THE STRIPED BASS 



were very discouraging. In 1902, for example, 

 only two bass were recorded. The f alling-off has 

 been attributed to extermination of the bass, and, 

 in part, to the presence of innumerable lobster-pots 

 in the vicinity. 



The Pasque Island Club, Pasque Island, Mass., 

 whose records have been kept since 1866, took 905 

 fish in 1868 and only one in 1889. In 1902 forty 

 were recorded. Seining for menhaden in Buzzards 

 Bay, sale of immature fish in the markets, and the 

 firing of heavy guns by war-ships and from Fort 

 Trumbull are assigned as causes of the scarcity of 

 big bass. 



The Monument Club, Bourne, Mass., began its 

 record in 1873 and attained a maximum of 633 

 bass in 1878. Very few bass have been taken 

 during the last decade, owing probably to the dimi- 

 nution of menhaden, shrimp, and young fish form- 

 ing the food of the bass. 



The Beaver Tail Club, Conanicut Island, R. I., 

 has no accurate accounts of the catch, but 104 bass 

 were set down for 1890, since which date and until 

 1896 the number secured was small. 



The Graves Point Club, Newport, R. L, has rec- 

 ords from 1881 to 1890, but nothing authentic since 

 1 890. Before the club was formed Mr. William Post, 

 while fishing at Graves Point, caught the largest 

 striped bass ever taken on rod and reel, a fish weigh- 

 ing seventy pounds several hours after its capture. 



13 193 



