26 THE STRIPED BASS. 



though they will usually bite at shrimp until about 

 the first of August. The mode of fishing with crabs 

 differs a little from the other, inasmuch as the bait 

 should now lie on the bottom, whereas in the case of 

 shrimps it is suspended near the bottom. A sliding 

 sinker is now used, and the float dispensed with al- 

 together. About the first of October you again re- 

 sort to shrimps, as the shell of the crab now begins 

 to harden. The Killey fish is also used now, in salt 

 water, which is, in fact, preferable to the shrimp for 

 large fish. In fiesh water you should use the white 

 opened soft clam. But the bass is very whimsical 

 and dainty. In some places he will jump greedily 

 at a clam bait, while at others he will take nothing 

 but shrimp or crab. There is a beautiful little fish 

 called the spearing which is fished with at certain 

 places in salt water, with great success. In the 

 Hudson river, the largest and finest bass are taken 

 with set lines, as follows : Two stakes are driven in 

 the bottom of the river at a certain distance apart, 

 and a strong cord is stretched across. To this cord 

 is attached short lines at convenient distances, with 

 strong hooks, bated with torn-cod or other small fish. 

 In this way the very largest bass are taken in great 

 abundance. 



Trolling for bass is excellent sport, and is practiced 

 a good deal by amateurs. The tackle employed is 

 a strong hand line, and artificial bait is used with 

 good success. This consists of silver plated " spoons," 

 or bits of mother pearl worked into a proper shape, 



