THE STRIPED BASSE. 169 



of the line and proceed to take the fish from the hooks. In 

 one night several hundred weight of these excellent fish have 

 been taken from two or three of these set lines, to be seen 

 alive on the stands in Washington market late in December 

 Some of the finest the writer has ever eaten were bought at 

 the stand of Mr. Hiscox in that market." 



On the subject of the different baits for the basse, it is 

 proper to remark that, like the trout, the rock is very par- 

 ticular about the quality of his food : in some places at some 

 seasons he will jump readily at clam bait, and at other places 

 he will take nothing but shrimp or crab. At Macomb's Dam, 

 Harlem river, at particular periods, the best bait is a small, 

 beautiful fish called the spearing, which sometimes he will 

 take and nothing else, and other times nothing but shedder 

 crabs will satisfy his dainty palate. At many places in the 

 Hudson river, and in the bay, the clam bait is sufficient to 

 hook him in large quantities. At the former place he is 

 rather epicurean, and as long as Astor House fare is offered 

 him by the peculiarity of the ground, he will not be content 

 to take small dishes, and rejects everything for his favorite 

 fancy at the time.. 



In the striking and running of the basse, equally as much 

 pleasure is given as with the trout and salmon, and is 

 to be treated in the same manner as directed for those 

 fishes. Care should always be taken, after having hooked 

 him, to keep him well up from the bottom, with the line well 

 stretched ; and if the angler be not so fortunate as to have a 

 cast in his eyes, as so elegantly described on former pages, from 

 the " Angler's Souvenir," let him be watchful of every move- 

 ment, have faith in his tackle, (which should always be 

 examined for that purpose previous to wetting his line,) 

 courage, patience and perseverance, and there will be no 

 difficulty in taking the largest run of fish with little trouble. 



