220 Bass, Pike, and Perch 



taking them by trolling with hand-line. If suit- 

 able rods and tackle were used, it would not be 

 objectionable. 



Next to the striped-bass the weakfish is the 

 most important game-fish of the East Coast, and 

 to judge from the greater number of anglers who 

 pursue " weakfishing," it is far and away the 

 favorite with the majority. The estuaries and 

 bays of the Jersey coast. Long Island, and Staten 

 Island, and along the Sound, afford good fishing 

 in the season and at favorable stages of the tide. 

 These localities are more frequented by anglers 

 than any other section of the East Coast. While 

 ideal angling can only be found on inland waters 

 in casting the fly for salmon, black-bass, or trout, 

 amidst the rural and pastoral scenes of hill and 

 hollow, with the birds and sweet-scented blossoms 

 ever near the rippling streams — a full measure 

 of enjoyment is vouchsafed to the salt-water 

 angler in the exhilarating sail to the fishing- 

 banks, the sunlit crests of the incoming tide, and 

 the health-giving ozone of the chlorinated breeze. 

 Then follows the ready response of the gamy weak- 

 fish to the angler's lure, the brave fight and happy 

 landing of the prize. This is surely sport galore, 

 and not to be gainsaid by the most prejudiced. 



