940 
FOREST 
AND STREAM 
"Out! Out!! It Goes and Drops Where His Fancy Directs.” 
THE STRIPED BASS AN ANGLER’S PRIZE 
AN ARTICLE IN WHICH THE NOVICE AND EVEN THE 
EXPERT MAY LEARN SOMETHING TO ADVANTAGE 
By Leonard Hulit. 
S INCE the advent of the white man to the 
American continent the praise of the 
“striped bass” has been most insistent, and 
we have no reason to doubt that for centuries 
before, the red man was fully aware of its merits 
as an addition to his larder. But a strange cir¬ 
cumstance in this relation is, while so many of 
our coast fishes have distinctive Indian names, 
there is apparently none characterizing the sub¬ 
ject of this sketch. 
It is never what is known as a deep water fish 
but confines itself to the shore lines, visiting the 
rivers and estuaries, and ascends all these waters 
as far as tides reach and in many streams is to 
be found far above salt water limits. And it 
is here that the nobility of character of the 
striped bass weakens somewhat; he is on a most 
pernicious errand in these waters, for be it 
known he is a prodigious spawn eater and he 
follows the herring, shad and other migrants to 
the headwaters of the bays and rivers. 
With proper endeavor and tackle the bass may 
be taken in all these waters and gives delightful 
sport, but it would require a greater article than 
this to describe in detail the modus operandi of 
all pursuits of this favorite of the anglers’ game. 
Surf fishing for striped bass has grown to 
enormous proportions within the past two de¬ 
cades, and there is perhaps no better field for 
this pastime than the New Jersey coast, for it 
is here where the man of moderate means may 
enjoy this king of sports without being crowded 
from the most desirable points by the influence 
of expensive clubs or other objectionable feat¬ 
ures. More than a quarter of a century has 
been spent by me whenever the time could be 
spared, in pursuit of and in studying the haunts 
and habits of our coast line fishes, and I can 
say I have visited most of the waters between 
the great lakes and the Gulf of Mexico and am 
familiar with most of the fishes of these waters. 
There is none, in my opinion, which, when all 
points are considered, affords finer sport than 
the striped bass, taken under proper conditions 
from the beach direct. 
Neither is there any fish more uncertain. This 
is well known to the one of experience, and 
must be learned by the novice; even when abun¬ 
dant along shore a whole season may be spent 
in earnest endeavor without reward, and again; 
the first hour may produce results. 
As this article is devoted exclusively to surf 
fishing the tackle essential to the proper con¬ 
duct of the sport is perhaps one of the most im¬ 
portant considerations. This should always be 
of first quality grade, not necessarily the most 
expensive, but essentially practically good. The 
rod should be hand-made. And while there are 
several woods which make a good rod experience 
has proven that well selected greenheart is per¬ 
haps the best of them all, as it has a resiliency 
possessed by none other and if properly cared 
for will last for years. 
Many fishermen, however, now use the split 
bamboo surf rod and it must be said that if 
properly calipered and balanced it is very desira¬ 
ble as it is lighter in weight and very active in 
service. There is but one type of rod now in 
use, namely, the one-piece rod. This consists of 
a single tip with butt which should be from 20 
inches to 26 inches in length and preferably cork 
covered. This always gives a good, secure grip 
no matter if wet, and is of great advantage. A 
strong favorite with a number of people is what 
is known as the spring butt. It is plain finish, 
turned quite light in the centre and from 26 
inches to 32 inches in length. This is claimed 
to give advantage in casting; but it is at all 
times tiresome to reach to the reel when at 
rest, and in its extreme length is not to be 
recommended to the novice. 
The tip or rod proper is, of course, the im¬ 
portant part; this, as before stated, should be 
made of the best material, and nicely balanced, 
and its length should be governed somewhat by 
the height. If too short there is not the spring 
necessary and if too long it cannot be properly 
manipulated. A tip of from 5 feet 9 inches to 
6 feet in length will serve all purposes. 
The reel, that all important part of the equip¬ 
ment, should never be less than what is known 
as 2-0. This will hold 600 feet of 15-thread 
line, and give entire satisfaction. The 3-0 is 
used by many. It will hold 900 feet of the same 
size line, but it is to be doubted if in this class 
of fishing it has any points of superiority over 
the 2-0 size. 
There are several makes of surf reels which 
can be classed as good. As a matter of fact 
most reels, when put to the test in this class of 
work, do not stand up; so I would say to the 
beginner, consult the man of experience in the 
selection of tackle. From him you can learn 
more practical ideas than from all the cata¬ 
logues yet printed, and never, after having se¬ 
cured advice, accept from the salesman the “just 
as good” variety, as that class of goods always 
bear the best margin of profit except to the 
user. 
When it. is understood that this class of fish¬ 
ing imposes the most strenuous requirements 
upon both rod and reel it is then easier to accept 
the advice to buy the very best that the purse 
will allow. The reel should be of rubber and 
German silver of nice adjustment and free run- 
