800 



AMERICAN FISHES. 



So soon as the season is so far advanced that the shedder has re- 

 covered his scaly panoply, which sets his enemies' assaults at defiance, 

 the shrimp again comes into play, and, with the various kinds of small 

 salt-water fishes, constitutes the best river baits. 



For boat fishing in the bay, with sinkers — as for the Weak-Fish, 

 King Fish, and others, among which the Striped Bass is taken, the 

 soft clam is the favorite appliance ; and for this kind of sport full and 

 neapt tides, and a wind off shore, are the best periods. 

 ' In killing the Bass, after he is hooked, great skill, great persever- 

 ance, and incessant vigilance are necessary. It is a sine qua non to 

 keep him up, frustrating his efforts to rush to the bottom, and to hold 

 him ever in hand, with a taut line, ceding nothing to his wildest 

 efforts, except on absolute compulsion. 



Excellent tackle is requisite, and to preserve it excellent, constant 

 attention to it must be had, or all will be in vain. Nothing is more 

 provoking than to lose a fine fish, well played, and perhaps all but 

 killed, owing to some slight imperfection in the gut bottom or the 

 arming of the hooks, which care, before coming to the water's edge, 

 would have easily and surely prevented. 



Whether the Striped Bass has ever been killed by the fatal spoon, 

 I know not ; but I cannot doubt that it would be found nearly as effec- 

 tive as with its congener, the splendid Black Bass of the St. Lawrence, 

 to which I shall now proceed. 



