STRIPED BASS. 147 



guides must be large to deliver the line freely, and 

 if the line is seen to bag during the cast between 

 the guides, it is a sure sign that they are too small. 

 The line is of twisted grass or raw silk, which is the 

 best but most expensive and delicate ; of plaited 

 silk, which is the strongest; or of linen, which is 

 cheap and common, but as they are all easily rotted, 

 is the one in general use. The grass line, if it over- 

 runs and whips against the bars of the reel, is sure 

 to cut, but it delivers beautifully ; the silk line soon 

 becomes water-logged and sticky ; and the linen one 

 combines these defects with a faculty of swelling 

 when wet peculiarly its own. A perfect bass-line is 

 a desideratum not yet supplied. The American reels 

 and cane rods are perfection, but the lines are a 

 cause of reproach and vexation of spirit. 



Casting the menhaden bait is similar to casting 

 the float and sinker, only the power is enormously 

 increased and deficiencies proportionally magnified. 

 The line is wound up till the bait, if a single one, is 

 almost two feet from the tip, the rod is extended 

 behind the fisherman, who turns his body for the 

 purpose, and then brought forward with a steady 

 but vigorous swing that discharges it without a 

 jerk, like an apple thrown from a stick by rustic 

 youths. The reel is so far restrained by pressure of 

 the thumb that it revolves no faster than the bait 

 travels, but does not in the least detain it, and upon 

 the accuracy of this manipulation mainly depends 

 the result. If too much pressure is used, the line 

 cannot escape rapidly enough and falls short ; if too 



