The New York herald., 1922-07-23
6 OF ENGLISH, ARGENTINIAN AND II
SEA BASS FISHING
IN NEARBY WATERS
The Highly Priced Hump
Backed Species Is Now
at It's Best.
ny WILL WILDWOOD.


or all the allied branches Of the bass
family to be found In salt water near
New York city the sea bars Is by far
the most plaptiful. and although this
species does~not by any means equaf
either the striped bass or the channel
bass In average size or game qualities.
!. affords good sport during the season.
which Is now about at It's best. Many
favorable localities for sea bass are
within a short distance Of the city and
tho local fishing vessels reach the
grounds early, giving the angler time to
enjoy fine days fishing. Many sea
fishers 80 to the various convenient
places by rail- or by motor car, engaging
bcatmen at the beach.
As rule the sea bass found In num-
btrs near shore In the bays are smaller
~ average size than those In deeper
waters outside. but the bass of one-half
pound to three-quarters of a pound are
lively fighters for their size and ex-
cellent pan fish, hence a remarkably
large number Of sea fishers eagerly
seek them. At this season they are
abundant In Great South Bay, Jamaica,
Raritan and Barnegat Boys, and are
usually found in water not less than
twelve feet In depth. the best depths,
however. being from fifteen to fifty feet
Sea bass are bottom feeders, cleanly
In their food, live In clear water and
are generally found in deep channels,
where mussel beds are frequent. and
near wrecks or timbers encrusted with
barnacles, mussels, etc. Deep creeks
creeks having low. muddy banks and
shallow channels are not favorable fish
Ing grounds. There Is real action and
nc idleness in fishing for sea bass under
favorable conditions. and as the sum-
mer bass are not shy, the successful
flsher will be rewarded by q arEer
catch than In most other kinds of sea
fishing--for genuine game fishes
ravorite paits.
Favorite bats are the shedder crab,
clam and live killies varied, II need be,
by using shrimp and sahdworms. Sink
ers OF not less than three and one-half
ounces are necessary. and In swift tide
even six ounces. as It II important that
the bait be kept at the bottom The
vigilant angler keeps taut line, with
Two or three hooks attached. the lowest
about two inches above the sinker and
II there is nibble gives time for the
ash to take hold In earnest. the bass
making a spirited night for freedom,
especially II by good fortune II happens
to be a specimen Of a pound or more.
A little later In the season some of
the larger sea bass came In, and in the
open sea the great hump backed sea
bass are sometimes taken OF from two
to six pounds In weigh: 1t is In an
ticipation of catching one Of these big
fellows that the sea fisher angling for
sea bass finds the pleasures Of hope,
and as rule the realisation comes to
afo LIT tn~ -
angler. The large bumped backed sea
bass are much more shy than the small
specimens. and leaders are necessary.
the lower to be not less than three feet
lcng, and a heavy sinker of fve to ten
ounces. the hooks to be tied close to the
sInkers and should have very strong
SMELLS
Large. strong fishing boats are needed
for the open sea fishing. as strong winds
ard heavy swell of the sea are often en-
ccuntered and the angler should be pre-
pared for any and all Of the changes
and chances to be looked for. A skillful
boatman Is. OF course. very desirable.
not alone OH the score Of safety but for
his knowledge Of the wsys and means
OF successful fishing. The range in size
and style Of boats Is varied and the
scope and verge" should satisfy the
most exacting. but with safety first as a
motto. presumably most sea fishers pre-
fer the old reliable boats and men In
seeking sea bass or other salt water
fishes.
There is a we'll defined and character
istic game quality In nearly all species
Of the bass family, whether of the salt
water or Of the inland lakes and
streams. and in proportion to size the
sea bass ranks among the best OF its
kindred. the same being true as to It's
edible qualities.
The Hump Backed Season.
During the latter portion Of July the
run Of large sea bass-the much sought
snd highly priced hump backed species
should be near It's best in the well
fnown localities where these leaders of
their kind are usual to be found. The
iberia Wreck. the fishing banks off
Sandy Hook. the mussei beds Sff Long
Eeach. L. l.. the Good grounds near
Sea Bright. N. j., and the presumably
cool Kiondike banks. are all included
among resorts literally OF the first
water In fishing for big bass in general
and the hump backed sea bass In par
ticular.
OF late reports have been received by
sea fishers that the sharks and leaping
tina have appeared In considerable num-
bers among the sea bass In the nearby
Klondike banks region. to the disgust
and discontinue Of the many angling
for the latter species. and the adven-
turous coterie of fishers casting about
for the big game Of the open sea are
expected to get into action for the good
OF the affiliated as well as the unat-
tached anglers OF the North Atlantic
coast. The sea bass fishers will most
heartily welcome the advent of all shark
fishers to engage In a free 70. all fight
against the common enemy.