io8 
AMERICAN FISHES . 
offered a prize of a camping axe for the largest fish captured during the 
season. In the company of Charles Hallock I visited the locality, and 
having a day to spare I entered the lists. Provided with a mullet for 
bait, I visited Ship Rock, and with rod and reel soon brought to gaff a 
Channel Bass weighing twenty-four and one-half pounds. This proved to 
be the largest fish of the season, and a few months later I received by 
express a nicely finished camping axe with silver plate and appropriate 
inscription. At one occasion at Homosassa I trolled with rod, reel and 
spinner, and landed fourteen Bass ranging from nine to nineteen pounds. 
From my own experience and such data as I have been able to collect, 
Channel Bass visiting the St. John’s River excel in size those of other 
streams of the State. 
During the summer months at the mouth of the St. John’s River, fisher¬ 
men wade in the surf, use a stout hand line, a heavy sinker, and mullet for 
bait, throw their lines beyond the breakers and capture great numbers of 
Bass ranging from thirty to sixty pounds. I have not heard of any one 
using the rod and reel in surf fishing, but am satisfied that if tested it 
would afford exciting sport. During the latter part of August, September 
and October superior Bass fishing can be secured at the shells opposite 
the old lighthouse at Mill Point and Shell Bank. Owing to the rapidity 
of the current, and the size of the fish, stout cable line or braided cotton 
lines with large hooks are used. At slack water, or if the anchor is raised 
when a large fish is hooked, a stiff bass rod, with a large reel and Cutty- 
hunk line will be found sufficient to bring these noble fish to gaff. Midway 
between Jacksonville and the mouth of the river is a deep back channel 
where there is but little tide, where large Bass congregate, and where a rod 
and reel can be successfully used. At almost any time during August, 
September or October the fishermen may capture during a day’s fishing 
from three to fifteen of these fish, and at times their numbers seem to be 
endless.” 
From the same excellent journal I quote the opinions of a New Jersey 
drum-fisherman : 
“ I fish for the Red Drum here from a skiff anchored at sea in four fathoms 
of water, a mile and a-half from the beach, and use the plaited cotton cod 
line and the Virginia drum hook, letter “ A,” No. 4. Use menhaden 
bait; anchor the skiff and chum as for striped bass. I believe a hook 
suspended so as to hang a foot above the sinker is most successful, though 
I take them also from the bottom. They are indiscriminate feeders, 
smashing clams and catching menhaden with equal avidity, but I think 
the oil of the menhaden attracts them from a distance, and the latter is 
therefore the best bait. I have taken them upon all sorts of cut 
bait—Lafayettes, weak-fish, etc. 
Brigantine Beach just now is level as a table, the surf breaking on it for 
several hundred yards. This is its normal condition, and it cannot now 
