THE BLACK -FISH. 
183 
The rod proper for taking black-fish, should be similar to 
that described for trolling, say about twelve feet long, and 
quite stiff; the line stout, and of strong flax or hemp; and 
although not absolutely necessary for black-fish alone, should 
be attached to a good running reel ; by this arrangement, the 
sportsman will be prepared, which is often the case, to meet 
a drum or large basse, which are sometimes found on the same 
grounds. The hook in use for black-fish, varies in size, with 
many anglers, some preferring quite a small size for 
taking the largest size fish, say about No. 10 ; and others, 
longing from No. 3 to No. 5, the most proper sizes for 
general fishing. These hooks, it will be noticed, by 
referring to plate 2. of hooks, are made of much stronger 
wire, and are known amongst anglers and dealers in tackle, 
as the black-fish hook. The hook should be attached to a 
strong piece of flax line about ten to fifteen inches in length ; 
and if you angle with two hooks, they should be from four to 
six inches apart; your sinker should vary according to the 
tide, and be fixed above your hooks about twelve or 
fifteen inches. Some anglers prefer twisted gut lengths * 
to their hooks instead of flax; but as the tautog lies chiefly 
on rocky ground and on sharp stony bottoms, and are not 
very shy, it is hardly necessary to run the risk of losing gut 
tackle when plain line will answer. 
The black fish being a bottom fish altogether, doe9 not 
admit of such variety of modes of capture as others of the 
briny element. The most common mode of taking him is 
* Others uso short lengths of gimp. An old and experienced angler, 
who is very fond of taking the tautog, says that to fish pleasantly and 
with expedition, ho always attaches his Imoks to twisted snells com- 
posed of threo strands of strong gut. In this manner he avoids the delay 
and perplexity occasioned by the frequent cntungling of the ordinary 
flax line snells, and can tako more fish thun by any other mothod 
