TACKLE. ;5<l5 



tlic Striped Bass rather than any otlior bait. A sliding' sinker 

 should be used iu this instance, which rests on tlie •ground, and 

 allows the crab to move on the bottom. No float is nquiied 

 for this method. 



So soon as the season is so far athauced that the shedder has 

 recovered his scaly panoply, which sets his eneniies' assaults at 

 defiance, the shrimp again conu's into play, aiid.uith the \arious 

 kinds of small salt-water fishes, constitutes the best river baits. 



For boat fishini; in the hay, with sinkers — as for the Weak 

 Fish, Kin;: Fish, and others, am(ni|j; wliieh the Striped Bass is 

 taken, the soft clam is the t'axourite appliance; and fur this kind 

 of sport, full and neap tides, and a wind off shore, are the best 

 periods. 



In killing the Biiss, after he is hooked, great skill, great per- 

 sevenince, and incessant vigilance arc necessary. It is a .<*inf' 

 (/ltd non to keep him up, frustrating liis efforts to rush to the 

 bottom, and to hold him ever in hand, with a taut line, ceding 

 nothing to his wildest efforts, except on absolute compulsion. 



Excellent tackle is recjuisite, and to preserve it excellent, 

 constant attention to it must hi- had, or all will he in vain. 

 Nothing is more provoking than to lose a fine fish, wi-ll [ilayed, 

 and pi-rhaps all but kilhd, owing to sonic slight imperfection in 

 the gut bottom or the arming of the hooks, which care, before 

 coming to the water's edge, would have easily and surely 

 prevented. 



Whether the Striped 15;ujs haa ever been killed by the fatal 

 spoon, I know not ; but 1 cannot doubt that it would be found 

 nearly n-s cfTective a.s with its congi iut, the splendid Black Bass 

 of the Si. Lawrence, to which I .shall nu« proceiil. 



