The Washington times., 1934-11-22

nothing about.
Over the past weekend, which
was almost made to order for the
trip, Col. william T. Chantland,
Miles j. Furnas and Jack Howley
journeyed ISL miles down Vir.
ginia Route II to Messick, where
they were met by Capt. Floyd Rol-
Inns. The grounds are 10 miles
offshore and around the now bare
pound net piling.
Fishing between three and four
hours both on Saturday and Sun
day they caught with light tackle
700 pounds of tautogs, weighing
from three to eight pounds.
To wind up a fine trip they
iced down the whole catch and
expressed it to Central Union
Mission here in Washington,
where you may be sure the fish
was more than appreciated. Or.
dinarily we are opposed to such
large catches, but our hats are
off to you, and we are with you
to the last fish, when they can
be used in this way.
Doubt Over Name
There is some doubt as to just
the right name of these fish. At
Messick they call them black sea-
bass. They are not. In different
localities the names run from
chegog to oysterfish, tautog and
black fish. They attain a size Of
36 inches and Is pounds. They
are caught all through the year,
with November and December as
the best months. The flesh when
cooked is firm, white and very
tasty.
If you want to try this fishing
call MeSsick, Va, Hampton 13 F
13 as to the weather before you
go down. Bait and everything
needed, except tackle, can be OBJ
tained right there.
With the exception of striped
bass at Piney Point, the only
close by fishing we have for the
rest of this year is in ponds, creeks
and coves where a knowledge OF
casting is necessary to really en-
joy the sport to its utmost. That
doesn't mean that this fishing is
closed to the anglers that as yet
have not learned how to lay out
q bait, but just knowing that you
have the knack and ability to put
YOUR plug in the most likely places
increases your enjoyment tenfold.
Even on the days when the tish
decline to bite the casting in itself
more than amply repays you Tor
the trip. Learn by all means. 1t
is simple and will add the zest OF
skill to that indefinable something
that is always present and adds
so much to ones peace of mind on
any fishing expedition.
Like Throwing Apple
Casting has been likened to the
boyhood trick of throwing an
apple from the end of a stick.
It is the same motion exactly.
The action is all in the wrist
with some help from the fore
arm. Hold your elbow close to
the body. A good trick is to hold
a folded newspaper under the
upper arm without dropping it
during the cast. :.
Standing with the left foot
slightly forward for good bal
ance, grasp rod so that the
thumb has a light but firm pres
sure on the spool and point the
tip of the rod at the target. AL.
ways keep the handle of the reel
on top as this gives more tlexl'
bility to the wrist. Bring your
rod back with a quick easy mo-
ton to about eight inches past
vertical and without appreciate
pause start it forward again
with a snap. At the same time
lessen the thumb pressure so
that the plug goes out and not
down. Don't mind the backlashes
you will have at first, for after
you get the natural action they
will disappear with practice. Don't
try for any great distance at
first. Be satisfied to stay at 2O
feet or so until you have mas
tered it and then gradually
lengthen your distance. Later on