New-York tribune., 1896-05-31
SURF FISHING FOR BASS.
EXPERTS WITH THE ROD AND REEL ON
THE JERSEY COAST.

EXPERTS WITH THE ROD AND REEL ON
THE JERSEY COAST.
The season for bass fishing runs from May Is till
the middle OF October the Atlantic Coast. from
Maine to Cape Hatteras, and among those who have
followed this sport for years between Asbury fark
and Bay Head are several Trenton men. who have
fshed with a persstency and success that nave
made them conspicuous among shore sporsmen'
Bass fishing in the surf Is exciting sport especially
when the fish disposed to bite lively IL
doesn't often happen that the fisherman lands more
than two bass in day. and If they happen to DO
twe.ye-pounders or heavier they give the fishermen
work enough to tire them out before they are
brought to the shore
The bass ranges the coast, keeping close to the
shore to feed on the sand bugs" that are washed
out by the surf They lie with their nose pointed
inland close to the bottom, and ravenously attack
ANYTHING In the shape OF small crustacea. The pass
fisherman uses the "shedder" crab for bait. Tne
'shedder" crab s ordinary edible crao taken
at that stage when it is about to abandon the o!o
she'll The hook Is pressed through the haro she1
and holds the bait.
Frequently the surf fisherman stands for hours
in the tumb.ing waves without getting bite. but
when he hooks a fish the sport repays him tor Ms
patience thousand times. He wears ruoper Doo's
that reach to his hips, cose:y-fittlng coat ana
soft felt hat pulled we'll down over his ears WIN
his face set seaward and the waters rushing around
his legs he casts his line into the SURF, sendng IL
out at a single swing from 125 to $50 feet IL taxes
a good deal OF practice to cast line that iar, oe'
cause the pole is short and the snker weighs iio''
four to six ounces The bass fisherman taxes great
pride in his tackle. and some Of them nave poies
that are set with agate from butt to tip Inc ree'
is a very important part of the fsherman's outht.
These reels are large enough TO carry 60o teet OF
line and 1t often happens In bringing bass 10 ano
that neary every foot OF that line Is reeied OIL my
pole rarely more than six feet ions ana Is niauo
with two Joints The best poles have ancewoou , vs
aorf
Randpeces OF cork mounted with German sivss, ,S
which will In not s taTssn nen n"aed aed the hook is
to very strong gut leader swo a. a ~ sa5 lines q
nS GnF ree .sfr ro% SSfs s to s. essa way 'f0" ~
Interest in bass fishing was increased oy sensro. M
ciay for the use Of fishermen and he has & onerea ea
each year gold medal TO the fisherman od wdo o11
$s Sass Whaf 1s
they are locked d nd S With sy reares
hour Of shrewd and tiresome work to land hsn: ,h
Ms dns hs at Gas sss Is his s eye IS the s
and his hand on or tn, the sS ss aHy il sG 70
nsh Tafk seawa or sTs 10 tnS is S BY no ot
hauling by main strength 1t is "a. cSn,esa Inomasy ana
patience Of the fisherman. who is always fearful
that his line will snap under the strain, or tnas
the tricky prey viii manage to snake 'he h0'N '''
between Asbury Park and Bay aeSS s1
New-Jersey fshermen and some very heavy bass
have been taken from the surf at Point II sen
ton one of the best-known fishermen on the shore.
caught a forty-two- pound bass, and NOBODY mas
been able beat that record. william Sloke, =
member OF the Riparian Commission, has nsned IN
the surf at Point Pleasant for fifteen years, and IS
considered one OF the most expert fishermen who
cast a line in those waters. William s. Yard ex-
Judge OF the Court OF Common Pleas In spite OF his
advanced age, stands out in the breakers with the
Youngest Of them Avon and gets his share or the
game b. NJ Phillips. a Trenton business man, 10
an enthusiastic bass fisherman He has an ,,s ex.
reel that cost him s4S. William Bunmaker. a re-
tired builder. has fshed for years at Asbury Park.
Margerun has returned from his winter home In
Florida and is getting ready to get his line out at
Bay Head Mayor Emory Yard is a bass fisher
man OF about five years standing, and has become
an enthusiast over the sport. He fishes at Avon.
Occasionally Richard Reading, OF Lambertvlls.
who holds the championship for rockhsh catching
ant and puts Commissioner Coke on his mettle.