60 American Seashells 



the only satisfactory methods of collecting deep-water species. In many 

 instances larger and more perfect specimens of normally shallow-water spe- 

 cies are found in moderately deep waters just offshore. 



Dredging, like fishing, is a science as M-ell as an art. It requires a basic 

 knowledge of boats, equipment and bottom conditions. Firsthand experience 

 is a necessity before satisfactory results can be obtained. It is also an expen- 

 sive operation in which costs increase geometrically the deeper one dredges. 

 Those who are financially willing to spend several hundred dollars in elabo- 

 rate operations are urged to seek the advice of one of several of the Florida 

 or California shell dredgers. However, very profitable collecting in depths 

 less than loo feet may be undertaken from a rowboat at relatively little 

 expense. 



One of the prime prerequisites of safe dredging is a healthy respect for 

 the ocean and her many moods. Limit rowing operations to calm inlets and 

 bays. Sudden squalls, high winds, swift currents and blistering sun on the 

 open ocean are serious adversaries to even the "saltiest" fisherman. Prepare 

 for each trip with care, and back your operations with a knowledge of local 

 tides, currents, the weather and bottom conditions. 



There are many types of dredges, and the larger your boat and engine 

 the more elaborate may be your dredge. For rowboat operations the simplest 

 type consists of a triangular or rectangular iron frame with a pair of iron 

 bridles which are tied together. A fine-meshed fishino- net is sewn to the 



o o 



frame. The free end of the net is not sew^n but merely tied together, so that 

 the contents can be removed from the back. A net of this sort is apt to be 

 ripped on rough bottom, so that a canvas sleeve or tube open at the back 

 end should be sewn to the frame and allowed to cover the outside of the 

 net. The Burches of California, renowned for their west coast dredging, 

 have had better luck with a triangular dredge and copper screen net. The 

 leading edges of these smaller types, which are rarely more than two feet 

 across, should be sharp and flare a little in order to dig moderately deep into 

 the bottom. 



Very remarkable results over mud bottoms may be obtained by using 

 a small trawl. This is a modified dredge whose leading edges are of lead- 

 weighted lines. The mouth of the trawl is kept open by a small, slanting 

 board at each end. This type has the advantage of not digging up large 

 quantities of ooze and mud. 



In waters less than 150 feet in depth, the tow line may be of %" or 

 %" manila rope, although the tendency for this to float in deeper waters 

 necessitates the use of lead weights placed at intervals along the line. About 

 300 feet of line will suffice for hauls not deeper than 100 feet. 



Only through trial and error will you learn the many tricks of dredging. 

 The feel of the line will tell you whether the dredcre is cutting^ into mud or 



