394 STRIPED BASS FISHING. 



fish for them as is the usual practice at Macomb^s Dam, King's 

 Bridge, or Belleville Bridge on the Passaic, and similar places, 

 with floats and sinkers and the bottom baits ; though I confess 

 that the size and vigour of the fish, when hooked, render this 

 the finest of all the kinds of bait-fishing. 



The rule is, to fish as near the bottom as possible, with a 

 sinker light enough to move with the tide. The hook should be 

 large, and I believe the Kirby form is generally preferred to the 

 Limerick. Some anglers recommend the use of double, others 

 of single gut ; and some fish with, others without the float ; both 

 plans have their own advantages, and probably there is little 

 difference in reality between the two. 



In rivers frequented by Shad, the Shad-roe, either fresh, or 

 preserved and potted, as described above in reference to Salmon, 

 is the most killing bait that can be used in the Spring-time, and 

 is especially the favourite bait of the Passaic anglers at the 

 Belleville Bridge and the reefs near Acquackanonck. I have 

 no doubt of its success in the Upper Delaware so high as 

 Milford, where the Bass, there called Rock Fish, is taken of rare 

 excellence. In tide-ways it is obviously useless, since the Shad 

 never spawn in such places, and as animals in a state of nature 

 feed naturally, the Bass never looks for, nor will take, such a 

 bait, except in spots where it abounds naturally. 



The Bass may be fished for with success from early in April, 

 sometimes even in March, until late in October and September. 

 On his first appearance, and up to the latter part of June, the 

 shrimp is the best bait; and it should be used with a float, 

 suspended at ten or eleven inches distant from the bottom. 

 From June, thoughout the summer, the shedder crab attracts 



