FISHING THE PACIFIC 



long second dorsal and anal fins which are brilliant yellow in 

 color. Also, the true yellowfin weighs up to 300 pounds. The 

 presence of these two fins on the Allison is an insoluble mys- 

 tery. Why do they grow so long and of what use are they to 

 the fish? After extensive experience in fishing for both 

 varieties in both the Atlantic and Pacific I am sold the AlHson 

 is a species of its own. 



The presence of the AlHson tuna is easily discovered, for 

 they are wont to feed and play on the surface. Compared 

 with the number usually seen, strikes are not numerous. Birds 

 often betray the presence of the fish but a fast boat is required 

 to catch up with the school. Hawaiian anglers use different 

 varieties of their native feather baits made of bright-colored 

 chicken feathers and are particular as to the kind of feathers 

 and type of head of which the jig is made. On some days 

 these tuna are also taken on the traditional Japanese feather 

 jig. Double-header strikes occur frequently but two of these 

 fish are rarely boated at one time. In a depth of from 1 2 5 to 

 well over 300 fathoms these tuna have plenty of room to 

 sound, and when they do so exhibit a marked incHnation to 

 remain submerged. 



Allison tuna can be taken on 24-thread line with a 16- to 

 2o-ounce rod but I believe that 39-thread is more practical 

 when used with a 22- or 2 3 -ounce rod, unless the angler has 

 a great deal of time to spend fighting the fish. Feather jigs can 

 be procured in Honolulu and a light grade of stainless cable 

 leader is generally used with a 9/0, lo/o or i i/o hook. 



The silver marlin (western counterpart of the blue mar- 

 lin) is commonly caught around the islands. In fact easterners 

 declared them to be blue marlin when they first saw them but 



160 



