Jaws dialog question...

Well in that case it looks like Mr. Cod is the most-likely suspect.
Thanks for all the good info Pepperoni.
-Kent


"Pepperoni" wrote in message
...
Tomcod are like prawns--- as likely to be in fresh water as salt.
brackish
mixed waters. I presume it was chosen because of its small size, rarely
over a foot long.... similar to a large bluegill in size. Not a great
tackle-buster, at any rate.

I live on the Great Lakes. Most of our best sport fish are now adapted
from
salt water varieties, but never see the sea. Chinooks, atlantics, cohos,
several types of striper/wiper/white bass hybrids.

Pepperoni

"K" wrote in message
link.net...
Well this is interesting. Pepperoni, your suggestion of "tommy cod"
seems
very good because if one does some searches, that's the only variation
of
names that actually produces references to a fish by that name, like in
that
site you mentioned. I've found several other sites today that refer to
both
"tomcods" and "tommy cods". But Ahab, you make a good point, too.
While
we don't really know if the "pond" Quint is referring to is a typical
fresh-water pond or the salt water "pond" (which they had in Amity), it
seems more likely that he might be referring to a fresh-water pond
simply
because bluegills are fresh-water fish and Quint named both fish in the
same
sentence. That's another reason I thought that "tommy cats" was what
he
was saying. I assumed that was some type of catfish and that would all
make
sense. Except of course for the fact that "tommy cat" just doesn't seem
to
be a name of any fish at all and doesn't show up on any web sites that
I've
found.



wrote in message
...
On Sun, 8 Aug 2004 18:07:05 -0400, "Pepperoni"
wrote:

....Maybe "tommycod" (Tomcod)
9-12 inches long (may be 15)

The frame of reference would lead one to think he was speaking of
fresh water fish.


http://octopus.gma.org/fogm/Microgadus_tomcod.htm

"K" wrote in message
hlink.net...
I figured a fishing group was the best place to ask this one...
In the movie Jaws, Robert Shaw playing the part of Quint delivers
one
of
his
memorable speeches in the town hall meeting. It goes: "Y'all
know
me.
Know how I earn a livin'. I'll catch this bird for ya, but it
ain't
gonna
be easy... Bad fish. It's not like goin' down to the pond chasin'
bluegills or something.
Anyone know what that something is? It seems people have
different
interpretations of what he said, including "tommycats", tommycots",
and
"tommycocks". I've done searches on all three but so far haven't
come
up
with anything relating to fish. Anyone know what fish he was
referring
to?
To me it kind of sounds like "tommycats", but it's kind of hard to
tell
because in the movie he was sticking a potato chip or something in
his
mouth
just as he said it.
Thanks for any ideas.
-Kent

Well in that case it looks like Mr. Cod is the most-likely suspect.
Thanks for all the good info Pepperoni.
-Kent


"Pepperoni" wrote in message
...
Tomcod are like prawns--- as likely to be in fresh water as salt.
brackish
mixed waters. I presume it was chosen because of its small size, rarely
over a foot long.... similar to a large bluegill in size. Not a great
tackle-buster, at any rate.

I live on the Great Lakes. Most of our best sport fish are now adapted
from
salt water varieties, but never see the sea. Chinooks, atlantics, cohos,
several types of striper/wiper/white bass hybrids.

Pepperoni

"K" wrote in message
link.net...
Well this is interesting. Pepperoni, your suggestion of "tommy cod"
seems
very good because if one does some searches, that's the only variation
of
names that actually produces references to a fish by that name, like in
that
site you mentioned. I've found several other sites today that refer to
both
"tomcods" and "tommy cods". But Ahab, you make a good point, too.
While
we don't really know if the "pond" Quint is referring to is a typical
fresh-water pond or the salt water "pond" (which they had in Amity), it
seems more likely that he might be referring to a fresh-water pond
simply
because bluegills are fresh-water fish and Quint named both fish in the
same
sentence. That's another reason I thought that "tommy cats" was what
he
was saying. I assumed that was some type of catfish and that would all
make
sense. Except of course for the fact that "tommy cat" just doesn't seem
to
be a name of any fish at all and doesn't show up on any web sites that
I've
found.



