CHAPTER II 



Popular Salt=Water Game Fish 



LEAPING TUNA 



If I were asked to mention the salt-water an- 

 gler's paradise, the reply would be, without hesita- 

 tion, the beautiful waters of Avalon Bay and the 

 Islands of San Clemente, Santa Catalina, and 

 Santa Barbara, on the California coast. It is 

 there, if anywhere on earth, the true angler may 

 see "high ideals in big-fish angling, and fair play 

 to the game." He may see "fishing for tuna, 

 tarpon, and the great black sea-bass, the trio which 

 are the tiger and elephant trinity of the angling 



world." Yet such monsters are taken 

 Fifh ^"^^ ^^ seven-foot rods, made in two 



pieces, and not Aveighing more than 

 tAventy-five ounces. On such rods, fish weigh- 

 ing 400 pounds have been played and gaffed, after 

 tremendous battles where both sides have equal 

 chances to win. There the novice learns his task 

 at a cost in new tackle that comes high. Even 

 the veteran, now and then, to save his life, lets go 

 a rod he fain would keep. Angling by such meth- 

 ods is but of recent date, according to the author- 

 27 



