Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1902-07-10
JACKFISH OF THE SOUTH.
Denizens of the Small Streams
of That Section.

In general the fresh-water fish of
the south are not so game as those of
the north's colder waters, and they
are not nearly of so many varieties.
In sea fish the lower waters have all
the best of it, says the New York Sun.
The far south has one fish, however,
which is IN able fighter, requires good
angling, and is a glory to the table.
That is the jackfish.
1t is really a small pickerel, seldom
attaining a greater weight than three
pounds, with long, slender body and
several sets of handsome teeth. 1t is
shouted like the alligator gar and, like
that predictions ruffian, eats any live
swimmer it is big enough to whip.
1t is, because of its long nose and
light draught, death on minnows.
which find it hard to get close enough
to bank for safety. 1t also pokes it's
lethal head under stumps. and roots
for perch, and altogether manages to
have a fat time of it, getting more to
eat in proportion to it's size than any
other denizen of the waters.
1t is never found in the waters of
the ~lowlands, but prefers the creeks
and larger streams of the pine woods
hills. These streams are always swift,
cool and beautifully clear, and the
jackfsh is therefore clean and
healthy.
1t strikes readily at any lure which
Is good for bass, and fights much
harder, as well as being more difficult
to fasten because of the bony lining of
its mouth. 1t is a maxim with south
ern fishermen that the jack must be
got out of the water in the shortest
possible time, else it will get away, be-
ing peculiarly expert in getting the
hook out.
1t possesses great power, and I'M
less lifted from it's element by a rapid
tour de force will tear itself loose
from the barb. 1t is also a good hand
at diving straight for the bottom and
either rubbing the hook against sand
and pebbles or twisting the line about
I stump.
The jack is about the only one of the
southern game fishes which, when
tightly held and securely fastened,
will leave the water repeatedly in the
attempt to shake out the hook. This
sometimes happens with bass, but
very rarely, those fishes preferring
generally to fight it out beneath the
surface. The jack will throw its slen-
der body into the air and shake it's
long snout in desperate fashion, there
by adding much to the pleasure of the
angler.
1t inhabits almost incredibly small
streams-minute branches they are
called-which u from far up in the
hills. These are often not more than
a yard wide, sometimes less, and in
pursuit of minnows the jack will &C
up them until not more than four
inches OF water is between belly and
bottom. They have been taken in
branches so narrow that they had
barely room to turn around.
In fishing in such places it is neces-
sary. of course, that the angler
should be cautious. He must walk
with a foot of velvet, have a long rod
and approach the bank gently. He
must not upon any account be seen.
When the strike is made the hooS.
must be reefed in violently in order to
pierce the bony tissue; and to make
assurance doubly sure, the jack should
be snatched from the water. There
is not much chance for play in a rivu-
let a yard wide and a foot deep with
stones and MOSES in it.
Sometimes, however, in a pool of the
main creek, a pool which may be 30
yards across and 80 feet deep, rooted
ove with intermingling limbs Of
giant pines, with only CLEANS of sum
shine here and there upon it's surface,
a four-pound jack may be hooked
from a depth of ten feet, and then the
angler will have cause to thank the
maker of strong tackle. If the rod be
light or the silk under weight there
will be a smash, sure.