The Channel-bass 191 



and an east wind to blow the water in and up ; 

 so shallow was it at low tide that I saw a gigantic 

 sunfish ground as it wandered in, its struggles 

 attracting so much attention that it was ulti- 

 mately caught. This shallow water created a 

 heavy sea, or rip, which was more or less uncom- 

 fortable at times; but by anchoring on the edge 

 of the channel, and fishing at the slack tide, much 

 sport was enjoyed, while, up the river, in smooth 

 water, there was an excellent " channel-bass 

 ground," very popular with the anglers who came 

 through from Fernandina in boats or from up the 

 river. So fierce was the tide that almost every 

 one used hand-lines and sinkers, and even then 

 the latter would often apparently rise to the sur- 

 face ; but at slack water I fished with my ' rod, 

 which was about eight feet long, of greenheart, 

 weighing twenty-four ounces ; the line, a number 

 twelve cuttyhunk, tested to pull twenty-two 

 pounds, and hook about the size of a 7/0 Lim- 

 erick, though the boatmen used something much 

 larger. The bait was mullet and crab. 



We started in at the ebb, and anchored in a 

 place selected. In a short time the tide, rushing 

 against the incoming sea, created a singular rip, 

 unpleasant to look upon, which seemed to merge 



