46 FISHING IN AMERICAN WATERS. 



CHAPTER HI. 



COAST AND ESTUARY FISHES. 



As the fishes of the Atlantic coast of North America, in- 

 cluding those of the estuaries and tidal waters which debouch 

 along our coast, are more numerous, and include a greater va- 

 riety for both the angler and the commercial fisherman than 

 do the finny tribes of the coasts of any other country, and as 

 nearly every American angler of a tidal river regards the 

 striped bass as the fish of fishes par excellence to be angled 

 for, I trust that I shall be pardoned for placing this beauty 

 first on the list, and showing some of the artistic ways for 

 taking him. 



THE STRIPED BASS. 



This fish, so beautiful and gamesome, is peculiar to the 

 tidal waters and estuaries of the rivers which empty on the 

 coast of the Atlantic from Portland to Norfolk. The striped 

 bass is known farther north and south, but it exists in the 

 most perfect state in the rivers and along the coast between 

 the points named. It affords good sport with light tackle 

 when its weight is but half a pound ; and it tries both the 

 metal and skill of an angler after it rises to the ponderous 

 importance of ten pounds, though it is said to attain to the 



