238 



TROLLING FOR STRIPED BASSE. 



of from three to fifty pounds' weight, with a natural squid or 

 eel for bait. The line most proper to be used is a stout flax or 

 cotton line, twenty-eight fathoms long and about one-eighth 

 of an inch thick, the size of an ordinary cod line. The angler, 

 to troll properly, should have a portable seat (which should be 

 placed across the stern of the boat), and sit with his back to the 

 person propelling him along. The boat should be rowed gently, 

 and with the least possible noise, with muffled row-locks. 



The size of the hook is about the same as that used in taking 

 the ordinary cod. But how to put on the squid — by the way, 

 brother angler, did you ever see a squid ? If you have not, you 

 will find a pretty good portrait of him at the bottom of page 

 239 ; but should you see him in his living person, you will 

 never forget him. He is the most singular, odd-looking cus- 

 tomer that has its residence beneath tide water. His aze varies 

 from four to ten inches in length. 



" Gudgeons in rivers, dragonet in weeds, 

 Squid 'midst the rocks, in open water feeds.** 



He is not known to bite at anything, but is as good a morsel 

 for a hungry basse as a roast turkey for us of the fraternity at a 

 Thanksgiving dinner ; and is as hard to be passed by the nimble 

 basse as would be a gin palace by a regular toper. 



To attach him to the hook, procure a stout needle and a good 

 length of linen thread. This tie to the end of your hook's 

 length, which indispensable to your success, should have been 

 fastened with a strong winding of waxed thread to a piece of 

 cord of the same thickness as your line, and twelve inches in 

 length. Take off that calico spotted uniform that he wears, 

 and leave him pure and white as the mountain snow. Divest 

 him of that singular-looking transparent article called his back 

 bone ; now ta"ke your needle, with thread and hook attached, 

 enter the needle at the opening of the neck from which yon 



