FISHING THE PACIFIC 



angler must work hard every second to recover the slack 

 that is left to reel in while the circle is being made. When 

 fighting a broadbill with a heavy drag great care should 

 be exercised lest the surges he makes break the line— for 

 every time he lowers his head it puts a terrific strain on the 

 tackle. 



It is good strategy to hold the line out from the reel around 

 the grip in order to get the drag that way instead of using a 

 very heavy drag with the pilot wheel. Then you can let go 

 the line the instant the fish makes a move. 



It is amazing to feel the variety of gyrations that come up 

 the Une when you're fighting a swordfish. Probably the most 

 terrifying one comes when he is slamming the leader with 

 his sword, for then you realize that he may cut himself off 

 any second. When he hits it with his tail you can feel it 

 right down to your toes. Most of these fish fight to the finish 

 but when one is brought alongside be sure that the most ex- 

 perienced man on board takes the leader and the best gaffer 

 handles the gaff. A detachable gaff is very necessary for 

 swordfish as with all big fish. It is usually impossible to grab 

 one by the sword and hold on. A green swordfish can be 

 very difficult to handle alongside— easily the toughest of all 

 the big game fish. Regardless of what you read I've never 

 heard of anybody being seriously injured while a swordfish 

 was being gaffed or boated. Don't fail to tie up the mouth 

 before you lift him out— that is if you care to retain the 40 

 or 50 pounds that the food in his belly may easily represent. 



Commercial fishermen off Chile always gut their fish as 

 soon as they are boated and great quantities of birds gather 

 round while this operation is being performed. They never 



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