wrote in message
...
On Sun, 8 Aug 2004 18:07:05 -0400, "Pepperoni"
wrote:

....Maybe "tommycod" (Tomcod)
9-12 inches long (may be 15)

The frame of reference would lead one to think he was speaking of
fresh water fish.


http://octopus.gma.org/fogm/Microgadus_tomcod.htm

"K" wrote in message
hlink.net...
I figured a fishing group was the best place to ask this one...
In the movie Jaws, Robert Shaw playing the part of Quint delivers
one
of
his
memorable speeches in the town hall meeting. It goes: "Y'all
know
me.
Know how I earn a livin'. I'll catch this bird for ya, but it
ain't
gonna
be easy... Bad fish. It's not like goin' down to the pond chasin'
bluegills or something.
Anyone know what that something is? It seems people have
different
interpretations of what he said, including "tommycats", tommycots",
and
"tommycocks". I've done searches on all three but so far haven't
come
up
with anything relating to fish. Anyone know what fish he was
referring
to?
To me it kind of sounds like "tommycats", but it's kind of hard to
tell
because in the movie he was sticking a potato chip or something in
his
mouth
just as he said it.
Thanks for any ideas.
-Kent

Pepperoni wrote:
wrote in message
...

I suggest that a "foot long bluegill" is going to "bust" your tackle
unless you hook him on bass fishing gear -- even then he'll let you
know he was there ;-)

Cheers



I fish 'em on 4# test. They run more like 11 1/4 inches. Not a big problem
on open water, if you don't mind the boat spinning around the anchor rope a
few times. Once a bluegill gets that big, he's too big for most of the pike
to handle. They hunt in packs and fear nothing. I've seen them hunting in
a line at dawn, with their backs out of the water---- looks like a snake or
something moving on the surface. They are swimming with their eyes just
below the surface, hunting bugs, I presume.

People think of bluegills as 4-5 inches and kid stuff, but a limit stringer
of 25 big gills weighs about 50 pounds and is a real "event" on the boat
ramp. People seing a full string for the first time, just can't believe it.

You're right and people would be within their right not to believe it.
The World record Bluegill was a little over 4 pounds and just a tad over
14 inches in length. IIRC the Florida state record is less than 3
pounds and they grow big down there in that kind of climate. Anywhere a
Pike will live is not the ideal climate for Bluegill so you would have
to excuse me if I suspect I'm hearing a fish story. Sure you are not
confusing Bluegill with Yellow Perch or something? Hunting in packs, in
a line, with their backs out of the water and eyes just below the
surface ................. sorry, a Bluegills natural shape which is like
a dinner plate doesn't allow this to happen. Not calling you a liar
mind you, only just as I said I suspect a fish story being spun here.
BTW, a 11.25 inch Bluegill would bust 4# test line in a heart beat.
Pound for pound they will out fight a large mouth bass any day.

Jerry

Pepperoni wrote:
wrote in message
...

I suggest that a "foot long bluegill" is going to "bust" your tackle
unless you hook him on bass fishing gear -- even then he'll let you
know he was there ;-)

Cheers



I fish 'em on 4# test. They run more like 11 1/4 inches. Not a big problem
on open water, if you don't mind the boat spinning around the anchor rope a
few times. Once a bluegill gets that big, he's too big for most of the pike
to handle. They hunt in packs and fear nothing. I've seen them hunting in
a line at dawn, with their backs out of the water---- looks like a snake or
something moving on the surface. They are swimming with their eyes just
below the surface, hunting bugs, I presume.

