THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA. 239 



in that line. A minnow seine would also be desirable, as live 

 minnows are the best bait attainable for many of the best salt- 

 water fish, and few people there have any better arrangement 

 for catching minnows than with a "pin hook," which is de- 

 cidedly slow. 



A supply of first-class shark tackle should by all means 

 be taken along, for much exciting sport may be had hooking 

 these and other monsters of the deep. About fifty feet of 

 strong, half-inch rope, two feet of chain, such as is used for 

 halter chain for horses, to go next the hook for a leader, if 

 you please, and half a dozen large-sized shark hooks complete 

 the list. 



These latter may not be found in Chicago but can be or- 

 dered from the East. It is not advisable to depend upon get- 

 ting anything needed for the trip after reaching Jacksonville or 

 Cedar Key, for neither the goods nor the assortments kept 

 there will be found at all satisfactory. A couple of spears, 

 one large and heavy, suitable for shark, etc., and one smaller 

 for other fish will also be found a good investment. Most 

 residents and guides have these, but not in sufficient numbers 

 to supply parties where several wish to use them at the same 

 time. 



Each person or each party of two should take a small, light 

 tent, capable of accommodating two for camping expeditions, 

 and this should be provided with light muslin ends, thin 

 enough to admit the air freely, but thick enough to exclude 

 sand-flies and mosquitos. The ordinary musquito bar is 

 useless in Florida, for the sand-flies, which are far more 

 troublesome than the musquitoes, pass through it readily. 

 Each person should take a good heavy blanket, and will find 

 use for it almost any time in the year if camping. The cloth- 

 ing should be strong, but light, so as not to be oppressive 

 during the hot days that the visitor will experience, even in 



