THE basses: fres h-w ater and marine 



to 200 feet in length, from size F to size E, depend- 

 ing upon the weight of the bass, and with Sproat 

 hooks No. 2-0 to 6-0. The baits generally used in 

 the East are bloodworms, live minnows, or other 

 small fish, part of an eel's tail, or some artificial 

 creation such as a squid, spoon, or spinner with or 

 without the addition of natural bait. In California it 

 is customary to pay out seventy-five feet of line on 

 the flats, and about forty feet in deeper water. Here 

 also a favorite line is the 15- to 18-strand Cuttyhunk. 



The boat is rowed alongshore, especially close to 

 the margin of water plants, which furnish shelter 

 for minnows, or over sunken reefs or ledges of 

 rock, and near the border between rapids and the 

 deep eddies caused by intercepting rocks. It is 

 not necessary to strike the fish when a bite is felt, 

 but aUow it to hook itself and then play it carefully 

 and bring it to the gaff^ or landing-net. 



Heaving and Hauling in the Surf. — Heaving 

 and hauling in the surf with hand lines is a method 

 employed to some extent for striped bass as well 

 as for bluefish. Not much skill is required for such 

 fishing except in securing the bait to the hook and 

 in making the cast smoothly. The heaviest Cutty- 

 hunk line is required, and finger-mitts to protect 

 the hands. The bait may be spearing, killie, lobs- 

 ter, alewife, menhaden, eelskin, or any of the 

 known foods of the bass. The bait is usually 

 drawn rapidly through the water. 



306 



