212 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Apml S, 1890. 



The Stkiped Bass (Roccus Uneatus). 



SURF FISHING FOR STRIPED BASS 



ON THE JERSEY COAST. 



~JT\0 you ever catch anything worth your while so near 

 XJ shore as that? 



How often has that question been put to me when fish- 

 ing from the beach in the surf. To those who have never 

 tried this mode of fishing it appears to be a settled matter 

 that to catch anything is the merest chance. True, if 

 without previous knowledge you cast your bait just 

 where you happen to come on the beach, the chances are 

 decidedly against success; but knowing something of the 

 habits of the fish you wish to catch, you select your posi- 

 tion carefully, and unless the season and all the condi- 

 tions of weather and water are unfavorable, you will 

 generally meet with success, although most frequently 

 not up to one's anticipations. 



This most healthful and invigorating of all methods of 

 using the rod and reel is fast gaining in popularity, and 

 for those who have never tried, or who have done but 

 little of it, I now propose to give my experience, and 

 trust that the manner in which I put my ideas in print 

 will be clear enough to enable intending anglers to over- 

 come many of the annoyances to which they would other- 

 wise be subject had they to get their experience by actual 

 labor and outlay. 



Tackle.— Buy the best, which does not necessarily always 

 signify that it should be the most expensive, and having 

 fastened to a large fish you will have the satisfaction of 

 knowing that through no fault of your tools did he suc- 

 ceed in breaking away. A string and a pole will land 

 the small fry, but it is of too rare an occurrence to hook 

 a large fish, say from 20 to 401bs., to take the chances 

 with the cheap trash that has flooded the markets of 

 late. 



The Bed. — This is the most important article in all 

 your outfit, and, therefore, if your purse will not permit 

 of a rubber and German silver steel pivot of the first 

 grade, it would be far better to purchase a plain brass 

 steel pivot at about half the price than to throw your 

 money away on a miserable niekled affair or a second 

 grade rubber and German silver one; the two latter are 

 sure to be found wanting sooner or later, and in all prob- 

 ability just when most needed. Have one of sufficient 

 size to carry 600ft. of line with ease of the size sold as 

 No. 15, not that you will need that quantity, but as 400ft. 

 are sometimes necessary, it is well to know that you have 

 plenty of reserve when that big bass makes a bee line for 

 the coast of Africa at a gait that seems to mean business 

 for some minutes to come. And by having a large reel 

 your fish is more easily controlled, you being able to 

 gather in line more quickly than with a smaller one. 



A number 3-0 is a size much used, but a number 4-0 is 

 preferable: for my own fishing I find a 5-0 is none too 

 large, and for casting the metal squid it is unequalled by 

 anything smaller. Those who have cast for blue fish in 

 the surf soon recognize the great advantage derived from 

 the larger spool of the reel in not having to turn the 

 handle so frequently or so fast in order to keep the squid 

 as near the top of the water as is required. Bluefish are 

 not bottom feeders, and therefore a squid on the bottom 

 is useless. With a small reel it is next to impossible to 

 obtain the proper speed at which the squid should come 

 toward you, and if this is not obtained the lame arm you 

 have for your pains in tryiug to accomplish the desired 

 result may turn you from the sport in disgust. 



Before beginning to fish always see that the pivots are 

 well oiled; you may otherwise regret the experience you 

 will have gained in finding it stop short, and to all ap- 

 pearances never to revolve again. If from inattention, 

 or other cause, sand gets in, and this will quickly be 

 noticed the moment the handle is turned, take it apart 

 at once and clean thoroughly, or the best-made reel may 

 be soon ruined. It is a simple remedy, and as the me- 

 chanism is not complicated, also an easy one. 



Reels for surf fishieg. as generally to be found in the 

 tackle stores, are too wide between the plates, causing a 

 deal of unnecessary trouble in order to guide the line 

 properly on the spool to prevent bunching; they are to 

 be had narrow if insisted upon, and is there any good 

 reason why we should be expected to take our pleasures 

 as our fathers did when by calling for what we want we 

 can obtain an article infinitely better suited to our pur- 

 poses? Mine, although nearly 4|in. in diameter, is but 

 l-^in. between the plates. One experience with a reel of 

 this build is generally sufficient; the wider ones then ap- 

 pear awkward, and indeed are so. 



