THE STRIPED BASS 



hook securely, but the fish will sometimes prefer 

 them to all other lures. The skimmer is known as 

 an excellent bait at Allenhurst, N". J., where a great 

 bed of these clams attracts bass of large size. The 

 squid, if it were easier to obtain, would prove highly 

 effective, as it is one of the natural foods of striped 

 bass and other game-fishes. Supplies may be had 

 around Martha's Vineyard, and the islands between 

 Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay, with more or 

 less regularity in summer. Doubtless the salted 

 squid would serve very well when the fresh material 

 is lacking, just as it does in the commercial cod- 

 fishery. 



ti Small fish of many kinds, either alive or dead, 

 will always hold their place, because they are the 

 legitimate prey of the large game-fishes. To a con- 

 siderable extent the bass depends for its rapid 

 growth on such resources. In California the shiner 

 and sardine are the staple baits for trolling or still- 

 fishing. As a matter of fact, any of the numerous 

 silvery or translucent minnows of the coast waters 

 will attract the game. On our Eastern shores we 

 have an abundance of little fish in every way suit- 

 able in size and coloration for the angler's needs, 

 — silversides, spearing, killifish, lant, smelt, salt- 

 water mullet, eel, alewife, and menhaden. One of 

 the killies is so well associated with the bass in the 

 capacity of a food-supply that it has received the 

 name of bass killie. This is one of the largest of 



£01 



