416 SEA BASS FISHING. 



THE SEA BASS. 



The Sea Bass is another gentleman among his finny com- 

 rades, and he is sometimes taken by the rod- fisher while 

 angling for the Squeteaqne, or King Fish. He is, however, 

 difficult so to kill, and is comparatively rare in the inner 

 waters. 



On the sea-banks without Sandy Hook, in the lower bay, 

 and in the Sound, he is very abundant, and afi"ords great sport 

 to those who are satisfied with quick biting and continual 

 hauling in. 



Both for the Bass and the Big Porgee, stout hempen or 

 flaxen drop-lines are the most successful, varying from ten to 

 twenty-five fathoms in length, fitted with a single sinker of a 

 pound weight, and three or four hooks on separate snoods, 

 eighteen inches asunder, of various sizes, for various species of 

 fish. 



For Porgees, the No. 3 round Black Fish hook is preferred ; 

 for Sea Bass, Nos. 1 or 2 Kirby. The only bait is the clam, 

 and it is desirable to salt him for a day, which, hardening the 

 flesh, renders it more difiicult for the fish to abstract him. 



No skill is required for this mode of fishing, except that of 

 keeping one's wits about him, striking very sharply the instant 



