18 SEA FISH OF TRINIDAD 
personal knowledge extends, incomparably the best trolling 
to be had, is during the months of July, August and Septem- 
ber, when the king-fish are biting off Cape La Pefia, the 
northeast point of that part of the Venezuelan mainland, 
nearest to Trinidad. It is quite possible, and even easy, to 
leave headquarters at the Islands at 1 a. M., ina good pirogue 
with four oars (sail to use if there is a breeze), at the com- 
mencement of the falling tide, and reach La Pefia at 6 A. M. 
You can then troll until 10 a. M., by which time you will 
have got all you want in more ways than one, as your hands 
and arms will tell you. The king-fish there average from 
30 lbs. to 50 lbs. and often larger; they fight very hard, so 
you must have strong tackle and a good wrist, not forgetting 
tough fingers. Leave La Pefia with the rising tide, and you 
can get back home between 3 Pp. M.and 4 p.m. The Bocas 
fishermen at this season go to La Pefia for a week or ten days 
at a time, camping out on the rocks, fishing, and salting as 
fast as they catch, often returning with 500 lbs. to 1,000 Ibs. 
of salted fish, locally called “tassard salé.”” This is eagerly 
bought up in Port of Spain for local consumption. 
Another good trolling ground from June to August is 
from the northeast corner of the Monos Boca, Pointe Rouge, 
down the Trinidad Coast, going eastward past Trou Tazar to 
Macqueripe Bay, for king-fish, mackerel and cavalli, but the 
fish do not run nearly as large as at La Pefia. This trip can 
be made in a morning, leaving early and returning for break- 
fast. 
The third fishing ground is round the island of Patos in 
the Grand Boca, belonging to Trinidad, but just under the 
nose of Venezuela’s latest port, Cristobal Colon. In the 
dry season particularly, fine red snapper fishing can be 
obtained on the banks there. 
TACKLE AND MODES OF FISHING 
Presumably, most angling visitors from the North will 
fish with rod and reel. There are two or three regular 
visitors to the Bocas from Port of Spain, who always fish 
with rod and get fair sport, but, although I have a rod and 
