Daily Republican., 1880-10-05
CAPE MAY LETTER.
How the Seaside Looks I'm Indian
kRmmAF Time.

Special Correspondents Of the REPUBLICAN,.
CAPE MAY, N. j., Oct. 8, 1SsO.-Rsd
drum fishing Is very active here now,
nearly hundred weighing 20 to 40
pounds each, having been taken dur.
ing last week, of cur hotsls, and the
Two and Five mile Beaches, with hook
and line, from small boats, about halt
mile off shore. They we're first dis.
covered by our market fishermen WHO
row off daily 10 catch Croakers. a pan
fish, about foot long, resembling d
white perch and which appear here
every Autumn. The red drum seized
the bait and being one of the most
powerful and game fish, snapped the
hooks or lines at first as they were only
sheep head or weak fish tackle, but on
using regular drum lines and hooks,
nea'l all ara captured. Thirty were
hooked the FIRST day ard only twelve
secured. Our merchants and business
men are nsw going out on schoonsrs and
are having plenty OF sport and hard
fights with the drum. They bite eager
ly at clam or little dog sharks as bait
and rush out rapidly with thu line,
whom looked, in every direction until
exhanied or drowned.
Capt. George Hildreth, Keeper OF
Life Saving Station No. 80 here, haF
secured q large number Of the red
drr m. They are excellent eating and
We saw one weighing forty pounds and
quite yard long on its way to the new
Columbia House being heavy load
for the carrier to get along with.
Usually they are caught from the beach
by wading in the suIf and swinging a
dipsy line beyond thg breakers, and on
hooking fish run sherewards and
drag him to land If not too heavy and
strong, in which case he will drag you
aeawards and If you get entangled in
slack line throw you down and drown
you. Last year gentleman from Phila-
dslphia fishing on Five Mile Beach was
served so and would have lost his life
bat for all from Mr.. Joseph Hands, an
experienced native resident who came
to the rescue and between them land
cd the fish, which proved to be black
drum Of over so pounds, far less fierce
and game than its red brothers and
much more abundant. Red drum are
rarely caught and their appearance
here now in such numbers is an un-
usual occurrence. Our people are
making the most of the chance.
The weather is very clear and
beautiful here now, cool but not chilly
morning and evening but warm during
the day. We visited Dsnizot's pier to-
day which as we'll as that OF Con-
grsss Hall still remains up, though
workmen have commenced taking up
the sea end of the former. A fine sea
breeze was blowing and the surface
of the ocean made rough by its force, q
surf breaking on the shore
and running landward in creamy foam.
A few persons continue to bathe, the
water seeming so warm as to appear
heated in contrast with the cooler air.
Quidots and Dsnizot's bathing paw
ilions continue open for customers.
Fish are caught from the piers daily
and few Sabbath breakers were TAX
ing them to day having few snap.
ping maokerel large enough for the
table, but only 8 or 10 inches long.
aoodies and creskers and little black
ish are also taken.
Last Sunday we saw the first flock of
Coots, wila duck Of little value and
countless in plumbers that comes in the
all and stays all winter. They are
rarely shot being tough and poor and
locks miles in length can be seen
about sun set flying along the ocean
'owsrds the bay but mile or two at
lea. We have watched them in such
,umbers that We estimate there must
% millions of them.
Columbis, sawyer's and Holienbart's
re open. CAPE MAY.