THE BASSES: FRES H w ATER AND MARINE 



its kind and has different markings for the sexes, 

 females having longitudinal narrow dark streaks 

 while males have dark bars arranged vertically. 

 The menhaden is the most famous of all baits in 

 surf fishing, serving not only to toll the fish by pro- 

 ducing an oily floating scum, but also to furnish 

 a choice morsel which no right-minded bass can well 

 refuse. 



For a trolling-bait on certain rivers, especially 

 the Susquehanna, an eel-tail is sometimes used suc- 

 cessfully. When the skin of the eel only is taken, 

 it is better to cast by hand, attaching a small sinker 

 to the front of the bait. The skin is stripped from 

 the vent backward, turned inside out, and drawn 

 over two hooks, one at the front and another at the 

 rear. The lure must be pulled rapidly through the 

 water, to give it a lifelike appearance. 



Another bait, seldom heard of at present, but 

 formerly much esteemed, is the roe of the shad. 

 There is no question that bass are fond of this deli- 

 cacy, because they follow the shad up their spawn- 

 ing rivers for the express purpose of enjoying such 

 food. The principal objection to the roe is that it 

 is not nice to handle, and its preparation is some- 

 what difficult. At the same time some anglers con- 

 tinue to fish with it and keep it in jars through the 

 summer by covering the whole roe with hot tallow, 

 sealing it tightly, and placing it in a cold spot. In 

 order to prevent the rapid destruction of the roe it 



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