26 



PISHES or THE EAST ATLANTIC COAST. 



sinker, is a rule of great consideration in salt water angling. A 

 light swivel sinker is used, and a leader, upon which two hooks of 

 large bend are fastened. An excellent hook is 4-0, best hollow 

 point Limerick. The best bait is the shedder crab, and among other 

 baits hard clam, shrimp or a piece of menhaden or other light col- 

 ored fish. 



If you are fishing for the smaller weakfish make a cast and !hen 

 allow the sinker to remain off the bottom three or four feet. If in 

 the tide-way and for larger game, it is well to use a float which will 

 hold the baits some five feet below the surface. 



The weakfish bites fiercely and makes a brave fight, and his favor- 

 ite tactics are to run with the line faster than it is reeled off, to 

 overrun it, as the angler terms it, and so shake out the hooks. This 

 operation is made easier by the fact that the jaws of the weakfish 

 are parchment-like and in them the hook makes a large rent, being 

 stayed only by the stiff rim of the mouth. In weakfishing, then, be 

 ■sure to keep the line taut. 



