FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 37I 



of Mexico. It is perhaps most abundant in the North along the south shore of 

 New England and between Cape May and Montauk Point. It more especially affects 

 oyster beds and deposits of mussels upon which it feeds, and it is also to be found 

 about wrecks of old vessels on which barnacles and shells abound. It stays mostly 

 near the bottom and is quiet in its habits and little given to wandering." 



Although specimens of this fish are sometimes taken weighing twelve pounds or 

 more, the average captured are perhaps not over five or six pounds in weight, but a 

 fish even of this size is capable of giving one all he can attend to for a few minutes. 

 Being a deep and powerful fish, the resistance it can offer is proportionally great. 

 The fishing is done over a rocky bottom, and the bait used is mostly clams or crabs. 

 Shrimps are sometimes used with good success. As the lining of the mouth of the 

 sheepshead is tough and in large part covered by strong crushing teeth, a vigorous 

 pull on the line when a bite is felt is necessary to hook it properly, and a stout hook 

 and line are requisite to its capture. According to Prof. S. F. Clark, the spawning of 

 this fish is generally effected at the mouths of rivers and inlets, and " the eggs are 

 deposited in shallow water near the shore." 



Tl)e Tacitog-. 



A large and valuable food fish is the tautog. It reaches a weight of from ten to 

 fifteen pounds, although specimens of from three to four pounds are the average 

 size. It is a lover of rocky bottoms, obtaining its food, which consists of crabs and 

 shellfish, by searching among the weeds and crevices of the ledges and crushing 

 their hard covering with its strong teeth and powerful jaws. The fish varies a good 

 deal in its coloring, the younger specimens being frequently mottled light and dark 

 brown, while the older ones are more uniform in coloring, and are often dark brown 

 or blackish. The males are usually the darker. 



The range of the species is quite extensive, it being found along our Eastern 

 coast as far south as the Carolinas. It is only taken during the summer and autumn 

 months, and is thought to retire to deep water during cold weather. As this is a 

 large species and an excellent food fish, it is a favorite with the amateur fishermen 

 and may be taken with rod and reel. Where the rocks run out suddenly into deep 

 water the fisherman may stand and cast from the shore. When hooked a large tau- 

 tog is no mean antagonist. He will sometimes wedge himself among the rocks in 

 such a way that he cannot be induced to come out and the fisherman must await 

 his pleasure. Then with a rush he will leave his retreat and run out most of one's 

 line before he can be turned. 



