FISHING TACKLE AND COMMENTS 



time the fish is behind the bait until the guide takes the leader. 

 If any repairs or adjustments have to be made on the rod, reel 

 or butt the angler himself must make them. The fighting 

 chair may be handled and your harness adjusted by someone 

 else. Otherwise you're on your own. Don't let the guide 

 manipulate the drag for you. On the way to the grounds test 

 this important mechanism yourself and get an idea of the 

 various degrees of tension that can be put on the line. If you 

 will listen to advice from your guide or the mate in charge of 

 the boat you will find it to your advantage. 



Above all don't let the guide or the mate hook your fish 

 for you. Many fish-boat skippers are so eager to have their 

 parties catch fish that they are prone to grab the rod and reel 

 and set the hook for anglers who appear befuddled in the 

 excitement of the moment. If your captain does this let him 

 catch the fish himself. You will have the enjoyment of watch- 

 ing him fight the fish and will learn a thing or two about the 

 strategy involved. The chances are, too, that neither the 

 captain nor the mate will interfere again. En route to the 

 fishing grounds rehearse what you are going to do, with your 

 fishing guide acting as teacher, and run through the perform- 

 ance two or three times. Discuss every possibility with him 

 and make sure everything is organized and that you know 

 exactly what you are going to do when the fish makes his 

 entrance on the scene. Don't fail to follow the captain's 

 advice from the minute you board the boat until you're back 

 ashore. Remember you are paying him to take you out, so 

 follow his instructions just as you would those of a doctor or 

 lawyer. Don't forget that he wants you to catch fish as much 

 as you do yourself. The best word of advice I can give a 



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