CALIFORNIA 



with a pair of pliers so as not to have to handle the shark 

 when suddenly he discovered that not only the pliers but his 

 hand were in the creature's mouth. 



These bonito sharks are raised and caught while trolling 

 for mariin but a very long dropback should be allowed in 

 order to insure hooking them. If you are unsuccessful the 

 first time they will usually follow the bait to the boat in the 

 same manner as a mariin, but if they have ruined the bait and 

 another one is not ready and rigged, throw out any old fish 

 with a hook through its back and the shark is Hkely to take it 

 again. 



The majority of albacore are taken off San Diego by troll- 

 ing feather baits far astern (generally around 150 feet) or by 

 live-bait fishing. 



For this offshore angling the United States Navy unwit- 

 tingly provides an added attraction off San Diego. I have had 

 submarines dive within 150 yards of my boat and have fol- 

 lowed alongside their periscopes for over an hour before they 

 emerged. I have been in the midst of fast-traveling destroyer 

 and cruiser squadrons as they deployed in their weekly war 

 games while, overhead, naval planes from carriers were hold- 

 ing target practice with pursuit planes diving on the target 

 strung out behind the towing plane as if it were a long teaser 

 like that used to raise big fish. There is always plenty to see 

 while fishing and none of these man-made maneuvers bother 

 the fish in the slightest. 



There is a large fleet of boats that anchor and fish off San 

 Diego entirely for bottom varieties. Many small halibut and 

 flounder (called dabs) are taken. The charge per man for 

 passage in these craft is moderate and tackle is supplied. For 



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