For the protection of the thumb in controlling the line 

 when casting I find a piece of oil-tanned rawhide far 

 preferable to the leather that is generally fastened to the 

 reel, because it is soft and somewhat oily, and will there- 

 fore benefit the line instead of wearing it. It is suffi- 

 ciently durable to last most people through a season, is of 

 small cost and easily sewn on the bar of the reel. The 

 objection to a thumb-stall is its habit of secreting sand, 

 which to many is a very disagreeable feature. 



Occasionally examine the metal band by which the 

 reel is held on the butt plate, to see that it sets firmly, 

 and thereby avoid the mortification of seeing the reel go 

 to sea upon making your cast. The larger the reel the 

 greater the necessity for providing against the possibility 

 of such a mishap. 



The Bod.— Contrary to the generally formed idea it is 

 neither necessary nor agreeable to use a "broomstick" for 

 surf fishing. The proper calibers are, considering the 

 heavy work required, smaller in proportion than many 

 used for bay fishing where a 101b. fish is a rarity. Where 

 the elements have full play and the bass run large, it 

 is of course desirable to be able to cope, at all times, 

 with the prevailing conditions; that cannot be done with 

 a black bass rod, but with proper skill it is astonishing 

 how a comparatively light rod can be made to control a 

 large fish and at the same time overcome the great addi- 

 tional strain caused by a heavy sea. 



A tip from 6ft. to 6ft. 3in. I find will give the best re- 

 sults; in diameter from J fin. where it enters the butt fer- 

 rule to Jin. at the tip, in one piece. To this one piece 

 joint add a short butt of from 18 to 21in. , according to 

 fancy, and you have a rod measuring over all from to 

 8ft. After years of this kind of fishing I have adopted 

 the 21in. butt as giving a better purchase and control in 

 easting; if you are of the average size in stature and not 

 too lightly built, you will find that after sufficient prac- 

 tice so as to become used to the rod, a longer cast can be 

 made than with the shorter butt, owing to the increased 

 leverage. 



Greenheart and snakewood are the most serviceable 



and at the same time handsome; they are strong, quick 

 of action and will stand rough handling without a mur- 

 mur; and fishing day in and day out, in a northeaster 

 with its accompanying rain squalls, does not affect them 

 in the least. Lancewood has not backbone enough, and 

 split-bamboo requires too much care; the latter is un- 

 equalled in its steel-like spring if of first quality and 

 make, as long as the weather is fair and dry, but for bad 

 weather, and that is when the largest bass are generally 

 caught, I have yet to find one that does not lose a deal 

 of its elasticity, and if not laid by soon becomes no better 

 than ordinary lancewood. 



i For one who fishes only occasionally and at the same 

 time does not care to go to the expense of a first-class 

 greenheart or snakewood, costing from $20 to $25, with 

 the two tips and agate tube top, a plain Calcutta male 

 bamboo is strong, quick and serviceable. For strength 

 and work endeavor to get the male cane; it can generally 

 be known by the lumps and indentures at the joints, they 

 being much more marked than in the female; it is as 

 strong again as the other, although apparently less so to 

 the eye. 



Jointed rods, and I refer to those which in addition to 

 the butt piece are composed of two or more joints, are a 

 delusion where much fishing is done, for when least ex- 

 pected they will break just above or below the ferrule, 

 and this will frequently happen without the first symptom 

 of a shaky spot having manifested itself. Sea water has a 

 tendency to rot anything with which it frequently comes 

 in contact, and as every cast causes a strain and more or 

 less of an opening at the spot where the ferrule and wood 

 come together, it thereby permits moisture to enter. The 

 moment the strain is lessened the metal closes over the 

 wet spot and the disintegration of the fibers commences. 



The guides should be large. Some use agate from an 

 impression that the friction is less than with those of 

 mptal; size for size that is undoubtedly the case, but agate 

 guides are always small, and therefore cause more fric- 

 tion than the German silver ones I am now using. Two 

 sets are all that are needed to a trip, those next to the butt 

 being fin. high and the upper ones fin. Through these a 

 knot will pass with ease. 