People think of bluegills as 4-5 inches and kid stuff, but a limit stringer
of 25 big gills weighs about 50 pounds and is a real "event" on the boat
ramp. People seing a full string for the first time, just can't believe it.

You're right and people would be within their right not to believe it.
The World record Bluegill was a little over 4 pounds and just a tad over
14 inches in length. IIRC the Florida state record is less than 3
pounds and they grow big down there in that kind of climate. Anywhere a
Pike will live is not the ideal climate for Bluegill so you would have
to excuse me if I suspect I'm hearing a fish story. Sure you are not
confusing Bluegill with Yellow Perch or something? Hunting in packs, in
a line, with their backs out of the water and eyes just below the
surface ................. sorry, a Bluegills natural shape which is like
a dinner plate doesn't allow this to happen. Not calling you a liar
mind you, only just as I said I suspect a fish story being spun here.
BTW, a 11.25 inch Bluegill would bust 4# test line in a heart beat.
Pound for pound they will out fight a large mouth bass any day.

Jerry

Jerry wrote:

Not calling you a liar
mind you, only just as I said I suspect a fish story being spun here.
BTW, a 11.25 inch Bluegill would bust 4# test line in a heart beat.
Pound for pound they will out fight a large mouth bass any day.

Jerry

True they are fighters

False they will bust 4# line in a heart beat

That is if you have your drag set right, and they don't snag you up

My personal 4 lb test record fish is a 22 lb flat head catfish, it did
take a very long time to get a net on it,, but we did it (I had help
netting it)

I was blue gill fishing and the flat head hit a single cricket on an
number 8 long shank hook, I had a 12 foot fly weight crappie rod , and a
reel with 200 yds of 4 # test on it, I really doubt if I could have
landed it with a different rod, that limber rod took a lot of shock out
of the line

Now a real fighter is the hybrid stripe, it puts the L.M. to shame, this
spring I landed nearly a 12 lber on 6 lb test line, I was not fishing
for hybrids when this fish hit, If I had known there were any there, I
would have reached over in the truck and pulled out a much heaver rig
with 17 Lb test on it. I was fishing for little two lb spotted bass,
they are a blast on that ultra light rig, I got the shock of my life
when that striper, nearly spooled me before it ever turned

I have photo's of the fish and the little rig I caught him on




--
Rodney Long,
Inventor of the Long Shot "WIGGLE" rig, SpecTastic Thread
Boomerang Fishing Pro. ,Stand Out Hooks ,Stand Out Lures,
Mojo's Rock Hopper & Rig Saver weights, Decoy Activator
and the EZKnot http://www.ezknot.com

Jerry wrote:

Not calling you a liar
mind you, only just as I said I suspect a fish story being spun here.
BTW, a 11.25 inch Bluegill would bust 4# test line in a heart beat.
Pound for pound they will out fight a large mouth bass any day.

Jerry

True they are fighters

False they will bust 4# line in a heart beat

That is if you have your drag set right, and they don't snag you up

My personal 4 lb test record fish is a 22 lb flat head catfish, it did
take a very long time to get a net on it,, but we did it (I had help
netting it)

I was blue gill fishing and the flat head hit a single cricket on an
number 8 long shank hook, I had a 12 foot fly weight crappie rod , and a
reel with 200 yds of 4 # test on it, I really doubt if I could have
landed it with a different rod, that limber rod took a lot of shock out
of the line

Now a real fighter is the hybrid stripe, it puts the L.M. to shame, this
spring I landed nearly a 12 lber on 6 lb test line, I was not fishing
for hybrids when this fish hit, If I had known there were any there, I
would have reached over in the truck and pulled out a much heaver rig
with 17 Lb test on it. I was fishing for little two lb spotted bass,
they are a blast on that ultra light rig, I got the shock of my life
when that striper, nearly spooled me before it ever turned

I have photo's of the fish and the little rig I caught him on




--
Rodney Long,
Inventor of the Long Shot "WIGGLE" rig, SpecTastic Thread
Boomerang Fishing Pro. ,Stand Out Hooks ,Stand Out Lures,
Mojo's Rock Hopper & Rig Saver weights, Decoy Activator
and the EZKnot http://www.ezknot.com

"Jerry" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Pepperoni wrote:
wrote in message
...


