FISHES OF THE PACIFIC COAST 83 



THE MEDIALUNA 



This is a little fish, Fig. 36, rarely caught by the 

 angler because it has a small mouth and does not care 

 for the invariable sardine or smelt bait. It is found 

 about rocky points, as White Rock, and at four or 

 five pounds is as game a fish as one could wish, if a 

 very light resilient rod is used. It must be baited up 

 by chumming, and the lure must be crayfish or 

 abalone. 



THE OPAH 



(Lampris luna) 



The angler on these summer seas catches many 

 strange or weird fishes, which, while not game in the 

 strict sense of the word, add piquancy to the sport. 

 One of the rarest fishes of all seas, the opah, is occa- 

 sionally taken here. It is so rare that almost every 

 individual taken anywhere is on record. I recall four 

 or five caught near Santa Catalina, and one, it is said, 

 was taken off San Clemente with rod and reel by a 

 Long Beach angler. 



The fish attains a weight of seventy pounds. It 

 somewhat resembles a sunfish, with large eyes and 

 very small mouth ; its colors defy description. Its gen- 

 eral tint is pearl or silver, and over it a vestment of 

 old rose seems to be drawn ; its fins and tail are a most 

 brilliant red or scarlet. As to its habits nothing is 

 known. It is seen floating on the surface in summer, 

 and doubtless feeds on the small animals of the sea. 



