S6 



FISHES OF THE EAST ATLANTIC COAST. 



for being a catchable inhabitant of New York water and all the way- 

 northward, that he is. Few New York angler's know that within 

 thirty minutes ride from their offices they can have delightful sport 

 lobster fishing. But from Port Morris all along the beautiful shores 

 of Long Island Sound, in the quiet little coves and bays that indent 

 its either shore, lobstcrE cc^n be caught in season by the following 

 method: 



You first want a sound, trustworthy skiff, next two anchors, one 

 for the bow and one for the stern. The most important thing is 

 the lobster net. This should be made of stout linen cord; the ring 

 of quarter inch wrought iron six feet in circumference. This ring wUl 

 cost, if you go to some friendly blacksmith, about twenty five cents ; 

 to this ring the cord should be netted until the net is two and one 

 half feet deep. These nets are very expensive if bought in a tackle 

 store, but the fisherman if he takes real pleasure in his art will net 

 his own lobster net ; it will cost him then about a dollar and a half. 

 The next thing is the bait. This consists of two salted menhaden 

 ■(another exemplification of the manifold uses of that fish) which you 

 ■can buy of some fisherman on shore, either for love, or, that failing, 

 for five cents apiece. Tie across the net a string diameter; tie to 

 this central string the two mossbunkers ; now put about ten 

 pounds of stone in the bottom of the net; this don't weigh much 

 when in the water, and is necessary to take the net down. Now 

 Lave about one hundred and fifty feet of light strong rope ; fix this 

 to the net in the same manner in which the small boy ties his kite 

 • tringtothe "belly-band" of the kite. Go out where you see lob- 

 ster pot floats (be careful to keep out of range of the professional 

 lobster fisherman who owns them), at the first of the flood or at 

 the last two hours of high tide, let down your net in ninety or a 

 hundred feet of water, and while you wait to haul up the net, cut 

 half a dozen little wooden pegs, about an inch long, and put them 

 in a convenient place. 



After the lapse of ten or fifteen minutes haul up the net ; if it has 

 a lobster in it it will be a heavy job, and if it has not it will also 

 be a heavy job. Suppose you have one; bringing the net over the 

 boat take the bottom of the net and turn lobster and all out on the 



