THE WEAK-FISH. 
173 
company the basso in salt water, they generally swim deeper, 
more in the eddies, and farther off from the shore. The 
experienced angler will often after angling for basse without 
success, change his ground, drop his bait a little deeper in 
the water, and return satisfied with his quota of weak-fish, if 
not his expected sport in basse. 
Although they are not as active when hooked, and do not 
compare as a game fish with the basse, the same description 
of tackle is requisite ; and the angler who occasionally lays 
off with a slack line, has to suffer some from the larger and 
more nimble rock, who will often be off with hooks, line, 
float and sinker, without particular notice. 
Some of those who make the squcteague a favorite object 
of their pursuit, prefer a light, round, bent hook called the 
Aberdeen, and others a light Kirby size No. 1, which they 
think increases their chance of success. A large hook, say 
No. 1, or even No. 0, on the whole, should be used, although 
the Limerick * is a good and sure hook. The Kirby, baited 
with a good sized shrimp, will be found for this weak 
mouthed auiinal a more sufficient guaranty for the faithful 
landing of any sizo that swims. 
A friend who pursues this sport during the season, with 
much success, says — “ I once saw one taken by a friend of 
mine, that weighed eight pounds and a half, which is the 
largest I ever saw.” You frequently take from 10 to 40 
pounds of this fish in a day, when they are in abundance. 
The afternoon tides are idways the best, about two hours 
beforo sundown, and as long after that as they keep from 
croaking, when you had better leave off, as you will take no 
more of them. * 
* Some profer tho Limerick, slightly curbed, both for rock Olid equo- 
toaguo. 
