F.SHES OF 'iHE EAST ATLVNTK* COAST. 175 



may be considered a "fish story," but to do away with the improba- 

 bility I may remark that "M." had a man to bait his Imes and un- 

 hook the fish. Those who know "M." will receive his statement 

 unquestioned ; but to doubters I will say that my friend Dr. Lewis 

 of Philadelphia, stood by and timed our mutual friend *'M." 



II the fisherman is disposed to try conclusions with large game, 

 he can fish from the end of the dock and hitch on to large jewfish and 

 shark. A\ ith a boat and spinner large numbers of channel bass can 

 be captured by trolling. At this point "M." hooked on spoon bait 

 and landed a juvenile tarpon weighing thirty-eight pounds. 



By ascending the Calloosahatchie River above the islands the fish- 

 ormau will reach the home of the cavalli and tarpon. If the fisher- 

 man is disposed to lay the foundation for a camp-fire yarn, let him 

 provide himself Hith a harpoon spear, ]00 yards of whale line and a 

 staunch boat. By keeping his eyes open he will see devil fish from 

 fourteen to twenty feet in width sporting in the bay. They can 

 be approached and harpooned. If struck the ball will open, and 

 the occupants of the boat will enjoy a ride without raising an 

 ashen breeze. 



South of Punta Rassa is Estero Bay, where, in addition to the 

 small fry previously referred to, tarpon and sawfish revel in all 

 their primitive ignorance of fishermen, steamboats and artificial 

 baits. Those who visit this bay should not fail to ascend Cork- 

 screw River and enjoy the fishing, and deer and turkey shooting. 

 In this river tarpons, the silver kings, exist in countless numbers. 



At Gorden's Pass twenty-eight miles south of Punta Rassa will 

 be found a sportsman's paradise with fish galore; good oysters, 

 ducks, beach birds, deer, and bear. South of this point to North 

 Cape Sable any of the inlets, rivers, or creeks, will furnish unequal- 

 led piscatorial sport. From reliable information and actual obser- 

 vation, I have no hesitation in asserting that for number and variety 

 of fish, the lower Indian River, and many points on the southwest 

 coast of Florida excel any other portion of the world. 



In many of the interior lakes large mouthed bass and bream exist 

 in great numbers, but they afford but poor sport. After the first 

 effort the former give up, and come in like a log of Avood. In the 



