10S AMERICAN FISHES. 



offered a prize of a camping axe for the largest fish captured during the 

 season. In the company of Charles Hallock I visited the locality, and 

 having a day to spare I entered the lists. Provided with a mullet for 

 bait, I visited Ship Rock, and with rod and reel soon brought to gaff a 

 Channel Bass weighing twenty-four and one-half pounds. This proved to 

 be the largest fish of the season, and a few months later I received by 

 express a nicely finished camping axe with silver plate and appropriate 

 inscription. At one occasion at Homosassa I trolled with rod, reel and 

 spinner, and landed fourteen Bass ranging from nine to nineteen pounds. 

 From my own experience and such data as I have been able to collect, 

 Channel Bass visiting the St. John's River excel in size those of other 

 streams of the State. 



During the summer months at the mouth of the St. John's River, fisher- 

 men wade in the surf, use a stout hand line, a heavy sinker, and mullet for 

 bait, throw their lines beyond the breakers and capture great numbers of 

 Bass ranging from thirty to sixty pounds. I have not heard of any one 

 using the rod and reel in surf fishing, but am satisfied that if tested it 

 would afford exciting sport. During the latter part of August, September 

 and October superior Bass fishing can be secured at the shells opposite 

 the old lighthouse at Mill Point and Shell Bank. Owing to the rapidity 

 of the current, and the size of the fish, stout cable line or braided cotton 

 lines with large hooks are used. At slack water, or if the anchor is raised 

 when a large fish is hooked, a stiff bass rod, with a large reel and Cutty- 

 hunk line will be found sufficient to bring these noble fish to gaff. Midway 

 between Jacksonville and the mouth of the river is a deep back channel 

 where there is but little tide, where large Bass congregate, and where a rod 

 and reel can be successfully used. At almost any time during August, 

 September or October the fishermen may capture during a day's fishing 

 from three to fifteen of these fish, and at times their numbers seem to be 

 endless." 



From the same excellent journal I quote the opinions of a New Jersey 

 drum-fisherman : 



" I fish for the Red Drum here from a skiff anchored at sea in four fathoms 

 of water, a mile and a-half from the beach, and use the plaited cotton cod 

 line and the Virginia drum hook, letter "A," No. 4. Use menhaden 

 bait ; anchor the skiff and chum as for striped bass. I believe a hook 

 suspended so as to hang a foot above the sinker is most successful, though 

 I take them also from the bottom. They are indiscriminate feeders, 

 smashing clams and catching menhaden with equal avidity, but I think 

 the oil of the menhaden attracts them from a distance, and the latter is 

 therefore the best bait. I have taken them upon all sorts of cut 

 bait — Lafayettes, weak-fish, etc. 



Brigantine Beach just now is level as a table, the surf breaking on it for 

 several hundred yards. This is its normal condition, ami it cannot now 



