132 Fisuing uv AmertcAN WATERS. 
tant to have a small but ponderous bait attached to a fifty- 
yard line of the smallest size for trolling. The jaw of the 
Spanish mackerel is tender, therefore he plays more gin- 
gerly, and does not resist so hard in landing as does the 
bluefish ; but he should be handled carefully, and prevent- 
ed from taking slack line, as he unhooks easily. 
My opinion is that this fish will yet be taken in great num- 
bers with rod and reel. As they annually become more nu- 
merous, they come farther into the estuaries and back-sets 
from the bays along the coast, and after they get a taste of 
shedder and soft-shell crab, with smelt in abundance, and a 
modicum of spearing and shrimp, they will soon make them- 
selves more familiar, and accept the dainties offered on the 
angler’s hook; and when once fairly converted, he will afford 
the angler better sport than the salmon or the striped bass. 
SECTION ELEVENTH. 
THE BONETTA, OR BONITO. 
The bonetta is the beautiful and swift fish after which one 
of our war vessels of the Revolution was named. The Span- 
ish name is donito. I prefer the other name because of its 
associations. This fish is found in great numbers about the 
West India Islands, where it preys on the flying-fish. His 
first arrival along our beaches and in our bays was about 
eight years ago, and his shoals have increased remarkably 
fast ever since his advent. As a table luxury it ranks with 
epicures below the striped bass and bluefish, but because of 
its comparative rarity it commands a price rather above 
Tue Boxerra, or Bonito.— Thynnus pelamys.—Cuvier, 
