66 Fisuine ty Amentcan WATERS. 
of thirty pounds, should be stained to the color of the water, 
when it forms the best line possible for this kind of fishing, 
and it should not be larger than a salmon line. The buoyancy 
of the water, strength of tide, and dash cf the surf, render a 
very strong line indispensable for large bass. Still, as the 
fish is as gamy as a salmon, and full as cunning, the line 
must be fine and the rig very clean, or he will select every 
piece of chum thrown to him, and refuse the one with a hook 
in it; or if by chance—when feeding on chum—he takes a 
piece with a hook in it, he rejects it instantly, and before the 
angler has time to strike, probably distinguishing the differ- 
ence by the weight of the hook. The most successful way 
to angle for them is to rig so clean that they will grab the 
bait like hungry dogs, and dash away for more, or to keep it 
away from other fishes. 
Rop.—Should be from seven to eight feet six inches in 
length. The two lower joints of ash, and the upper one of 
lancewood, mounted as indicated by A, B, C, with silver, bell- 
metal, or brass. Some prefer a Japan bamboo pole, because 
of its strength and lightness; several gentlemen of the Pasque 
Island, Cuttyhunk, and West Island clubs are among those, 
and as these clubs include many of our amateur experts at 
this elegant kind of fishing, their opinions claim attention. 
My own opinion is, that a highly-finished, well-balanced, three- 
jointed rod is the best for use, and of course most convenient 
for carrying on fishing excursions. Some anglers have joint- 
ed bassing-rods made exclusively from split bamboo, weigh- 
ing less than a pound, including their silver and jewel mount- 
ings; the objects attaimed being lightness, strength, beauty, 
and just elasticity enough for casting and playing a fish. The 
sockets and shoulders of the joints of all rods for coast and 
estuary fishing should be lined and covered with the same 
metal used for the bands and guide-frames. Double guides, 
one side lined with jewels and the other made of bell-met- 
al, and a jeweled top, form a good mounting, the shoulders 
being covered with the same metal as the bands. It is nea- 