To prove the lessened friction put your rod to- 

 gether and fasten on the reel, pass the line through the 

 guides and out at the tube top; now, by putting enough 

 strain on the line to make it taut, you will see that the 

 line passes through the guides without touching them. 

 The abrupt angle caused by the ordinary guides is now 

 entirely overcome, and the reason of frequent over-run- 

 ning with its inevitable snarl is greatly lessened. 



To avoid the inconvenience in carrying a rod with 

 these large guides, they are made detachable in such a 

 way that to put them on and take them off is but a mat- 

 ter of a couple of seconds. 



Another angle to be overcome is where the line passes 

 through the tube top, and for this I use one £fin. in 

 diameter on the inside of the agate. 



By occasionally oiling the rod with a cloth it will last 

 longer and always look better. 



Lines. — Use nothing but linen and of the best obtain- 

 able; a dollar saved here is the poorest economy. Have 

 the line plain or natural color, as it is called; waterproof- 

 ing or coloring is of no advantage, in fact these pro- 

 cesses only tend to injure, either by weakening or pre- 

 venting the proper rendering. For fishing in this section 

 a heavier line is absolutely more necessary than would 

 be used down East, we having the sharp sand to contend 

 with, whereas there the fishing is usually done among 

 the rocks and off the bottom. Few have any idea of how 

 quickly the sea and sand will weaken even the strongest 

 line, therefore daily testthe last 10ft. especially, and throw 

 aside any part that shows the first signs of weakness. 

 The size generally used is known as No. 15, of eighteen 

 threads, but recently there has been put on the market a 

 line called the Belmar bass line, comprised of twenty-one 

 threads, that is nearly as thin as the regular fifteen thread, 

 and at the same time almost as strong as the eighteen 

 thread; it is superior, for the purpose, to any other line 

 obtainable to-day. 



The advantages to be derived from using a thin line 

 where the movements of wind and wave play such an 

 important part are so obvious that to be able to obtain an 

 equal strength with diminished diameter is something 

 much to be desired. This line will stand a steady pull of 

 about 301bs., and as no one can hold a rod, when fishing, 

 to near that, all the strength needed is to be found here. 

 To always dry your line after the day's fishing may seem 

 unnecessary for me to suggest, but how often is this im- 

 portant matter neglected until the next day, or the one 

 following, when you expect to have more time; by then 

 it has heated and the seeds of consumption are sown. 

 If at any time it becomes necessary to join the line use 

 the double water knot, it will hold well and the ends can 

 be cut off close to prevent fraying. 



Leaders.— Don't buy a tightly twisted leader, such as 

 are like a line in compactness and where the gut lengths 

 are put together by a splice. They are much weakened 

 by the process and the fiat gut not being easily seen, are 

 always weaker than they look. A leader composed of 

 four lengths, each length containing four strands slightly 

 twisted by hand, is the best, and although the breaking 

 point is much in exeees of any strain that will be put upon 

 it in fishing, it is desirable to ha re this reserve strength 



to overcome the chafing of the sand. With proper handl- 

 ing, even in a heavy surf, two strands of round and 

 strong gut are ample, but if these, or one of thorn, be- 

 comes frayed and the defect should not be noticed in 

 time, the consequences might be anything but agreeable. 

 A stained leader is useless as far as invisibility is con- 

 cerned, because on the light sandy bottom the contrast 

 becomes too marked. Four strands make ugly looking 

 knots where the lengths are joined, but when in use this 

 apparent drawback does not exist, as they then appear 

 as the pebbles of which the bottom is thickly composed. 

 In Massachusetts and Maine the leader is dispensed with, 

 the hook being tied by three half hitches to the end of 

 the line and the weight of the bait being sufficient to 

 cast; but as in these parts the bait is entirely too light, a 

 sinker has to be used, this is tied to the end of the line. 

 About nine inches above attach the leader and in order 

 that it may not twist too much upon the line, gut is the 

 material used ; it is comparatively stiff and stands off 

 from the line better than anything else. The advantage 

 of placing the leader about nine inches above the sinker 

 is that you are more apt to feel your fish before he notices 

 the resistance of the lead when moving off with the 

 bait; the chances of hooking are therefore increased. If 

 placed much higher on the line it is more liable to twist 

 and is also less handy to cast. 



