Fishing in North Carolina. 91 



It is plentiful iu the l^euse and tributaries, 

 schools and scatters, like hass, and appears to be 

 a sort of chum to bass, frequenting the same 

 waters, and preferring live bait. Specimens 

 have been taken measuring as much as fifteen 

 inches, although they generally run much smal- 

 ler. This fish vs^ill take a small minnow as 

 early as February, in the river; and while the 

 crappy is not such a free biter as sonie people 

 assert (up country), yet the strike is thrillingly 

 bass-like and the fight pretty, but the mouth is 

 so tender that much play is not permissible, as 

 they will tear loose from the hook. I do not like 

 the name "bass," as applied to it, but prefer 

 "crappy." It is thinner than the bass and yet 

 longer than other perch. The flesh is "good to 

 eat," as indeed all perch are palatable. 



It does not nest like other varieties, but it 

 deposits its spawn upon bushes, stumps and 

 rocks. 



