350 MODERN SEA FISHING 



have known large shoals enter the Shannon estuary, and swim 

 up the mouth of a tributary river. Probably, when sea fishing 

 is still further recognised as a sport, places will be found on the 

 Irish coast where bass are very plentiful. 



Speaking generally, the bass is a summer fish, not leaving 

 the deep sea and approaching the coast until the mild weather 

 sets in. Much depends on the state of the weather. If it be 

 cold their coming will be delayed, while in warm, genial 

 seasons they may be expected somewhat earlier than usual. On 

 the coast of Devonshire bass have been captured as early as 

 February, but it is usually March or April before any quantity 

 is observed. Thence onwards, until the cold weather comes 

 again and drives them into deep water, these fish will be found, 

 either in shoals or singly, off headlands, in races, playing 

 about the bars of rivers, and towards the end of the summer 

 entering the estuaries in large numbers. Sometimes they are 

 feeding on the surface, sometimes on the bottom. While the 

 youngsters play about in the sharp running water and per- 

 petrate fierce onslaughts on shoals of innocent sand-eels and 

 herring fry, the more elderly fish, as I have pointed out, coast 

 round the rocks, and enter harbours and other places where 

 there is plenty of refuse for them to feed upon. In such situa- 

 tions their tastes appear to degenerate, for they will often scorn- 

 fully turn away from a delicate sand-eel presented to them 

 alive, while a malodorous piece of oily ray's liver they will suck 

 in greedily. 



There are few baits bass will not take at times ; but, as I 

 have pointed out, where fish develop a taste for scavengering, 

 their tastes must be pampered, and if ray's liver is not available 

 the entrails of chicken or rabbit (if somewhat high so much the 

 better) may often be used with success. Of squid, cuttle and 

 octopus they are particularly fond. The largest bass I ever 

 hooked came like a tiger at a piece of squid I was using as a 



