ALSO known as Horse-Mackerel and Green-fish. Their arrival in numbers off the shores of Long Island was first remarked in 1817. Before that time they were rarities. The present distribution extends from Massachusetts to Florida and into more southerly countries. Immense schools move off the shores of Long Island and New Jersey from June to September. Usual weight from two to six pounds; some of twenty and twenty-five pounds are taken. Their visits are somewhat erratic and their numbers greatly varying. When freshly drawn and promptly served for the table few fish are as highly flavored ; but if laid by several hours their quality is greatly impaired.

In the wide ocean, near shore, schools of these fish may be seen preying on Weak-fish, King-fish, and Menhaden. Blue-fish are voracious and far from shy. They are mostly taken from boats with squids of burnished tin, bone, pearl, or cedar. Sometimes red flannel is used. Off the New Jersey shores amateur fishermen throw long lines from shore, far away into deep water, and draw in their squids rapidly, hit or miss, along the sandy bed of the ocean. From boat haul in briskly, with an even, steady pull.

Tackle: bamboo or ash rod of from eight to ten feet; line of braided cotton, from seventy-five to two hundred feet; attach eight-inch snell of piano-wire ; hook, sizes 6/0 to 10/0. Bait with flesh, or any small live fish.