298 
BULLETIN OF THE BUEEAU OF FISHEKIES 
seines were operated in Chesapeake Bay, all located between Ocean View and Lynnhaven Inlet, 
Va. A set seine is similar to a haul seine, being more heavily leaded, however, and more closely 
corked. With one end lying on the beach, it is set out from the shore in nearly a perpendicular 
line, and at the outer end a 300-pound anchor is fastened. Between this anchor and the shore a 
number of 40-pound anchors are attached to the lead line, for the purpose of holding the seine 
in place. When the tide changes, these small anchors must be adjusted to avoid entanglement 
with the seine. Several fishermen remain in the immediate locality, while the net is set, and adjust 
anchors and otherwise observe the gear. The net is hauled ashore at slack, low tide, once in 24 
hours. This is done by attaching a line to the outer end of the seine, and it is hauled to shore by 
making a semicircular sweep. A power winch, operated by a gasoline engine, is employed for this 
purpose. After the outer end has reached the shore, the procedure is similar to haul seining (des- 
cribed under Leiostomus xanthurus). The set seine is usually about 1,500 to 1,800 feet long, 14 to 
25 feet deep, and of 1 y% to 1J^ inch bar mesh. A crew of 12 to 15 men is necessary to operate the 
net successfully. The fish do not gill themselves in the set seine but have a peculiar habit of lying 
close against the seine, near the lead line, and in this position they remain dormant for hours 
during the cool fall weather. 
The relative efficiency of the set seine and the haul seine for catching this squeteague is illus- 
trated by the following records, made from a series of hauls of both kinds of seines made near Ocean 
View, Va. These data are based upon the catches made by two haul seines and one set seine 
and represent the total of all the hauls observed. The catch taken with the set seine from Septem- 
ber 26 to October 27, 1922, in a total of 15 hauls, consisted of 11,216 fish; average number of fish 
per haul, 747; average weight per fish, 2% pounds; weight of largest fish, 73^ pounds. The catch 
taken with two haul seines from September 23 to October 27, 1922, in a total of 33 hauls, consisted of 
749 fish; average number of fish per haul, 23; average weight per fish, 1J^ pounds; weight of largest 
fish, 6 pounds. 
The first seine catches are made in the lower part of the bay about September 15, and con- 
tinue until cold weather arrives. The spotted squeteague apparently leave the bay in the fall 
for a more southern habitat, and it is during this outward migration that they are intercepted by 
the fishermen’s nets. This squeteague, like C. regalis, is rare in the bay north of Annapolis, and the 
fishing season is shorter in the upper stretches of the bay than near the entrance. 
The spotted squeteague is always in demand in the fish markets, where it brings a good price at 
all seasons. During 1921 and 1922 the retail prices usually ranged between 25 and 30 cents per 
pound. In the fall it is shipped to Baltimore, Washington, New York, and other markets. Its 
fine appearance, firm flesh, and good flavor place this fish in high esteem. 
Many names have been given to this species. In the Chesapeake region only a few are in 
common use, “speckles,” “speckled trout,” “Simon trout,” and “salmon trout” being used inter- 
changeably. 
The largest fish observed by us weighed 16 pounds. It was taken in a pound net at Ocean 
View during the early part of April, 1922. This fish was said by dealers to be one of the largest 
ever caught in the bay, and in fact, it probably represents the maximum size attained by the species. 
Fish weighing 8 to 12 pounds are not uncommon in the spring, but during the fall individuals weighing 
over 8 pounds are rare. 
3,K> 
