FISHERIES OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 
133 
Bait. — Herring, smelt, sardines, and anchovies are chiefly used for 
bait by the market fishermen. When herring are abundant and cheap 
considerable quantities are salted in brine. Part of these are sold for 
food and and the remainder kept for bait.* The smelt is prepared for 
bait by cutting oft* its head, removing the viscera (including the dark 
peritoneum), scaling it, and taking out the backbone. This process 
leaves the two boneless sides of the fish, or slivers, which alone are con- 
sidered suitable for bait. Fresh bait is preferred, and, when it can be 
had, from 500 to 1,000 pounds are taken on each trip. 
Fig. 1. Crab net set on bottom. 
Fig. 2. Crab net drawn up. 
Dr. Bean says that salmon roes are used for bait, and it is common to 
see a sign in the market as follows : u Salmon eggs for bait.” 
There is no complaint of scarcity of bait. Clams and squid are not in 
favor for this purpose. The fishermen think they are much less attrac- 
tive lures than the species commonly used, and since they generally sell 
at remunerative prices there has been little reason for experimenting 
with them. 
Marketing the products . — It may first be said that the wholesale fresh- 
fish business of Sail Francisco is practically controlled by a few firms, 
or dealers, who handle the best of the products and cater to the highest 
class of trade. In addition to their wholesale business, which em- 
* The cod fleet take a few barrels of salt bait to begin with or to tide over any 
scarcity, but they usually depend upon getting their bait on the Ashing ground. 
