THE BLACK SEA BASS 



It has no hesitation in coming up under a boat when four or five 

 liaes are out, or to a wharf. I have watched it about my bait 

 in the deep green kelpian forests and on the side of the island 

 mountain of San Olemente, where it moved about coyly, glancing 

 at the bait from the side, as I have seen the gray snapper — one 

 of the cleverest of fishes — passing it by to turn and come back, 

 actiag with great caution. When convinced that there was no 

 danger it took the bait between its lips for a second, then dropped 

 it and went through the operation again ; aU of which explained the 

 nibbling I frequently had noticed at the strike, and showiug the 

 angler should not strike immediately, but give line until the bait 

 is surely taken. 



In fishing with tuna rod, reel and line, the boat, a launch, is 

 anchored, and the anchor rope made fast to a buoy, as there is 

 no time to hatd up. The bait is a live whiteflsh, or six or seven 

 pounds of albacore or barracuda. This is lowered to the bottom, 

 then hauled up three or four feet. When the strike comes it is 

 iadicated by the slow click of the reel ; the boatman casts off the 

 buoy, the angler slacks away five, ten or more feet of Une, and 

 does not strike until the line is moving rapidly away. Then he 

 gives the fish the ' butt ' with all his strength ; the response 

 comes in a terrific rush which with a hand-line would pull a 

 man overboard iE he held on, and on one occasion almost pulled a 

 light, one hundred and twenty-five pound skiff I was in, under 

 water. 



After several rushes the bass settles down iato a steady swim 

 out to sea and into deeper water, while the angler endeavours to 

 stop him by ' pumping ' and other methods he may have at his 

 command. There is a great difference in the fishes. Some will 

 tow a boat a long distance and defy the angler. Others wiU give 

 in soon. But the average fish can be taken in from a half hour 

 to an hour. When it reaches the surface the bass is generally 

 hors de combat and presents an extraordinary appearance ; but 

 it frequently makes violent rushes, tossing water over the boat, 

 and into the faces of the men. 



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