66 FISHING IN AMERICAN WATERS. 



of thirty pounds, should "be stained to the color of the water, 

 when it forms the best line possible for this kind of fishing, 

 and it should not be larger than a salmon line. The buoyancy 

 of the water, strength of tide, and dash of the surf, render a 

 very strong line indispensable for large bass. Still, as the 

 fish is as gamy as a salmon, and full as cunning, the line 

 must be fine and the rig very clean, or he will select every 

 piece of chum thrown to him, and refuse the one with a hook 

 in it ; or if by chance when feeding on chum he takes a 

 piece with a hook in it, he rejects it instantly, and before the 

 angler has time to strike, probably distinguishing the differ- 

 ence by the weight of the hook. The most successful way 

 to angle for them is to rig so clean that they will grab the 

 bait like hungry dogs, and dash away for more, or to keep it 

 away from other fishes. 



ROD. Should be from seven to eight feet six inches in 

 length. The two lower joints of ash, and the upper one of 

 lancewood, mounted as indicated by A, B, C, with silver, bell- 

 metal, or brass. Some prefer a Japan bamboo pole, because 

 of its strength and lightness ; several gentlemen of thePasque 

 Island, Cuttyhunk, and West Island clubs are among those, 

 and as these clubs include many of our amateur experts at 

 this elegant kind of fishing, their opinions claim attention. 

 My own opinion is, that a highly-finished, well-balanced, three- 

 jointed rod is the best for use, and of course most convenient 

 for carrying on fishing excursions. Some anglers have joint- 

 ed bassing-rods made exclusively from split bamboo, weigh- 

 ing less than a pound, including their silver and jewel mount- 

 ings ; the objects attained being lightness, strength, beauty, 

 and just elasticity enough for casting and playing a fish. The 

 sockets and shoulders of the joints of all rods for coast and 

 estuary fishing should be lined and covered with the same 

 metal used for the bands and guide-frames. Double guides, 

 one side lined with jewels and the other made of bell-met- 

 al, and a jeweled top, form a good mounting, the shoulders 

 being covered with the same metal as the bands. It is nei- 



