134 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



Of the two popular names, Striped Bass seems the more 

 appropriate, as it is descriptive of the fish, and not of the bot- 

 tom on which they are sometimes, but not always, found; and 

 by this name they are best known in the region where they 

 are pursued most successfully, as well as most artistically, by 

 the angler. 



Although the habitat of the Striped Bass is extended, they 

 are found in greater numbers between Chesapeake Bay and 

 Cape Cod than in any other part of their geographical range. 

 Along the coast of this favored region, and in the numerous 

 bays and inlets by which it is indented, they are caught in im- 

 mense numbers by the seine fishermen, and sent to the New 

 York and other markets. Even the sandy beaches of Long 

 Island and New Jersey are made to furnish their quota of the 

 fish-food required to provision the great cities. 



In the fall of the year, crews of hardy surf men may be seen, 

 on any favorable day, coasting along in their bank skiffs, just 

 beyond the breakers, with one of their number stationed 

 in the bow as a lookout, and as they near the sandspits, 

 where the break of the sea lashes the water into suds, the 

 fish will be seen scudding away, frightened at the approach- 

 ing craft. I have seen them present a particularly lively 

 appearance in the night-time, darting through the phospho- 

 rescent water like bolts of living fire. The seines are short, 

 not comparing with the enormous ones used in North Caro- 

 lina, and are paid out in the usual manner, from the stern 

 of the boat. I have known five thousand pounds of Bass to 

 be caught in one haul on the coast of New Jersey 



As this king of the surf is indigenous to American waters 

 so the implements used in his capture are peculiar to this 

 country Salmon and Trout rods and reels are sometimes 

 imported, but all fine Bass tackle, with the exception of the 

 hook, is the result of American ingenuity, and is made by 

 our own artisans. 



The methods of angling for him in the early Puritan days, 



