler-crab 

 bait, will prove very enticing to the snook, 

 though the minnow is better adapted for casting. 

 The fishing is much like black-bass fishing in 

 fresh waters, and the snook takes the bait in its 

 mouth in much the same way as a bass, starting 

 off at once with a great commotion if near the 

 surface. Its desperate and vigorous spurts and 

 rushes are apt to put one's tackle in jeopardy if 

 the fish is large, and it must be handled with 

 caution and skill. 



For fly-fishing, a rod of nine or ten ounces is 

 not too heavy where the fish run large. A heavy 

 braided linen line, size D or E, is best for casting 

 the fly in salt water. Black-bass flies of showy 

 patterns, on hooks No. i or 2, as coachman, 

 silver-doctor, polka, oriole, red ibis, professor, etc., 

 will answer. The most favorable time is on the 

 flood tide near the inlets, or toward evening if 

 in quiet coves or lagoons. The fly should be 

 repeatedly cast and then allowed to sink a foot or 

 two. If fishing from a boat, it must be kept in 



