Fish and Fishing 



rience may be relied on to furnish tackle that 



suffices. But tastes differ somewhat, both as to 



^ . . length of rod and thickness of line: those 

 Tackle 



inclined to be humanly reasonable use 



longer rods and lighter lines; such a rod may be 

 7 2 feet long, having a single long tip and short 

 butt, made either of green heart, snake wood, or 

 noib-wood; the latter has come to be a favorite 

 wood among certain anglers, being firm, close, 

 and of elastic fibre, yet remarkably light. The 

 standard tarpon rod of split bamboo, 7 feet 

 long, weighing 26 ounces, has been known 

 to take a 600-pound fish. Of course, the diffi- 

 culties in landing large fish increase with the length 

 of the rod; it is wise to possess two or more rods 

 (if the angler's pockets are deep enough), and 

 they should be kept in a stiff leather case made 

 for the purpose. For such fishing it would be 

 the height of absurdity to use a common or 

 cheap reel. Twenty-five dollars up to $60, 

 is none too much to pay, and it must hold 600 feet 

 of wet No. 21 Cuttyhunk line, or good linen of 

 equivalent size. It should be fitted with a good drag 

 and have a leather or rubber thumb pad (former 

 preferred), fastened to the crossbar to press against 



the line. In the matter of lines the angler 

 Line . . . 



will do well to have several of various sizes, 



the novice beginning with No. 25; as he becomes 



expert he can use No. 21. Skilful anglers have 



taken the largest fish on No. 18, which is as light 



as possible, with safety. These lines cost from 



$3 to $4. 



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