Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-04
THE KING OF INDIANA FISHES.
The Black Bass is Shrewd and Gamy
How to Catch Him.

4uS o1dCh 0dSS 10 o41ACWo dAu Manly
How to Catch Him.
rroh, the indianapolis News.
The black bass is the king of fishes in In
diana streams. 1t frequents clear waters,
especially those with some current. is con-
stitutionaliy opposed to mud, is dainty and
epicurean in its choice of bait and Is one
of the gamest of all fishes.
Local fishermen award the palm to the
small mouth bass as a game fish. Hen
shall thinks that where both species-the
small mouth and the large mouth-inhabit
the same waters they are equally game.
The largest bass of either species are not
necessarily the hardest fighters On the
contrary, bass OF two or two and half
pounds weight will usually make a harder
fight than one of twice the size. Under the
same conditions the large mouth bass
grows to larger size than the small
mouth. but 1t does not follow that mere age
or weight develops fighting or staying quail
tiles in proportion.
The bass getc It's growth in from two to
three years. according to conditions. the
maximum weight of the small mouth be-
ing four or five pounds and of the large
mouth from six to eight pounds. though
there are exceptions to this rule.
The black bass Is strong for his size and
uses his strength very skilifully in his eff
forts to break the line. throw the hook from
his mouth or wind it around jagged and
sunken rocks or roots Sometimes he will
sulk and hug the bottom, defying all eff
forts to make him move. Then again he
will make a funge for the surface, leap out
of the water and with head erect endeavor
to shake the hook out of his mouth.
When he leaps out of the water. as he Is
pretty sure to do at some stage of the
fight. then look out. 1t is an even chance
that he will shake himself free. He always
leaps a slack line and when he fails to
eject the hook by vicious shake of his
whole body Che cannot shake his head
alone) he falls back into the water tail
first, and is off again like lightning.
In fishing for black bass with bats. min
now or other. the game is often lost by
striking too soon. In still water bass
generally takes his time about swallowing
bait even after he has taken it. and
moves off slowly with 1t in a leisurely sort
of way. Sometimes he will hold the min
now erosswise in his mouth and move of.
generally downstream. fifty or sixty feet,
before swallowing it. He seems to be play
ing with 1t, somewhat cat does with q
mouse before killing it,
To strike reel in while the bass is thus
leisurely moving off with the bait is to lose
him. In running water. especially at the
foot of rifle. they usually take the min
now head first. with a rush.
AS to the manner of hooking and play
ing bass an expert says: IF you feel
tug at the end of the line, draw the tip of
the rod away about twelve inches, which is
sufficient to set the hook. Do not jerk vfo-
lently. II the bass is hooked. raise the rod
10 an angie OF degrees ana keep II tnere
with the thumb on the reel. compelling the
fish to feel constantly the spring of the rod
If he is determined to have more line. re-
lease the pressure of the thumb sufficiently
to give line slowly and grudgingly.
When he leaps the Strengthening of the
bent rod will probably preserve a taut line
but follow him back by lowering the tip,
and at once bring the rod back to its first
position of about 45 degrees. Reel in the
fish whenever possible, and keep a tight
line from start to finish, giving and taking
line as occasion demands. When the fish
is exhausted. or near enough. place the
landing net beneath the surface and draw
him into 1t as gently and quietly as pos
sible."
1t is always dangerous to attempt to land
bass by taking hold of thee line with the
hand. as he Is then apt to make a lunge
and break the line. In any method of fish
ing for black bass ii is absolutely essential
to keep out of sight of the fish and make
as little noise as possible.
If wading one should keep as far away
from where the bass is supposed to be as
possible and il fishing from a boat 1t should
be kept in deep water and the casts. wheth-
er with fly or bait be made inshore or
about points. and shoals and close to
patches of weeds
Sometimes a big bass will take the bait
with rush that means business from the
start and settles the question of hooking at
once Immediately the little rod curves al
most to the breaking point. the line cuts
the water In a fierce zizzagging way and
the reel begins to sing. Away goes Mr.
him. Check him? At this stage of the
game you might well try to check a
wild bull. When he is little spent and
pauses to consider. then the real fight be-
gins. From that time on 1t Is nip and tuck
between the angler and the fish which will