MITCHILL ON THE PISHES OP NEW-YORK. 401 



The common bait for black-fish is the soft clam or pisser, (mya.) 

 The soldier crab or fiddler, (ocypoda,) will frequently tempt him 

 when he refuses to taste the other. And he snaps very readily at 

 the large finny worm of the salt-water beaches, (nereis,) when used 

 on a hook for him. 



Some persons, who live contiguous to the shores where are situated 

 the rocks frequented by tautog, invite the fish there by baiting. By 

 this is meant, the throwing overboard broken clams or crabs to induce 

 the black-fish to renew their visits; and fine sport is procured. 



Rocky shores and bottoms are the haunts of black-fish. Long expe- 

 rience is required to find all these places of resort. Nice observations 

 on the land-marks in different directions are requisite to enable a fishing 

 party to anchor on the proper spot. When, for example, a certain rock 

 and tree range one way, with a barn window appearing over a headland 

 the other way, the boat lying at the point where two such lines inter- 

 sect each other, is exactly over some famous rendezvous. To ensure 

 success on such an expedition, it is proper to have a pilot along, well 

 versed in all the local and minute knowledge. According to the num- 

 ber and distance of the rocks and reefs visited will be the time con- 

 sumed, from the duration of a few hours to a long summer's day. An 

 opinion prevails, that black-fish can hear very well ; and, for fear of 

 scaring them away, the greatest stillness is observed. He is a strong 

 fish, and pulls well for one of his weight and size. 



At some places black-fish bite best upon the flood. In others they 

 are voracious during the ebb. Thunder accompanying a shower, is an 

 indication that no more of them can be caught. The appearance of a 

 porpus infallibly puts an end to the sport. Curious stories are told of 

 fish in the wells and prisons, floating in their native element, having been 

 found dead after sharp and repeated flashes of lightning. Dull 

 weather, with an easterly wind, is generally the omen of ill luck. 



53 



