The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-08-12
OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS.
Fish That Make Things Interesting t.
Fishermen When They Bite.

Fish That Make Things Interesting to
Fishermen When They Bite.
The fresh-water sportsmen hold salt
water fishing in high esteem, but their
ignorance misleads them. In every salt
water inlet of the Chesapeake bay there
is better fishing than there is in any Al
legheny or Adirondack streams; and
those whose purses will not admit the
expenses of a trip to the mountain
hemmed haunt of the trout and bass, can
easily prove the truth of this assertion in
the blue Chesapeake. There swim in no
waters on the globe a greater variety of
game fish. Sheepshead, rockfsh, drum,
perch, taylor, weakfsh, trout and mack
erel include the best varieties, while in
Outlines troublesome profusion swarm
the smaller fry-spot, crocus, pike, moo
casin, sunfsh, catfish and eels.
The king of our waters is undoubtedly
the rockfish, or striped bass. 1t is greatly
the superior of the salmon in beauty and
in gameness it stands it peer. Our
streams contain it in its most perfect
state. Symmetrical in form and beauti
full in shape, it is a sight to make any
lover of the ~divine sport" grow enthusi-
astic over its charms. 1t is voracious
feeder and quick as lightning in captur-
ing its prey. Take him as you may, his
first dash when hooked is tremendous
and he will make gallant fight for life
that will exhilarate the most hardened
sportsman.
The perch, while not usually regarded
as being very gamey, is yet a great favor
tie with anglers. 1t bites assuredly and
fast. 1t winters in the deep salt water
of the bays, and after the suns of spring
have warmed the water it issues forth on
its foraging expeditions, pushing up the
inlets into fresh and brackish water,
halting about rocky bottoms, old wreckGI
sunken bridge piers and water lily mar
gins. Off the Kent shore, at Bettertrn,
and in Chester river, is the best perch
fishing. Rare sport at the proper season
from July to September-can be had
ON these grounds, it being not unusual
for two or three half pound perch to be
caught on one line when a sufficient
number of hooks are used. Whether for
gameness or as table luxury the Sleeps
head is superb.
This fish comes from the south. 1t gen.
orally arrives in the vicinity of Chin
colleague about the 1st of May, but does
not reach our waters until midsummer.
An inexperienced fisherman will find the
sheepshead not easy of capture. After
it has found the bait, two or three pre-
hminary nib6les announce the fact, and
ten to one the nervous sportsman will
strike and lose it. But if he IS patient,
presently there will come a steady draw,
and then it is that the fisherman must
strike, and pull hard and fast, keeping
weather-eye open for the headers which
the sheepshead is sure to make. Very
heavy tackle is necessary for this fish, as
it is very strong and makes vicious re-
sistance.
Years ago diminishing was a great
sport among the fishermen of tidewater
Talbot and of other counties along the
bay, but this fish seems to have been
driven out of the middle and upper
Chesapeake, whether by the steamboats,
or by the oyster dredges it is difficult to
determine. In those days the signal that
drums were about usually caused ces-
sation of all other occupations and a
general rush was made to the drumming
grounds. An absence of several days
was made often, and the result would be
loads of fish. But that day is numbered
with the past, and the once familiar
%drdm note" Of this fish is heard no
more.
The fercest and greediest fish in our
waters is the taylor. It is predatory and
Icracious, and is terror to nearly every
lIind of smaller fish. 1t is one of our
most valuble varieties as a food fish,
rivaling the shad in exquisiteness of
favor. Some ally it with the bluefsh
species, but this IS denied by many. The
bay maekarel is a 1.-THE, brilliant fellow
when first taken from the water, and
has no equal as gridiron fish. 1t is
bashful bitter, but when it does finally
take hold it gives pull that sends the
blood surging through every vein of the
anglers body.-Baltimore American.