46 Fisning iv AMERICAN WATERS. 
CHAPTER III. 
COAST AND ESTUARY FISHES. 
As the fishes of the Atlantic coast of North America, in- 
cluding those of the estuaries and tidal waters which debouch 
along our coast, are more numerous, and include a greater va- 
riety for both the angler and the commercial fisherman than 
do the finny tribes of the coasts of any other country, and as 
nearly every American angler of a tidal river regards the 
striped bass as the fish of fishes par excellence to be angled 
for, I trust that I shall be pardoned for placing this beauty 
first on the list, and showing some of the artistic ways for 
taking him. 
Tue Strivep Bass. 
This fish, so beautiful and gamesome, is peculiar to the 
tidal waters and estuaries of the rivers which empty on the 
coast of the Atlantic from Portland to Norfolk. The striped 
bass is known farther north and south, but it exists in the 
most perfect state in the rivers and along the coast between 
the points named. It affords good sport with light tackle 
when its weight is but half a pound; and it tries both the 
metal and skill of an angler after it rises to the ponderous 
importance of ten pounds, though it is said to attain to the 
