102 Bass, Pike, and Perch 



modification of the Henshall black-bass rod. It 

 is in two pieces, seven and one-half feet long, and 

 weighs eight ounces in ash and lancewood, or 

 seven ounces in split bamboo. It is stiffer than 

 the Henshall rod, so that a two- or four-ounce 

 sinker can be used with it whenever necessary. 

 A good multiplying reel must be employed with 

 black-bass rods. The line should be fifty yards 

 of braided linen, smallest size, with a three-foot 

 leader of single gut; Sproat or O'Shaughnessy 

 hooks Nos. I or 2 on gut snells are large enough 

 for bass up to two or three pounds. A small 

 float is useful on grassy bottom with shrimp or 

 crab bait, and sinkers of weights in accordance 

 with the strength of the tidal current must be 

 employed, also a landing-net. 



Shrimps, soft or shedder crabs, soft-shelled 

 clams, sandworms, small minnows, silversides, 

 spearing or killifishes, are all good baits in their 

 season. Shrimp is perhaps the best all-round 

 lure. It should be hooked under the back plates, 

 and a single shrimp is sufficient for small bass. 

 Shedder or soft crab should be cut in small 

 pieces. The scallop is likewise an attractive 

 bait, especially in the fall, when clam bait may 

 also be used to advantage. Early in the spring 



