FISHING THE PACIFIC 



in my opinion, the important signposts for him to follow are 

 the birds. 



I only wish that all the readers of this book could have had 

 the opportunities I have had to observe all the wonderful bird 

 life of the sea on so many fishing grounds throughout the 

 world. I also wish that I could remember all the things I have 

 seen birds do, and the many times they have aided me in 

 locating and hooking fish. 



If the surf caster on either the Atlantic or Pacific coast sees 

 birds sitting just out beyond the breakers, it usually means 

 that there are good-sized fish in the vicinity and that the birds 

 are waiting for them to drive the small fry to the surface so 

 that they can have their evening meal. This is also a good sign 

 for the angler who is arriving on his favorite ground to troll 

 for albacore, striped bass, bonitos, or yellowtail close to shore, 

 or for the man who may intend to live-bait fish for the last 

 two species named. 



When anglers are trolling for any surface-feeding fish, 

 whether inshore or offshore, and birds are discovered be- 

 ginning to get active, it is advisable to start toward them but 

 not to go under them for a while until they really begin feed- 

 ing. There is a difference between birds that are working over 

 a school of fish or a flush of bait, and are really feeding on 

 them. When the birds actually begin to feed, the fish or bait 

 will usually be breaking on the surface and, when this condi- 

 tion occurs, you should troll right under the birds or around 

 the edge of the school if you do not wish to drive it down. 



The most spectacular diving birds I have ever seen while 

 fishing are the various gannets— whether off Nova Scotia, 

 California, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru or Chile— the booby bird, 



268 



