330 Book of the Biace; Bass. 



usually long series of east winds, or easterly gales, the 

 tides are much affected thereby, and rise much higher, and 

 spread over more extensive surfaces. The fish, as a matter 

 of course, take advantage of this state of affairs, and ex- 

 tend their range in quest of food, being rewarded by great 

 quantities of Crustacea, moUusks, etc., which before were 

 inaccessible on account of the shallow water. At such 

 times, the fish are not found on their usual feeding grounds 

 in the tideways, and hence has arisen the erroneous idea 

 that they do not feed during an east wind. 



Many bait-fishers have an abiding faith in the signs of 

 the Zodiac in influencing the biting of fish ; believing that 

 when the " sign " is in the feet (Pisces), and also just be- 

 fore and after, encroaching on the domains of the legs 

 (Aquarius), and head (Aries), that fish feed better than at 

 other timeSi They, of course, always remember the suc- 

 cessful occasions at these periods, but soon forget, or im- 

 agine some satisfactory reason for, the failures; and thus 

 their superstitious belief seldom weakens. 



The moon, likewise, is supposed by many to influence 

 the feeding of fish. In Florida, the opinion is very preva- 

 lent among hunters and fishermen, that deer, fish, and 

 other animals feed principally when the moon is above the 

 horizon, night or day, particularly at moon-rise, moon- 

 south, and moon-set. This belief also obtains in other 

 sections of our country, and the adherents to the theory 

 are, withal, so consistent, that their faith can not be shaken 

 by repeated failures, and they seldom hunt or fish except 

 when the " moon is right." 



While I am not a believer in the theory of the moon's 

 influence over terrestrial objects, I am not prepared to say 

 that there is nothing whatever in the moon affecting the 

 feeding of fish; for while fish certainly feed mostly at 



