CATALINA 



beth Drag, probably the first of the friction drags, was the 

 direct result of injuries sustained by its inventor in his efforts 

 to take a tuna. 



These pioneers handed down their tackle regulations to 

 the present Catalina Tuna Club members, and the majority 

 of anglers who fish these waters follow them. The heaviest 

 tackle ever used is a 1 6-ounce rod tip with 24-thread line on 

 9/0 or 1 0/0 reel. This is heavy enough for those waters 

 because with two exceptions there have been no marlin taken 

 weighing over 405 pounds, and a tuna weighing over 100 

 pounds is a rarity. There also is very little chance of hooking 

 a swordfish that would go over 400 pounds, due to the fact 

 that it is harder to make this great fish take a bait in Catalina 

 waters than in any other spot. 



Catahna light tackle consists of the regulation 6/9 outfit, a 

 6-ounce tip with 9-thread line used on a 3/0, 4/0 or 6/0 

 reel. The last is the best size because it has a higher gear ratio. 

 The alternate tackle used is 3/6, which formerly consisted 

 of a rod tip and butt weighing 6 ounces, 6 feet over-all in 

 length and 6 ounces, including guides, wrappings and all 

 hardware— but the size butt is unlimited. 



This regulation applies also to 9-thread as well as the 24- 

 thread outfits endorsed by the CataHna Tuna Club. Striped 

 marlin in these waters offer extremely fine sport when taken 

 on 1 5 -thread line with a lo-ounce rod tip. Many anglers do 

 not feel they have had enough experience to use 9-thread. 

 Fifteen-foot leaders are the longest used at Catalina and they 

 are long enough for any fish one is likely to encounter when 

 fishing those waters. 



The Catalina Tuna Club has kept yearly member-catch 



135 



