THE SQUETEAGUES. 135 
Waquoit, Mass., August 9, 1875, the only instance of such a capture in 
the course of many years’ careful exploration of that region. Young fish, 
four inches long, are common in Southern New Jersey in August. The 
growth of the species is quite rapid, the weight of four pounds apparently 
being attained in about three years. The largest I remember to have 
seen weighed about ten pounds, though this is not an unusual size. 
The Squeteague, as well as the bluefish, varies in size with the locality. 
While on the coast of New Jersey they do not average much over one 
pound, they are stated to occasionally attain the weight of from six to ten 
pounds, and have even been known to weigh thirty. 
The Squeteague in the South is a resident fish, although said by Hol- 
brook to be most abundant and largest in the autumnal months, when, in 
his opinion, theycome from the north. It is not satisfactorily ascertained, 
however, whether these fish, leaving the northern coast during winter 
time, migrate southward or more towards the warm waters of the Gulf 
Stream. They return to the coast of the Middle or Northern States 
early in the spring, the first being taken in May, and are most abundant 
from June to September. 
Although its flesh is soft, it is delicately flavored, and is one of the 
favorite food-fishes of the South Atlantic and Gulf States, its chief rivals 
being the pompano, the whiting, the sheepshead and the red snapper. 
In the North the Squeteague is in moderate demand, particularly at the 
close of the shad season. 
Among anglers, according to the late Genio C. Scott, this fish is con- 
sidered as second in interest among those of the coasts and estuaries. In 
the opinion of this eminent authority, the striped bass holds the highest 
rank. 
Prof. Baird has written: ‘‘ The sport of catching the Squeteague is 
very great, and is highly enjoyed by many fishermen, on account of the 
great number that can be taken in a very short time. They swim near 
the surface and require a line but little leaded. They take almost any kind 
of bait, especially clams, soft crabs or pieces of fish. They take the hook 
with a snap, rarely condescending to nibble, and constant vigilance is neces- 
sary, as well as extreme care in hauling them out of the water, on account' 
of the extreme tenderness of the mouth. During the flood tide they keep 
in the channel-ways of the bays, and at the ebb they generally settle in 
some deep hole, where they remain until the flood entices them out again. 
