THE CO^tPLETE ANGLER. 



And the baits for this bold fish 



16'J 



are not many ;* I mean, he will bite as well at some or at any 

 of these three, as at any or all others whatsoever, a worm, a 

 minnow, or a little frog, of which you may find many in hay- 



* Pearch abound in our waters, and afford the readiest amusement to the 

 untutored angler ; though, except the large yellow pearch {Bodianus Fla- 

 vescens of Mitchill), they are not much prized as game by the more skil 

 ful, who have a taste for better things. This last named are sometimes 

 caught of several pounds weight, when fishing in clear ponds for its nobler 

 relative the black bass. Few directions are needed for pearch fishing, as 

 he is so bold a biter as to take anything that is offered ; but, perhaps, the 

 most exciting mode of angling for him is with the small artificial ivory or 

 mother of pearl minnow, in the whirl of the outward-going tide (above 

 salt water,) about an hour after it lias turned. 



Having named the black bass of our lakes and more northern rivers 

 {Centrarchus Fasciatus, De Kay), it is impossible to refrain from a brief 

 notice of that fish which is, next to the Salmo family, most prized by the 

 American angler in fresh waters. Angling for him may be begun in June, 

 when he is to be found in about fourteen or more feet of water, among tiie 

 grass. He should be fished for with strong running tackle, the best line 

 being of silk (braided), with a stout gut bottom (or, Americanice, leader), 

 and the rod tolerably stiff. The baits are minnows, shiners (still better), 

 young frogs, and grasshoppers (best of all). He will also take the worm, 

 and even pearch cut into slices ; but, in using these baits, the angler is 

 more likely to be annoyed by less desirable fish. Nothing can exceed the 

 vigor and liveliness of his play ; for he will try every art, even to flinging 

 himself high out of water, that he may shake off the hook; and the rod 

 must not be kept perpendicular, but moved in various directions, and some- 

 times even partly submerged to counteract his rushes, and hold him under 

 the surface. His struggles, however, do not last long ; and the landing net 



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