FISHES OP THE EAST ATLANTIC COAST. 87 



is just as sernceable. The leader is cast out about forty feet, and 

 while the bait is kept about three feet below the surface is rapidly 

 reeled in. The snapper makes a dash, and is caught and reeled in as 

 fast as possible. 



The snapper very frequently escapes by his quick movements, often 

 jumping the hook. Although a small fish, rarely exceeding a pound, 

 he resists stoutly and comes toward the boat with a sort of flurrj' and 

 splash very exhilarating to the fisherman. I have alway taken them 

 most successfully on bright, clear days, and only on the last two 

 hours of the flood tide. It is a strange fact that under the operculum 

 of almost every snajji^er is found a fish louse, generally haK an inch 

 long; I have uaver seen them m any other fish save the small striped 

 bass. Besides being so gamy and exciting a fish to catch, the snap- 

 ping mackerel is very palatable. 



