CHAPTER XV. 



The Southern Weakfish. 



S4.lt Water Trout — Spotted Sea Trout — Cynoscion caroUnen- 

 sis (Gill). — This species is allied to the weakfish or squeteague of 

 the western coast, but it is a handsomer and better fish. Color, sil- 

 very sides, darker above, with rows of black spots above the lateral 

 line. Belly silvery. Head small, mouth large and well supplied 

 with sharp teeth ; in form and color much resemblng the lake trout 

 of northern New York, but wanting of course the adipose fin. Pre- 

 dacious in habits, takes a mullet bait eagerly, fights hard on the 

 hook, and gives good sport with rod and reel, though I think it is 

 less enduring than the red bass. 



This fish does not well bear keeping, but eaten fresh from the 

 water is aweet and well flavored. It is largest and most abundant 

 in summer and fall, when it may be heard on a still night snapping 

 along the shore in pursuit of small fish. I have taken them weigh- 

 ing from two pounds to six, at Halifax Inlet in winter. Very large 

 specimens are taken in Mosquito Lagoon, south of New Smyrna, 

 weighing, as I am told, as much as twenty pounds. It takes a bait 

 on the bottom, at mid-water or on the surface, and I have killed 

 them in fresh water while trolling for black bass, in Spruce Creek, 

 a tributary of the Hdlifax. They were of small size, about two 

 pounds, and were taken with a spoon, and I believe they would take 

 a fly in swift water. This species spawns in J uly and August, in 

 the bays and inlets ; is not as abundant as the red bass. The same 

 tackle may be used for this fish as for the red bass. The common 



