The Channel-bass Ig! 
and an east wind to blow the water in and up; 
so shallow was it at low tide that I saw a gigantic 
sunfish ground as it wandered in, its struggles 
attracting so much attention that it was ulti- 
mately caught. This shallow water created a 
heavy sea, or rip, which was more or less uncom- 
fortable at times; but by anchoring on the edge 
of the channel, and fishing at the slack tide, much 
sport was enjoyed, while, up the river, in smooth 
water, there was an excellent “channel-bass 
ground,” very popular with the anglers who came 
through from Fernandina in boats or from up the 
river. So fierce was the tide that almost every 
one used hand-lines and sinkers, and even then 
the latter would often apparently rise to the sur- 
face; but at slack water I fished with my rod, 
which was about eight feet long, of greenheart, 
weighing twenty-four ounces; the line, a number 
twelve cuttyhunk, tested to pull twenty-two 
pounds, and hook about the size of a 7/o Lim- 
erick, though the boatmen used something much 
larger. The bait was mullet and crab. 
We started in at the ebb, and anchored in a 
place selected. In a short time the tide, rushing 
against the incoming sea, created a singular rip, 
unpleasant to look upon, which seemed to merge 
