SALT-WATER FISH AND FISHING. 285 



line to be carried out by the tide some distance from the boat ; 

 thus fishing over more ground than when angling at the end 

 of your rod with only a sinker ; your chances of a bite are 

 still more increased as your line is reeled in. An excellent 

 plan when the fish are scattered, is to cast as far as you can, 

 and reel your line in slowly, allowing your bait to rest 

 awhile, and then giving two or three turns of your reel- 

 crank, drawing the bait home by degrees. This plan, though, 

 is objectionable if there are weeds or much grass floating 

 about. 



Tackle. — A stout, pliant rod of twelve feet, with a stiflish 

 tip ; an easy-running reel, with fifty to a hundred yards of 

 fine flax line, and stout gut leaders ; the hooks should be as 

 large as 00. 



Baits. — Soft crabs beyond all comparison are the most 

 certain ; though a white piece of fish-bait,* with the skin 

 adhering to make it stay on the hook, or even the eye of the 

 fish will answer, if they are well on the feed. 



Great numbers of these fish are taken with the hand-line 

 by what is called " drifting :" that is, to sail into a school of 

 them in a tideway, and letting the sheet go, allow the boat to 

 drift while you fish over the sides at half depth. If the boat 

 drifts faster than the school, she is put about and the fish 

 found again. 



The flesh of the Weakfish is not held in much esteem wheri 

 other fish are to be had, and soon spoils after being taken, 

 though it is rich and gelatinous if it is eaten soon. They are 

 generally fried or broiled. 



* I have had occasion to mention this bait frequently in my remarks on 

 angling for different kinds of fish, and would here say that it is not gene- 

 rally appreciated. Most of our game fish are predatory in their habits, 

 and the first impulse is to seize the bait if it is attractive in its appearance : 

 they do not vrait to taste it, as some persons suppose. 



