The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-09-27
RARE SPORT.


BARNEGAT AMONG THE BLUE FISH.
The village of Barnegat is pleasantly
located on one of the most beautiful bays
on the Atlantic coast, directly east of Phil
| adephia. 1t numbers a population of
about one thousand souls, large proper
ton of whom are retired sea-faring men,
who having won competency have built
for themselves snug and neat cottages, and
live in great apparent comfort. 1mmedi-
ately opposite the village is Barnegat inlet,
which terminates Long Beach and beyond
that eastward is the broad Atlantic.
Taken altogether, Barnegat is pleasant
village, and not half so formidable place
for pirates as common rumor has reported
for years. The truth is, there is no truth
at all in the story about the pirates, the
inhabitants being fully as honest as the
majority of this worlds folk, and in all
respects very thriving, and disposed to be
extremely hospitable to strangers, at least
such was our experience.
Like many others we had supposed Bar
negat to be accessible only by long and
weary stage ride. Imagine our surprise
when, instead. we found the swift locomo-
tives carrying passengers over the Long
Branch road to the village in less time
than two hours when there is no delay.
Now, my dear Star, l have no axe to
grind, and nobody's but the good public's
interest and pleasure to serve. Therefore
! 7 ,c1y ia ha u
that of all the places along the Jersey
coast, Barnegat is to my mind the most
desirable for the fisherman. The Bay of
Barnegat averages six miles in width by
some forty in length, abounds in fine fish,
while outside is the Atlantic, equally full
of piscatorial attractions. In addition to
this, there is a large abundance of fast
sailing yachts, ofiicered by experienced
and obliging sailors and gentlemen, in
whose care you are perfectly safe and COM
Portable, and under whose directions you
can scarcely fail to catch fish, if you are
not absolutely unteachable.
We now take our first excursion. We
started with a light breeze at seven, and
| after trying the weak fish in the bay for a
little season, concluded to 60 outside,
where, if the breeze freshened, we might
chance to take few of the famous blue
fish. Passing through the inlet we found
there was not wind enough to enable us to
troll for these monarchs of the coast, and
we were compelled to try some other source
of amusement. Our captain sailed along
the flats above the inlet, and putting the
Eva's head to the wind, told us cast our
lines, which we did, soon learning, how
ever, that our tackle was too light for the
fish there. Fine rods were snapped in a
twinkling; cable-laid lines parted sudden
ly; Limerick hooks were broken, and yet
we caught but few fish. The fact was,
they were too big for us.
Just then the breeze sprang up, our blue
fish lines and squids were thrown astern,
and away we went seward. A flock of
gulls lowering over the water near the sea
buoy was our guide, and scarcely had we
reached them when it was the writer's
good fortune to land his first blue fish,
twelve FOUNDER, two feet nine inches in
length. This, as you may readily suppose,
was exciting. But it was only the prelim-
mary to several hours magnificent sport,
which resulted in the capture of twenty
four as fine fish as were ever taken into
the port of Barnegat, at least we thought
SO. They averaged at least seven pounds.
1t was our first bout with the blue fish,
and you can readily imagine how keenly
the sport was enjoyed, and how quickly
we concluded that weak fishing was bore,
and henceforth blue fishing alone had at
fractions for us. Unfortunately the next
day the sea was too rough for our little
craft, and we were obliged to content our
selves weak-tishing in the bay. We had
fair luck, taking between eighty and
hundred.
On Friday morning it was agreed be-
tween our party of two and Capt. Jarvie
Ridgway Of the Eva, that should the wind
and sea prove propitious we were to start
at daylight on Friday morning, and have
second venture with the blue fish. We did
not get away quite so early, but by eight
o'clock were within two miles of the fishing
grounds, some ten miles from Barnegat
village.
No sooner had we passed the bar and
the breakers, than we cast our lines, and
in an hour and a half had safely slowed
away twenty-six fish that would average
fully eight pounds, number of the larg-
! est weighed ten. They were IN much bet
ter condition than those taken on Wednes-
day, and need not say to you that the
sport was simply immense. l have no
other words to describe it. My compan-
ion, |. r. N, was literally beside himself,
and your humble servant was beside him
in that particular.
OF course there have been larger catches,
more fish have been taken, but larger
number for the time occupied would not
have been desirable. The breeze was
spanking one, the fish bit vigorously,
were of fine size and very gamy, and our
boatman was the prince of his craft. We
promised him a sllver-mounted squid at
starting provided he would enable us to
equal Wednesdays CATCH He didn't pro-
mise, but we beat that day, and Jarvie's
silver mounted squid will go to him by
express as soon as we can purchase it.
| would like to say more, but know
that your space is limited, and therefore
conclude by saying that the best fishing
on the coast is at Barnegat, whether it be
for blue fish, sheepshead, weak fish, barb,
or founders.