300 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



THE SEA-BASS AND THE BLACKFISH. 



These are taken mostly with the hand-line, and are only 

 sought for by the angler when fish of gamer qualities are not 

 to be found. The Sea-Bass and Blackfish are both plucky 

 fish. They are good in the pan, being firm of flesh. A rod 

 with a stiff tip is required ; they are angled for without a 

 float. A sinker or dipsy suitable to the force of the current 

 is required ; the hooks, No. 1 or Kirby, made of stout wire ; 

 clams, either soft or hard shell, are used for bait. 



THE MULLET. 



De Kay mentions four species of Mullets : the Striped, the 

 "White, the Spotted, and the Bock Mullet. The Striped 

 Mullet found in Lake Ponchartrain is the only species I have 

 ever taken with hook and line. It is a shapely fish, elong- 

 ated, with the line of the belly more curved than the back. 

 Bluish on the back, silvery sides, with rows of dusky spots 

 extending from the opercles to the tail. It has two dorsal 

 fins, the first with four weak spines. It is found only in salt 

 or brackish water. The fresh-water fish known as the 

 Barred Mullet, which never takes a bait, is a species of the 

 Sucker family. 



In the Gulf of Mexico and contiguous waters, Mullets swim 

 in large schools, and are generally taken with a cast-net. 

 Sometimes they appear near the surface of the water, when 

 they will frequently jump at a white rag or cotton wrapped 



