The Taking of Big Game Fishes 



stretched. The bag should contain a brass drier, 

 upon which the line can be wound after using, and it 

 is well to reverse it daily, if in constant use, and exam- 

 ine for broken strands, as by these tokens the angler 

 shall discover why the biggest fish always escapes. 

 When a large fish does obtain its liberty it is either 

 from defective tackle or poor manipulation. 



In the selection of hooks every angler has his 

 fancy. The length and structure of the leader, 

 snood, or snell is considered an important feature by 

 anglers. It should be of tinned piano wire, six feet 

 long, with at least three large swivels, and the fish- 

 ing receptacle should contain a supply of tinned piano 

 wire for this purpose; or, better, a large supply of 

 ready-made hooks and leaders, a box of large swivels, 

 a few sinkers, a cork float, a pair of cutting pincers, 

 round and flat, a sheet of emery paper, a knife, small 

 patent oiler for the reel, flat file, extra guides, spool 

 of silk, a measuring tape, a little kit of tools packed 

 in the handle, a drinking cup, some simple remedies 

 for cuts and bruises, and the outfit is fairly complete. 

 The angler should have two rods, or a rod with two 

 tips what is known as a tarpon or tuna rod either 

 noibwood, greenheart, split bamboo, ironwood, or 

 lancewood. Personally I have used greenheart more 

 than anything else, and I believe noibwood is a species 

 of greenheart, highly commended. The rod for the 

 very largest fishes should weigh about twenty-six 

 ounces, and be six feet nine inches in length, and in 



in 



