Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-02
ROD AND STREAM
BY Perry Miller

A reader Of this column says he has
been advised by the United States Blu
reau of Fisheries that this column
might be able to give him information
in regard to fresh water bass fishing
around Washington and vicinity. He
very frankly states that he is novice.
that he has done some fishing in noun
tain streams and in salt water, but Is
very anxious to become proficient In
the art of bait casting and fly casting
by the approved methods.
He puts the following questions:
/. Generally. what tackle is used for
bass?
2. What methods are used. bait cast
ing or fly casting?
8. What kinds of bats, spoons, flies,
plugs. ETC.?
4. Where are the bass found in the
Potomac, shallow water, reeds, lilies,
ETC.?
5. Where are the best areas for bass
and what are the laws governing same?
He says no doubt my questions
profess my ignorance. but, even so, !
am real enthusiast.
Instead OF answering his letter, his
questions are answered in this column
for his information and others who. ike
him. are beginners and want TO know
The majority Of bass anglers use q
rod and reel. Any sport goods store
will show great variety OF rods and
reels, running from moderately priced
ones to real expensive outfits. For the
beginner this column would suggest an
outfit costing not more than SIS.
Anglers use both methods, bait cast
ing and artificial lure casting. 1t all
depends upon the individual taste of the
angler. Many prefer to use minnows
and see the bass grab the minnow and
run with 1t. release it and then start
second run. 1t is the accepted theory
that the bass will grab the live bait
by the tail and run a short distance
with 1t much in the same manner as
q cat win catch mouse and run with
1t. The bass never swallows q fish tail
first always releasing 1t and swallow
ing 1t head first. 1t is then that the
large majority OF anglers make their
strike. because on the first run they
only succeed In pulling the minnow out
of the fish's mouth. Artificial casters,
those who use flies. plugs and other
kinds Of artificial bait. strike the fish
Just as soon as the fish strikes his lure.
and he has to be quick with his strike,
otherwise he will lose his fish.
In regard to the kinds Of bats used.
outside Of live minnowS, preferably
smelt for the big mouth bass and mad
toms for the small mouth. this column
again refers the beginner to the big
assortment of lures to be found in any
sports good store. They are too numer-
Gus to print.
The big mouth bass are found in the
deeper waters OF the Potomac around
Washington and In many coves and
ftSs1 hot an NHnS oy1G
ginia sides of the Potomac. At times
they are found In grass and lily pads
near the shore and at other times out
in deep water II they were not in one
place they will be In another. and 1t is
up to the angler to find this out for
himself. The small mouth bass are to
be found in the swift waters OF the
upper Potomac above the Little Falls
to the Great Falls of the Potomac and
from there to Harpers Ferry and beyond
and In the Shenandoah River and its
tributaries.
The laws governing the catching of
these fish briefly are: Cd A fishing
license Is necessary to fish In Maryland
or Virginia anywhere above tide water:
t2), no fish can be retained that does
not measure inches In length and the
bag limit In Maryland Is 20 and In
Virginia Is.
For the information Of those anglers
contemplating visit to New Jersey
salt water fishing grounds, reports
from the Jersey coast state that the
striped bass or rockfish seem some-
what shy about taking the surf anglers
bait. but the kingfish and weakfish or
trout are In the surf.
Wachapreague. Va. Is one OF the best
places in the country for channel bass
and large number of these fish have
been caught during the past month,
anglers visiting this place from all sec
tons OF the country. New York papers
carry stories about 1t week after week.