FISHING THE PACIFIC 



PACIFIC SAILFISH 



The Pacific sailfish are usually visible behind the bait be- 

 fore they strike. When they hit, a normal amount of drop- 

 back is given, depending on the fish's actions. Naturally, 

 if he grabs the bait hungrily and rushes off with it, you do 

 not give him as much as if he were cautious about taking it. 

 My experience with sailfish off Panama was that they were 

 much easier to hook than those caught off the Mexican coast 

 and in the Gulf of CaUfornia. When these fish are biting 

 well off Panama they are never seen tailing, and perhaps that 

 is the reason they do not bite so well in the Gulf of California. 

 Then again, the dainty baits used at Panama are not easily 

 obtainable in Mexican waters. There the usual bait is a whole 

 mullet or flying fish sent from California and is unappetizing 

 by comparison. 



When the sailfish first arrive in Panama Bay or when their 

 migrations have begun in the fall, enormous schools of them 

 may be seen with their caudal fins protruding high above the 

 surface of the sea. When they are in this position it is difficult 

 to make them strike. At such times the regulation medium- 

 size feather is the bait usually employed for best results. 

 When a sailfish hits the feather you must never give him 

 Hne. Simply drop the rod tip and then strike immediately. 

 If he is allowed line the fish is almost sure to feel the metal 

 head of the jig or else the hook, and will instantly throw it. 

 I must say you can't blame him. With a cut or whole fish 

 bait he is much less likely to feel the hook. 



The average Pacific sailfish I have caught is a much better 



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