Hooks.— Sizes equal to the 6 0 and 1-0 Sproat or 

 O'Shaughnessy are good, the former when the kingfish 

 are running. 



A poor quality of hook, and the stores are full of them, 

 is an abomination, for nothing is more discouraging 

 than to hook a large bass in the plate of the mouth and 

 find your hook come back either broken or bent out 

 almost straight. For driving qualities the Sproat stands 

 at the"head, but it is weak at the barb and bend ; the 

 O'Shaughnessy is strong enough for anything, the trou- 

 ble here is its liability to drag or tear along a hard sur- 

 face caused by the outward turn of the point. To over- 

 come these weaknesses I have recently had a hook made; 

 it drives fully as well as the sproat and has all the 

 strength of the O'Shaughnessy, it is hand forged. Bass 

 are frequently landed with this book driven clear through 

 the plate, more than that no one can wish for. 



There are times of course when any kind or grade of 

 hook will successfully hold the fish, but surely it is bad 

 policy to buy a poor article of such small cost at any 

 time, and more especially where the bass run of large size. 

 The snell that is usually tied to a hook of from 8 to iOin. 

 in length is a disadvantage, as it frays out long before 

 the hook becomes useless; so in ordering have them tied 

 with a short gut loop composed of four strands, slightly 

 twisted; this presents a comparatively unyie Id in or surface 

 and is therefore more lasting and better adapted to the 

 heavy work demanded of it. 



When through fishing for the day, rub your hook with 

 an oily cloth and it will not be rough from ruat when 

 you next need it. 



_ Swivels.— With the exception of the adjustable swivels 

 I know of none that will turn after being used for an 

 hour or so in surf fishing on a sandy bottom; they very 

 soon become so clogged as to be useless for the purposes 

 intended. Use nothing but brass. 



Sinkers. — Those known as "bass casting swivel sink- 

 ers," called also "swivel drop sinkers," are the most de- 

 sirable, being easy in casting and less liable to imbed 

 themselves in the sand than most other kinds; there is 

 also an advantage gained by the ease in which the surf 

 moves them from one spot to another. Three and one- 

 quarter ounces is the best weight, as it will serve under 

 all conditions of wind and sea. The objection to the egg 

 and the hollow or running sinker is that they become 

 filled with sand and soon chafe the line, so that it breaks 

 in casting, to the great danger of those in your vicinity. 

 Serious accidents have happened from this cause. Some 

 will say that it i9 useless to attempt to keep so light a 

 weight out in a heavy sea, but it can be done with ease 

 if you do not hold your line too taut, otherwise a 51bs, 

 sinker would be of as little service. With a somewhat 

 slack line the 3£oz. lead will move in and out with each 

 successive wave, and you can feel your fish just as easily 

 and at the same time be surer of having him well hooked. 



The Bod Holder.— This is one of the most useful arti- 

 cles in the angler's outfit where the fishing is done from 

 a sandy beach; it keeps the tackle free from grit and ob- 

 viates all risk of having it stepped upon. It greatly 

 facilitates the baiting process, as the rod is held in an up- 

 right position, leaving thus both hands free to manipu- 

 late the hook. The dimensions of mine and the material 

 of which it is well to have it made are as follows: Take 

 a piece of brass tubing 9in, in length and l Ain. in diame- 

 ter. One end should be made solid, to which screw in a 

 brass rod of the length of the tube and about fin, in 

 diameter. In carrying, the rod is unscrewed and placed 

 in the tube out of the way. When stuck in the sand it 

 is ready for use at all times. « 



Bait. — By all odds the blood or white worm is the most 

 taking, and although it may appear rank heresy to talk 

 against the luscious shedder crab of our ancestors, I have 

 caught and seen caught two bass to one on the former 

 bait. They are always to be had in New York in season, 

 and although apparently expensive, will do greater exe- 

 cution than twice their value in other bait. To keep them 

 alive is, however, no easy matter in hot weather, bat 



