The Washington times., 1922-07-23
STRIPED BASS
INTERESTING
FINNY FAMILY
Migratory Fighting Tribe De-
serving Of All That Has Been
Scribed About Them.
BY r. A. ANGLER.

the striped bass. or rock, ap-
pears to be from the Gulf
and Lower River st. Lawrence 10
northern Florida, and there are
a few more or less authentic rec
ords of its occurrence in the Gulf
of Mexico. AS indicated by the
fisheries, its present centers of
abundance lie between Cape Cod
and North Carolina, where it
ascends all suitable rivers to
spawn and in the pursuit of food.
In 1882 and again In 1889 it was
introduced in California coastal
waters. where 1t readily became
acclimated and increased abund.
antly.
Abundance and Commercial
Importance.
The striped bass is one of the
best and largest of American ana
dromous fishes. Its meat is firm,
flaky and of excellent flavor. Ac.
cording to tradition. many years ago
it was very abundant on the New
England coast, north Of Cape Cod,
in the Bay of Fundy, on the coast
of Nova Scotia and the gulf coast Of
New Brunswick. In the United
oldIes HOItH VI Sdpc SOu' ~ Is now
comparatively rare, and in the Bay
far scarcer than in former years.
The largest striped bass records
were of several taken at Edenton.
n. c.. each Of which weighed l25
pounds. Individuals Of go and 10
pounds are not uncommon, although
the average is probably not over
or pounds, and fish weighing
only half pound are numerous
in the markets.
Habits.
The striped bass Is more or less
migratory and anadromous, but is
found in the region south Of Cape
, Cod quite generally throughout the
year, and it seems to be indifferent
as to whether the water Is salt,
brackfsh or fresh. 1t has been
kept in artificial ponds of fresh
water for considerable lengths OF
time without detriment. 1t is re.
puted to be a voracious fish, prey
ing largely upon smaller fishes, and
is particularly abundant at the
time Of the spring runs Of shad and
| alewives or river herring. At this
season it is we'll fed and plump. To
some extent II frequents the rocky
shores and beaches Of bays and
sounds, at high tide, in search of
crabs, shrimp and other foods, and,
at the mouths Of creeks, smaller in
dividuals lie in wait for the schools
of small fishes and crustaceans
which supply them with food. 1t
also subsists upon mollusks, sea
worms, etc.
The striped bass spawns late In
spring and early summer, ascend.
; ing rivers and their tributaries for
the purpose. The principal streams
on the Atlantic coast of the United
States are those flowing into Alber-
marie sound, Chesapeake bay and
New York bay. From North Caro-.
lima to New Jersey the spawning
time appears to be In late April
and early May; farther north in
late May and in June. The eggs
are very small. A 20.pound fish
was found to yield 800 900 eggs.
as estimated on a basis of IS 900
, to a quart.
An observer described some Of
the breeding habits Of the fish. to
the effect that when a female was
in spawning condition. the males
gathered about her in great mum.
bers. A single female which might
weigh from to SO pounds would
have around her 20. 80, or so small
male fish, all of which weighed less
than 2 pound each, and they seemed
to be the only males present. The
I water was stated to be discolored
with blood from the fish filming"
one another while contending for
the female.
Rate Of Growth.
The rate of growth is very rapid.
Young fish an inch long found in
the Delaware river in the second
week of June. about the middle Of
October were observed to have
grown to the length OF ~ inches.
Young fish 5 to inches In length,
which are taken in quantities In the
Potomac In February and March.
are supposed to be the young OF
the previous year.
The striped bass has been kept
in small pond of fresh water and
fed upon crabs and oysters, increas.
ing in about IL months from s
inches to 20 inches in length. II lie
stated that in a Rhode Island pond
a bass weighing " to l pound in
June, increased to a weight Of s
pounds in the following October.
As q Game Fish.
The striped bass Is a very popu-
lar game fish principally for surf
casting along the coast of southern
New England and Long Island
We are indebted to the Bureau
Of Fisheries for a good bit OF our
information on the rock fish. Mr..
| O'Malley, Mr.. Leech, and Mr.
Fearnow being most generous in
helping to enlighten the fishing
fraternity through this column.
"Kemper'S Charge"
"Kemper's Charge" a new feather
mtnnow on the market. is named
after none other than our own En-
kemper, organizer Of the Potomac
Anglers Association.
The feather lure Is described as
follows: Green head, red and
brown hackles, brown body, green
dorsal fin and red pectoral fin.
| This feathered lure, with Its
wooden head, Is the only artificial
bait on the market that has the
action Of an injured minnow.
Tide Table.
s,;nasv July ., ..ts High =, ,,tS Low . ~
716 pm. 1888 pm
| Monday, "a 1888 am. 143 am,
| es0e N m 2s n m