324 MODERN SEA FISHING 



No doubt any of the ordinary spinning baits would attract 

 ocean fish, but they would have to be made enormously strong 

 to bear the strain, particularly of albicore, which is the most 

 sporting of ocean fishes. 



Again and again beginners in this branch of sport get broken 

 and are apt to attribute their loss of gear to sharks ; but it is 

 generally believed that sharks will not take a bait passing through 

 the water at a high rate of speed. The question of speed is, 

 of course, of some importance. Occasionally fish are caught 

 when the vessel is only going three and a half miles an hour. 

 Lieutenant Harston Eagles, of H.M.S. Tyne, had some excellent 

 fishing under sail off the east coast of Africa while sailing at 

 that rate, catching tunny up to 45 Ibs., large barracuda, and 

 a purple-finned sailor swordfish of 125 Ibs. 



But to revert to the question of speed. From eight to 

 twelve knots appears to be the most useful pace for our pur- 

 pose. Certainly, these large sea fish have no difficulty in seizing 

 the bait even should the vessel be going faster, for every one 

 who has made a voyage will remember how the dolphins, at 

 any rate, may be seen playing round the vessel, keeping up 

 with her without any apparent effort. Often large fish fifty 

 or sixty yards away will come dashing after the fragment of 

 white bunting and lay hold. Captain Howell's largest fish, an 

 albicore of 148 Ibs., was caught while the vessel was steaming 

 fourteen knots an hour through the Indian Ocean. 



With regard to the weather, calms and storms are almost 

 equally bad ; though fish may be sometimes taken in half a 

 gale. Best of all is dull, showery weather with a lumpy sea ; 

 but good sport is often enjoyed on fine days when there are 

 a few clouds about and a nice breeze. The best season for 

 ocean fishing depends in a great measure on the locality. Be- 

 tween Gibraltar and Port Said, where dolphins and bonito are 

 fairly abundant, the fishing js indifferent during the winter 



