394. HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. . 
here in June full of spawn, which is not, however, found ripe during the shad-fishing season, which 
»xtends sometimes into July ; while in the fall they contain no spawn unless in the very first stages 
of growth. Bass sometimes attain a great size in Maine, though they do not appear to average so 
arge as farther south. The largest reported, weighing 1003 pounds, is said to have been taken 
some years ago in Middle Bay, an arm of Casco Bay, and specimens of over 50 pounds in weight are 
10t very rare,* yet the average weight of all caught is probably less than 5 pounds. Those caught 
n the weirs will hardly exceed 2 pounds. Those taken in gill-nets under the ice at Sheepscot 
Bridge weigh from 3 to 12 pounds, rarely 30 to 40. 
MoDES OF CAPTURE.—Bass of marketable size are caught in the spring weirs, but to no great 
axtent at the present time. The fishermen say that they are difficult to catch, being cunning 
snough to find their way out of the weirs. Four methods appear to have been specially employed 
for their capture: (1) Dip-nets, set under the ice. (2) Stop-nets, set in summerand autumn across 
the mouths of coves. (3) Gill-nets. (4) Hook and line. 
Dip-nets.—These were used many years ago in the mouth of Eastern River, Dresden, specially 
for bass. They were plain bags, 7 or 8 feet wide at the mouth, hung on a semicircular bow 
at the end of a large pole which was held in the hand, and were operated by pushing down 
through holes in the ice and resting on the bottom. As soon as a bass struck the net it was im- 
mediately pulled out. This fishing was done in the edge of the evening on the “dark” of the moon. 
As many as sixty nets were counted at one time fishing at that place. This fishery was discon- 
tinued in consequence of scarcity of bass, about 1850. In Winnegance Creek, just below the city 
of Bath, one winter a man who was spearing eels in the mud took, by accident, a bass. Nets were 
immediately brought into use and “tons and tons” of bass taken out.t 
Stop-nets.—The “stopping” of coves is a modern method. At high water a stout net, generally 
12 feet deep and of 24 to 3 inches mesh is stretched at high-water directly across the mouth of a 
cove, and kept in place until low water. Bass doubtless frequent such places for the purpose of 
feeding. They move very quietly and close to the bottom, and their presence is not easily ascer- 
tained till the tideehas left them. This method of fishing, therefore, proceeds entirely at random 
as to the presence of the prey. Sometimes it is entirely unsuccessful, and at other times great 
hauls are made. It was first practiced t by Thomas Spinney and John Marr, of Georgetown, who 
made their first attempt with salmon nets at Preble’s flats, opposite Bath, somewhere between 
1844 and 1848. On that occasion they took out 11,000 pounds of bass, and during that year 
shipped 52,000 pounds to New York. Another instance of a successful haul occurred at Butler’s 
Cove, an arm of Merrymeeting Bay, one autumn about 1850, on which occasion fifteen cart-loads 
of bass were secured. Eighty-five barrels of them were sent to New Orleans and sold for $8 per 
barrel. This method of fishing is employed irregularly, and no one appears to have been engaged 
in it in 1880. 
Gill-nets.—These are used, among other places, in Shgepscot and Dyer’s Rivers, above Sheep- 
scot Bridge, in the winter, under the ice. The nets used at this place are commonly 35 feet long, 
12 to 15 feet deep, and of a 4-inch mesh, furnished with ordinary floats and very heavy sinkers, 
costing, complete, about $4. In operating, a narrow opening is cut through the ice across the 
channel (whose width is about equal to the length of the nets, though quite deep), and the nets 
“Mr. M. B. Spinney, of Georgetown, who has made a business of fishing for bass with stop-nets, says that he once 
took a bass of 89 pounds, and another, which, after dressing, weighed 624 pounds, equivalent, he thinks to over 90 
pounds live weight, and of specimens that exceeded 50 pounds he has taken hundreds. Mr. S. is also the authority for 
the, capture of the bass weighing 1004 pounds. 
+Statement of John Brown. 
t{Statement of M. B. Spinney. 