I fish 'em on 4# test. They run more like 11 1/4 inches. Not a big
problem
on open water, if you don't mind the boat spinning around the anchor
rope a
few times. Once a bluegill gets that big, he's too big for most of the
pike
to handle. They hunt in packs and fear nothing. I've seen them hunting
in
a line at dawn, with their backs out of the water---- looks like a snake
or
something moving on the surface. They are swimming with their eyes just
below the surface, hunting bugs, I presume.

People think of bluegills as 4-5 inches and kid stuff, but a limit
stringer
of 25 big gills weighs about 50 pounds and is a real "event" on the boat
ramp. People seing a full string for the first time, just can't believe
it.

You're right and people would be within their right not to believe it.
The World record Bluegill was a little over 4 pounds and just a tad over
14 inches in length. IIRC the Florida state record is less than 3
pounds and they grow big down there in that kind of climate. Anywhere a
Pike will live is not the ideal climate for Bluegill so you would have
to excuse me if I suspect I'm hearing a fish story. Sure you are not
confusing Bluegill with Yellow Perch or something? Hunting in packs, in
a line, with their backs out of the water and eyes just below the
surface ................. sorry, a Bluegills natural shape which is like
a dinner plate doesn't allow this to happen. Not calling you a liar
mind you, only just as I said I suspect a fish story being spun here.
BTW, a 11.25 inch Bluegill would bust 4# test line in a heart beat.
Pound for pound they will out fight a large mouth bass any day.

Jerry


Well, I suppose you have never seen 'gills swimming the surface. It is a
strange sight until you figure out what it is. Their shape is the reason
their backs will show as little crescents, and a school moving this way (in
a line) makes it look like some other strange critter.

I assure you, Michigan grows some fine bluegills. The large ones like big
water and are predatory. They hunt in packs and are too big for all but the
largest pike to eat. We sometimes do catch them with the scales rubbed off
of one side where a pike has TRIED to eat one.

Michigan state record was 2lb 12 oz, and 13.75 inches, caught in 1983 in
Alcona County. (which is 200 miles north of here)
http://www.hotspotfishing.com/record...s-Michigan.asp

I rarely break off anything using 4# test. Fishing in open water with a
smooth drag and a 12 foot UL rod. He's not going anywhere. I do use a
landing net.

Don't write off light tackle. I've been catching flatheads this year with
my UL rod and reel. (I did go to superlines for the heavy guys, though)
http://home.comcast.net/~catfisher88/flathead2.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~catfisher88/earlymorncarp.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~catfisher88/flathead1.jpg
The rod is the upper section of one of my 12 foot rods with a handle kit.
The short (6') length makes fishing the brush along the river easier. It's
still a bit whippy, but works well with the spiderwire, which has no
stretch.

These were the first flatheads I've seen on the river. We do have some fine
channels. though.
flatheads, 8-12 pounds caught on hot dog bait, carp to 22 pounds caught on
corn. All handled with a 6 foot UL rod rated for 4# test.

That spiderwire is great for cutting weeds. I have a huge arc mowed; I
just let the big carp run and listen to the weeds getting cut. tonk, tonk,
tonk.

Pepperoni

"Jerry" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Pepperoni wrote:
wrote in message
...


I fish 'em on 4# test. They run more like 11 1/4 inches. Not a big
problem
on open water, if you don't mind the boat spinning around the anchor
rope a
few times. Once a bluegill gets that big, he's too big for most of the
pike
to handle. They hunt in packs and fear nothing. I've seen them hunting
in
a line at dawn, with their backs out of the water---- looks like a snake
or
something moving on the surface. They are swimming with their eyes just
below the surface, hunting bugs, I presume.

