Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-12

and equally surprising. The fish discovers
his mistake about as soon as he fastens his
teeth on the bait. While you haul in on the
line, he makes frantic efforts TO free his
mouth from the hook. No bulldog ever
shook his head more persistenrly tran a
healthy bluefish when struggling for liberty
The sharp teeth tear at the chain as he
darts to right and left, now clear above the
water. then at the bottom, all the while
holding back as IL a hundredweight of iron
was within his sparkling sides. You recall
the time when you tried to lead frisky calf
about the farm, and 1t flashes across your
rather confused mind that the fish is bigger
than the calf. Keep on hauling, and after
what has seemed a very long time, the
risky fish is pulled into the boat. You sit
down and rest, and not till then DO you
notice that a red streak has appeared on
the second joint Of the foref1nger of the
right hand. After a few minutes the finger
becomes SO painful that you rather enjoy
the sting. considering all the while that a
pIuensh was the cause OF ii. A man will
put up with good deal of inconvenience IL
ne secures what he is after, especially in
the fishing business.
Other Varieties to he Had.
Bluefish can be caught in almost any of
the tide rips between Gay Head and the
Island of Muskegat. which lies just off
the eastern extremity of the Vineyard
Good fishing may also be had from the
shore, especially in localities where inland
ponds empty into the sound, through creeks
These ponds are known as herring ponds
because fish of that species go into them
through the creeks to deposit spawn. Blue
hsh are fond of young herring, and lie in
wait at the mouth of the creeks for their
prey. The ''heave and haul style of fish
Ing Is generally practiced i'm such localities
small gull is one of the deadliest enemies
the bluehsh has. The birds never attack
the bluefish. but keep in company with the
schools as they move about. The gull seeks
the fragments of bait left by the fish, as
they cut a swath in the small fry. destroy
ing vastly more animal life than they eat
The presence of this species of gull, as IL
circles above the surface of the water
uttering piercing cry, and now diving
then soaring, is sign for the fisherman
that their quest is at hand, and by follow
Ing with boat the fight of the birds II
Is a simple matter to locate the fish Bot
tom fishing in Vineyard Sound is excelled
nowhere along the coast in the variety and
quality of the fish to be taken. 1t is a
simple matter for a person to row his boat
rifle shot distant from the steamboat
landing to the grounds. An inexperienced
boatman should learn the ranges that serve
to mark the rocky bottom, where the fnny
fellows live. plentiful supply OF clans, a
line 100 feet long, fitted with two hooks,
and q lead sinker of a pound weight are
necessary to establish connection with the
fish.
A knife with which to open the clans and
cut them into bait pieces will complete the
outht. Soup, blackbass, choxsies, Founders
and other food fish can always be caught
here. 1t Is best to drift with the tide If one
happens to start out while the water is
running swiftly. In taking advantage of
the current there is no difficulty in reach
ing or tending bottom with the sinker
Tor the boat and line drift with about equal
velocity. II the boat should be anchored
In a tideway the heavy sinker would tail
away and remain a few feet below the
surface Many local fishermen advocate
nsnihg at the slack water, or, in other
words. before the new tide makes When
this style Of fishing is done, about two
hours sport may be had, but the tide soon
gets under way. and bottom cannot be
reached Some OF the market fishermen use
hne soft copper wire instead of a line
and. with heavy sinker, manage TO do
pretty good work. The wire offers small
resistance to the swiftly running water
put IL Is bulky and in the way when hastily
pulled into the boat
Smooth Water Fishing.
In drifting. leave the wharf on a half
tide. running east and the current will
carry the boat over the grounds TO a point
considerably beyond Cape Pogue The
west tide will serve TO float the craft as far
as Tarpaulin Cove. and by waiting for the
next east tide the fisherman can drift up
to the wharf again, having fished all day
without rowing or sailing. This style of
fishing is practicable during smooth wealth
er. When there is much of a sea on il is
tlresome work. Some Of the very best fish
Ing grounds in the sound are very near
Vineyard Haven, which is at the head of
the magnificent harbor. between East and
West Chops. Squash Meadow shoal is a
little more toward the east but the black
can buoy on its western extremity is easily
reached. The black spar buoy of Fast
Chop is another favorite spot, while across
the channel is the ground most freuuented
by the poatmen from Vineyard Haven
None OF these places are far from shore,
and the most timid fisherman need NOT faar
being caught out"