FISHING TACKLE AND COMMENTS 



Only 3-, 6-, 9-, 1 5-, 24-, 39- and 54-thread are recognized by 

 the International Game Fish Association. If you catch a fish 

 on i8-thread line, it will be classified in the 24-thread size or 

 on 30-thread as 39-thread. For three reasons I would never 

 use anything but white lines. First, I do not want dye on any 

 line no matter what the guarantees are concerning it. Second, 

 bad spots and stains can be more easily detected in a white 

 line. Third, I do not believe the fish can see a white line in 

 the water as well as they can see a colored one. At least, the 

 human eye cannot. A white line is also more easily visible to 

 the boatman. 



If you wish to use a double line, it should always be doubled 

 for the length of the leader. The International Game Fish 

 Association allows a fifteen-foot double line and fifteen-foot 

 leader, when using 3-, 6-, 9- or 15-thread. With 24-, 39- or 

 54-thread you are allowed a thirty-foot leader. I never use 

 one longer than twenty-five feet; usually about twenty-three, 

 but the association is right in giving the extra five or eight feet 

 in case a mistake is made in the measuring. Then again, it is 

 ridiculous to attempt to catch with a fifteen-foot leader a fish 

 that weighs over 300 or 400 pounds and is eleven feet or 

 more in length. One wrap of the leader around its tail or 

 sword and you will have the double line at its tail where it 

 can be cut with one flip of that powerful propeller. It is 

 rather tough on the light tackle angler to have to use the 

 fifteen-foot leader when he is trying to take big fish on 6- 

 or 9-thread, but, as he is seldom after fish that weigh more 

 than 300 pounds, it is long enough. Besides, a leader of that 

 length balances the outfit— a good and fair rule. I have never 

 cared for or used tapered lines. The International Game Fish 



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