Striped Bass Fishing 



waves, being excited with the momentary 

 expectation of catching a huge fellow. 

 But this by no means follows, even the 

 most propitious conditions ; nor do the 

 most adverse state of wind and weather 

 always work adverse results. The most 

 remarkable catch of bass ever made at 

 Pasque Island was with the water as clear 

 as crystal and perfectly smooth. There 

 happened in a school of huge bass, and 

 they were very hungry, and took the bait 

 without hesitation for more than twenty- 

 four hours after arrival ; and one member, 

 comparatively inexperienced as a fisher- 

 man, caught nine fish in one day, aggre- 

 gating 170 pounds. 



Nearly, if not quite, all bass fishermen 

 agree in the opinion that the steam men- 

 haden fishermen have greatly injured the 

 bass-fishing -- both by depriving them of 

 the food they most eagerly seek, and also 

 by driving them off their feeding-grounds 

 by their huge nets. 



A few years ago, from the first of July 

 to the first of November, one could rea- 

 sonably expect any day to hook a large bass 

 at any of the noted places. Now they 

 can rarely be caught, even where syste- 

 matically chummed. 



But there are many enjoyments in the 

 148 



