288 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



supplied with large fins, and covered with big scales, which 

 in large specimens are removed with a hoe. Head and 

 mouth large, with fine teeth in the jaws, and paved teeth in 

 the throat. The lips are tough, holding a hook securely, 

 when lodged. In size from one pound to fift}', averaging, 

 says Prof. Goode, ten pounds; but in the experience of the 

 present writer, somewhat less — perhaps seven. The smaller 

 ones run in companies, and go by the name of "School Bass." 

 The large ones go in pairs, or singly, and are called "Chan- 

 nel Bass." It is not a shy fish, like the Striped Bass, requir- 

 ing delicate tackle and long casts for its capture, but is a 

 bold biter, always hungry, and ready to play his part — and 

 he plays it well, fighting hard and long on the hook in open 

 water — disdaining such tricks as running into holes, and tak- 

 ing the line round roots and snags, or sulking at the bottom 

 like the lordly Salmon, or biting off the line like the Shark 

 or the Pike. By his deeds, if not by his words, the Red 

 Bass tells the angler that it is to be a fair fight and trial of 

 skill and strength between the combatants; and I have seen 

 a large Channel Bass break a heavy cod-line, in the hands of 

 a too impatient fisherman who tried to force the fighting. 

 Be it remembered that the native fisherman on the southern 

 coast uses the hand-line. 



From its size, abundance, game and edible qualities, the 

 Channel Bass may be considered the most valuable sporting 

 fish of the southern coast. In its habits it somew^hat 

 resembles the Striped Bass of northern waters, and many of 

 those, who have taken both species on a rod, consider the 

 southern fish as equal to the other in game quality; and the 

 pursuit of our fish has this advantage: that the angler may 

 rely, three days out of four, in making a catch ; whereas 

 the rule is reversed in the case of the Striped Bass. If you 

 can kill a good-sized Striped Bass, one day in four, you do 

 better than the average — as far as my experience goes. How 

 many days I have sat on the rocks at Newport or Narragan- 



