The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-10
HE TIMES-RICHMOND VA. SUNDAY JUNE 10

- VI. Inn biOulu tOt IL ne once gees
you the jig il up" The writer ma,
walked along the high bank OF such 3
stream az has been described, and ha,
seen drove of fine fellows WEIGHING
In slow, stately procession over a stony
bottom In four or FIVE feet OF water
Then he has stepped back from their
view. walked up stream 200 feet, entered
the water softly and waded with the nj.
most caution towards the coveted nrl,es
throwing bait or ny forty feet ahsad
without getting a strike. They Ind seer
him on the bank and Immediately made
up their minds that mischief w.s In the
air. When he returned 70 his former
post OF observation on the high bank thev
were swimming about in the same MAJ
with unrufled tranquility.
To capture the black bass. then VIM
must fool him. This is much easier ON
a cloudy day than in bright sunlight
The first requisite IL TO keep out ~
sight bush. or fence. or a tree. or
n growth OF tall grass may prove suffi-
Gent for concealment while fishing from
the bank Throw your bait gently. wheth-
or it be minnow, frog. crawfish. hellgrarn-
tie or grasshopper. Let II strike as near
~ as possible in the tight place the first
time. for too many casts In rapid sue
cession may create n disturbance fatal
10 success.
II there 4. a swift current Immediately
above the ground where you think your
prize is lurking, throw your bnited hook
u
tended victim Ia feeding he Will not fail
10 discover the proftered morse. and
II he likes It's looks he will! take IT.
The bait must be alive. and as a rule
minnow 1t should be hooked through
the front edges OF the lips. so that IT
may swim about freely. hsllgramite
should he hooked directly through the
body midway between head and tall In
order that he may squirm with some
caralfapoa natura a CruU0sl should
be hooked through the tai, as that is
where the bass seize him. Hook frog
through the hind leg and you
Will not hamper his natural mode OF To-
Remember that n bait that looks and
acts like nature is above all things es-
sential. Grasshoppers seem TO furnish an
exception. You can impale three or -FOUR
OF them on your hook in all sorts Of po-
stiOns. and the disorderly mass Of heads.
legs. wings. and bodies will prove very
temptng-if your fish happens TO be In
n mood for grasshoppers
For the bass always knows what ne
wants. His appetite is variable. his
taste capricious' and his whims unac-
countable. So II IS well, when fishing
for black bass. 10 provide n somewhat
varied bill OF fare, for you can never
tell whether lively minnow, sgulrm-
ing hellgramlte, a sprawiing crawhsh,
lltfle green frog. or a kicking grasshop-
per VIII prove the most killing bait.
II you are not experienced In fishing
for black bass, you may not know mat
they seldom take the bait with JERK.
II. when stlll-ishing, you see your line
slowly and steadily move away, give II
plenty Of slack. and let Il travel ten or
twelve feet The bass does not swallow
hts prey Immediately on seeing IL, but
adjusts IL I'm his mouth WINE SWIMMING;
Give him four or FIVE seconds ume' ana
then by a quick pull endeaNor 70 set the
hook In his law.
Having succeeded in this, keep cool
Your captive will make desperate hght,
once something VIII break Your rod
may snap, or perhaps twenty feet OF
YOUR line will part company with you
forever. Humor the fellow, keeping the
line just taut and the rod uPnght, SO
that its spring will accommodate Itself
to the lunges Of the struggling fish. he
will dart hither and thitner, tug Ike
n dray-horse. and resort TO all SORTS
of lodges in his struggles TO escape.
For the bass is a fish OF mighty strength
admirable pluck and many resources. In
these and other "gamey' qualities he far
exccls any other fresh-water fish. All
YOU can do is 10 keep him under reason
able control until he IS tired out. which
viii be in from FIVE 10 fifteen minutes,
and then You can draw him 70 you and
quietly nft him from the water. a fghi
with black bass IS a thrilling expert
ence. and most gratifying one II you
win the victory, when you VIII not d.
ways do.
The best tackle IS q flexible and springy
jointed rod weighing from nine to tweiNe
ounces a multiplying reel, 10 feet or
fine line. a nine-fOot leader and hooks on
smells The hooks should be small. Of a
size into the bend of which silver nVe-
cent piece will IT.
For lake fishing slow trolling is very
effective. Use the tackle Just described.
although the rod may be n little heavier.
Bait each hook with lively club min
now, or, al times. a small spoon or SPIN
ner at the tail end Of the leader may
prove attractive. Use a small sinker, and
row your boat very slowly-only laSi
enough 70 keep your bait from dragging
on the bottom From ffty 10 one hundred
feet Of line should be let out. Have plenty
Of Elack in readiness 10 give the bass a
little preliminary play when he fire,
strikes. Always keep cool and deliberate.
and do not be in a hurry 70 get your
subdued only by patience.
a critical point II when he is drawn
near enough TO see you. He viii then
take alarm and make Wild dash for
liberty II IS not AZ all improbable that
be will draw the tip Of your rod into the
event the struggle will be nj Its crisis
You may win and you may not: but you
probably vii n you have had experience
md do not lose your head. At any rate.
you Will have fine sport
Fiyhshing for bass is another story.
The fy-hshe7nan is an aristocrat and a
person more or less oQinionated. Hc
Ooks with coniescending scOrn on the
)lebean angler who uses bait. and has
positive convictions Of his own regarding
TT. For hy-hshng is an art and n
science. as well rs delight, and the
Utmost respect r. due 10 those who have
become expert in II.