The Albacore 203 



possibility of hooking one of these fishes at any 

 time. A short phosphor-bronzed leader and an 

 8/0 O'Shaughnessy, a Van Vleck, or any similar 

 hook completes the equipment. Trolling at full 

 speed the albacore can be taken with a bone jig, 

 but there is no pleasure in this for the rod angler, 

 as before the engine can be reversed the fish 

 takes nearly all the line. Sardine, smelt, or squid 

 are typical baits, but the latter is almost impos- 

 sible to obtain, and smelt is the common lure. 

 The hook is inserted in the mouth, brought out 

 at the gills, the point turned and thrust into the 

 belly of the bait near the vent; when pulled 

 straight, or " set," it is almost concealed. The 

 mouth of the smelt is closed with a wire fastened 

 to the shank of the hook, or thread may be used, 

 and the lure is complete. No sinker is employed, 

 and each leader or snell should have two, if not 

 three, swivels. 



We are now ready for the sport. The launch 

 is sent slowly along, the speed being governed 

 by the exigencies of the occasion. The boatman 

 and gaffer sees the schools from afar, as the alba- 

 cores leap from the water two or three feet, and 

 follows them up. The strike comes, a long, 

 sudden, tremendous strain or jerk, which has 



