Surf Casting for Striped Bass Circa 1905

In digging through some materials on the history of bass fishing, I ran across an interesting little piece on club-house fishing along the Atlantic Coast. For much of the nineteenth and into the twentieth century, fishing clubs were a common site along the coast. Many of these club members pooled their money and constructed sturdy fishing stands from which they could cast even in inclement weather. The following selection comes from Louis Rhead, Ed. The Basses: Fresh-Water and Marine (1905):

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Club-Houses and Fishing-Stands

The substantially built fishing-stands, resembling the "pulpits" of swordfishing vessels, are a characteristic feature of the club properties on our New England coasts and islands. Stout planks and iron railings firmly bolted to the solid rock enable the angler to maintain his station near his favorite feeding-grounds, no matter how fiercely winds blow or surf beats against the shore. Clad in warm and waterproof clothing, and provided with all the needful appliances for the capture of his mighty prey, he braves the elements and patiently endures the long struggle for the sake of the highest trophy possible outside of the salmon regions. Blow ye winds! Roar, ye surges! The stout heart of the angler courts and defies your threatenings, for here revels wild life and matches its cunning against man's strength and skill!



A fascinating and intriguing way to overcome nature.

--Dr. Todd