People think of bluegills as 4-5 inches and kid stuff, but a limit
stringer
of 25 big gills weighs about 50 pounds and is a real "event" on the boat
ramp. People seing a full string for the first time, just can't believe
it.

You're right and people would be within their right not to believe it.
The World record Bluegill was a little over 4 pounds and just a tad over
14 inches in length. IIRC the Florida state record is less than 3
pounds and they grow big down there in that kind of climate. Anywhere a
Pike will live is not the ideal climate for Bluegill so you would have
to excuse me if I suspect I'm hearing a fish story. Sure you are not
confusing Bluegill with Yellow Perch or something? Hunting in packs, in
a line, with their backs out of the water and eyes just below the
surface ................. sorry, a Bluegills natural shape which is like
a dinner plate doesn't allow this to happen. Not calling you a liar
mind you, only just as I said I suspect a fish story being spun here.
BTW, a 11.25 inch Bluegill would bust 4# test line in a heart beat.
Pound for pound they will out fight a large mouth bass any day.

Jerry


Well, I suppose you have never seen 'gills swimming the surface. It is a
strange sight until you figure out what it is. Their shape is the reason
their backs will show as little crescents, and a school moving this way (in
a line) makes it look like some other strange critter.

I assure you, Michigan grows some fine bluegills. The large ones like big
water and are predatory. They hunt in packs and are too big for all but the
largest pike to eat. We sometimes do catch them with the scales rubbed off
of one side where a pike has TRIED to eat one.

Michigan state record was 2lb 12 oz, and 13.75 inches, caught in 1983 in
Alcona County. (which is 200 miles north of here)
http://www.hotspotfishing.com/record...s-Michigan.asp

I rarely break off anything using 4# test. Fishing in open water with a
smooth drag and a 12 foot UL rod. He's not going anywhere. I do use a
landing net.

Don't write off light tackle. I've been catching flatheads this year with
my UL rod and reel. (I did go to superlines for the heavy guys, though)
http://home.comcast.net/~catfisher88/flathead2.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~catfisher88/earlymorncarp.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~catfisher88/flathead1.jpg
The rod is the upper section of one of my 12 foot rods with a handle kit.
The short (6') length makes fishing the brush along the river easier. It's
still a bit whippy, but works well with the spiderwire, which has no
stretch.

These were the first flatheads I've seen on the river. We do have some fine
channels. though.
flatheads, 8-12 pounds caught on hot dog bait, carp to 22 pounds caught on
corn. All handled with a 6 foot UL rod rated for 4# test.

That spiderwire is great for cutting weeds. I have a huge arc mowed; I
just let the big carp run and listen to the weeds getting cut. tonk, tonk,
tonk.

Pepperoni

I suggest that a "foot long bluegill" is going to "bust" your tackle
unless you hook him on bass fishing gear -- even then he'll let you
know he was there ;-)

Cheers

I catch 9 to 10 inch bluegill weighing 12 to 16 ounces out of my pond regularly
- on a Shakesphere ultralight rod and reel and 4 pound line. Don't think I
have caught a 12 incher yet - they are still growing - but I don't think one
two inches longer is gonna be that much stronger. I have caught two pound bass
14 inches long on that same outfit and the bass fight harder, but they are
bigger.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

I suggest that a "foot long bluegill" is going to "bust" your tackle
unless you hook him on bass fishing gear -- even then he'll let you
know he was there ;-)

Cheers

I catch 9 to 10 inch bluegill weighing 12 to 16 ounces out of my pond regularly
- on a Shakesphere ultralight rod and reel and 4 pound line. Don't think I
have caught a 12 incher yet - they are still growing - but I don't think one
two inches longer is gonna be that much stronger. I have caught two pound bass
14 inches long on that same outfit and the bass fight harder, but they are
bigger.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com