290 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



sett, with a crowd of patient anglers, waiting for the strike 

 of a Bass which came not. 



This species roams widely. In summer it is taken as far 

 north as Barnegat, and of very large size. At all seasons it 

 is found on the Atlantic and gulf coasts of Florida, and on 

 the coasts of Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia. In win- 

 ter it is confined to Florida waters, running well up into fresh 

 water, but disappears when a norther brings cold weather. 

 Seldom have I seen a Bass at these times; but as soon as a 

 change of wind brings warm weather we find the Bass on 

 hand, ready for business. Good fishing-grounds are at the 

 mouth of the St. John's river, and this fish has been taken 

 as far up as Magnolia, some fifty miles from the sea. I have 

 also taken them in the fresh water of Spruce Creek, while 

 trolling for Black Bass. Bass are taken on the beach near 

 St. Augustine; at the Halifax River Inlet is also a good fishing- 

 ground. New Smyrna, on the Hillsboro' River, and the 

 Indian River Inlet, where the writer, in 1870, found the fish 

 too abundant and eager to be caught but perhaps this 

 objection has been removed by the large number of anglers 

 who have frequented that region of late years. 



In summer the Bass is found along the beach in immense 

 numbers. As the fishermen say, "the surf is red with them," 

 and great sport may be had with rod or hand-line, by casting 

 into'the surf, as the fish seem to fight harder in open water 

 than in the rivers. The water being quite warm, say seventy 

 degrees, wading is agreeable, and to capture a ten-pound 

 fish while indulging in a warm bath is a novel experience to 

 most anglers. Sharks are found sometimes in the surf, but 

 do not come into the sloughs, or depressions of the beach, 

 where the Bass come to feed. 



Bands of roving hogs frequent the beach, and were ready 

 to steal my fish if exposed; and once I found a couple of 

 marsh ponies devouring my Bass; in this region man, beast 

 and bird all live on the fruit of the sea, and there is enough 



