Popular Salt=Water Game Fish 



ti'al is to deliver the bait at the surface of the water 

 without a jerk, and the motion of the reel must 

 stop as soon as the bait touches the water. As 

 soon as the bait sinks to the bottom, the 

 py!*. .^ line is reeled in slowly, and casting is 

 continued till the fish is hooked. The 

 first dash of the fish is the most critical stage of the 

 fishing, and the bass may sometimes rush toward 

 the angler faster than the slack can be taken 

 uj), calling for the best judgment and skill on 

 the part of the angler. The preparation and ap- 

 plication of the menhaden bait is very simple. 

 The fish is first scaled, then a slice is cut from each 

 side from head to tail, leaving little except the 

 back bone, head, and fins, which are utilized later 

 for "chum." The hook is inserted in the fleshy 

 side of a strip, then returned through the edges 

 of the scaly side in such a manner as entirely to 

 conceal the shank; the bait must be tied on the 

 hook, or it will be soon washed off by the action 

 of the water. After two baits are cut from the 

 sides, the remainder of the fish is chopped up and 

 thrown into the water, the solid portions sinking 

 at greater or less distance from the shore, while the 

 oil covers the surface for a considerable space. 



In landing a large fish through the surf, great 

 skill is required, for many tricks are played by the 

 bass to evade capture. 



Other relatives of the striped bass are the white 

 bass, yellow bass, and white perch; though much 

 smaller and of lesser importance, they are still 

 caught on tackle of a lighter build. 

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