The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-13
FALL MONTHS PUT
PEP" IN SURF FISH
Skill and Careful Tactics
to Catch Kings, Weeks
Croakers and Drum.
CHANCES OF A CHG ONE"
NJ CHURCHILL nUNcERroRD.

NJ CHURCHILL HUNGERFORD.
OCEAN CIrr, N. J., Oct ia.-The fall
months with their dash OF cold put pep
In the migratory FISH. They are big
feeders now, preparing as they are for
their long journey to Southern waters
Tho Ocean City leach can DO re-
garded as typical of all the New Jersey
beaches south of Brigantine. 1t will
be noticed that there are numerous
openings in the outer bar Mt intervals Of
from ono to three city squares These
openings can best be observed when
there Is a fairly good sea during the
latter half OF the ebb. 1t will then be
seen that the waves that break over the
bar return their water to the ocean
through these openings.
II there has been long spell of fair
weather the openings are deep and the
IL there has been q recent severe storm
both bar and openings are at almost
the same level and It 10 quite dificult
to locate the openings.
Near, but not at, the ends Of the ISL
ands will be found a very decided vari-
alton In the arrangement Of the bars.
At these points the currents Of the In
let's terminate the lateral bars and
great eddies build one or more bars
that extend ut right angles to the beach
for considerable distance into the
ocean. These transverse bars fire.
ouently make large basins or pools. in
which the fish gather. but tho bars
themselves seem to be entirely oblit-
Grated by every severe storm. They
PROMPTLY return with the fair weather.
In fair weather the beach runs on a
slight slope from high water to a point
WHARF thu xrya n n hnff Aaov,
at low water. 1t then steps of abruptly
to a depth of two or three feet. This
banks forms the inner edge of the gully
and Is the point where the undertow
stops. From here the bottom Is nearly
fiat for from 80 to $50 feet Just before
the outer bar 10 reached the water
deepens appreciably, so that the most
water in a gully In found Just inside
the outer bar.
How to Locate Fish.
When the outer bar il reached the bot
tom steps up abruptly for about three
feet. This 10 tho highest part OF the
bar and from this point II slopes ocean
ward on true grade into about six
feet OF water at low tide. There Is no
gully outside the outer bar when there Is
a well defined inner gully. When tho
Inner gully Is nearly filled up, however.
another gully begins to form outside.
1t will be observed that the sand on
the bottom Of q gully Is in Jumps ard
ridges. As We approach an opening In
the bar We md holes that grow larger
and deeper the further out We go. We
also notice tho water does not usually
run out to sea through the opening at
q right angle to the beach line. as would
be supposed. but cuts out at O very de-
cided angle.
All Of the above characteristics Of a
beach have direct influence upon tho
fishing. Under certain conditions OF tide
and weather the nsh viii flock TO one
point or another. Early in tho season
tho habitat OF the flsh is quite different
from that of the autumn. Even a
change in the direction OF tho wind
vii cause the fish to move to other
feeding grounds.
It is not given to man to know the
vagaries Of the fish's appetite at all
times, or perhaps at any time. We have
all seen perfect days in the height OF the
season, when all conditions OF fishing
were ideal. yet the fish OF all kinds posi-
lively refused to bite, and again we
have fshed under the most discouraging
conditions. yet found the fish ravenous-
These things are beyond explanation,
In SO far as the writer's knowledge goes,
but the fisherman who lie well posted on
the habits OF the fish will, except under
the most adverse conditions manage TO
keep himself thoroughly entertained. TO
say nothing of bringing home all the fish
he can use.
Now as to, the general habits Of the
fish: The first fish to appear in the surf
Is the skate. who comes in early in May.
Beyond being the harbinger Of better
things to come, we have no further In
terest in this fellow. About two weeks
later come the big female doxfixh to the
beach, to give birth to their young. These
will run from four to fifteen pounds In
weight. with an occasional twenty
FOUNDER, and while anything but a game
fish they do give some satisfaction 10
the man who has been fighting a bad
attack OF fishing fever for six weeks
or SO.
Best Hours to Fish.
appear the black drum can be found In
the surf. They are seldom hooked al
first, because the dogfish are SO thick
but In the last week in May most OF
the dogfish have left, and the chance
OF picking UP these big fellows Is ex.
cellent for a period OF three weeks or so
Bait with shredder crab for black drum
Nothing else seems to I'LL the bill sc
well. although surf CLAIMS often prove
a killing bait Use the rigging OF hooks
and leaders as described In the article
In THE SUN of September 80. The hooks
are small for black drum, but the king.
fish and probably the weakfish are also
on the beach, and these provide much
sport and a heavy basket while wait
ing for the big fellows to come along.
It II a rule without too many excep-
tons that the big fish of all kinds stay
near the ends of the islands and the
smaller fish near the middle. Thus
North and Sixtieth streets. at Ocear
City, are the best places for drum and
channel bass. 1t will be further noted
that at these points are large basinl
fory,aa1 hxr tha an no aluaa a.