128 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



year, the fishes now spawning in one vicinity and then feeding in an- 

 other. Without the sea herring the fisheries of the northeastern coast 

 of North America would be very indifferent, and it is a subject of great 

 congratulation that it is to be had at nearly all seasons, especially when 

 most needed as bait. 



Both the menhaden and the herring are used either entire for baiting 

 the hooks, or chopped up fine in a bait-mill as chum for attracting the 

 mackerel within reach of the hook and line or into the net. The sea 

 bass of the New England coast finds during the summer season the 

 chum of the menhaden an irresistible attraction, bringing them within 

 reach of the angler whenever its influence is experienced. 



Menhaden and herring are usually cut in pieces for bait for cod and 

 for many other varieties of fish; only the small herring, "spurring," are 

 used whole. 



(4) Mackerel. — The mackerel is used very frequently as bait, generally 

 the smaller and inferior individuals, or those less valuable for salting 

 being employed. They are also sometimes chopped up as bait for mack- 

 erel when cheaper material is not to be had. 



(5) Capelin. — Allied if not identical forms of capelin occur on both 

 sides of the N orth Atlantic, and are every where eagerly sought after as bait 

 for cod during the period of its presence. Unfortunately on the Ameri- 

 can coast it is found for only about six weeks. It is then in overwhelm- 

 ing abundance, coming in for the purpose of spawning, the eggs being 

 sometimes washed on the shore in great windrows, and frequently in the 

 edges of the sea forming beds several inches deep. When perfectly 

 fresh no fish can resist its attractions, and for shore cod-fishing during 

 the season nothing better can be had. It is, however, not considered 

 especially advantageous for the bank fishing. The capelin is kept fresh 

 in ice by the American bankers from 8 to 10 days, and occasionally a 

 little longer. The French fishermen use immense quantities of salt 

 capelin in the Grand Bank cod-fishery, though by Americans they are 

 not considered good bait when salted. 



In Norway the capelin is used very largely in the spring cod fisheries 

 of Fiumark, and its approach is hailed with the greatest satisfaction by 

 the fishermen. 



(C) Sundry fishes used as bait. — The sand-launce (Ammodytes) may 

 also be referred to as specially useful as a bait, as it can be obtained 

 in certain localities along the coast of the United States and the Prov- 

 inces in vast numbers, and is frequently used as a substitute for other 

 kinds o'f bait, and the corresponding European species is equally satis- 

 factory, being used by the fishermen on a large scale. Although less 

 in size than most of the species just enumerated, it can be used entire 

 and constitutes quite a tough, desirable bait. Tins fish lives mostly in 

 the sand, where it buries itself with great rapidity and is entirely con- 

 cealed from view. 



Other baits are frequently used both in the large and small fisheries, 



