Big Game at Sea 



or strike on or near the surface, though the tarpon is 

 often taken on the bottom. In the black sea bass of 

 California and the black grouper of Florida, both of 

 which attain a weight of three or four hundred 

 pounds, we have examples of bottom fishes, though 

 I have taken them both in thirty feet, or less, of 

 water. The same tackle as described is used here, a 

 short rod being advisable, owing to the fact that a 

 three-hundred-and-fifty-pound fish is a terrific weight 

 in itself to lift. The black sea bass is a nibbler, and 

 will often " fool around " the bait, which is five or six 

 pounds, or more, of albacore meat, or a seven-pound 

 live white-fish. When the strike comes the line is 

 allowed to run over eight or ten feet; then, as it 

 comes taut, the hook is driven in with a strong, sway- 

 ing back rather than a jerk. The response is imme- 

 diate, and, with a hand or cast line, I have almost 

 been jerked overboard by a three-hundred-and-forty- 

 seven-pound fish. The rush is shorter than with the 

 previously described fishes, and the black grouper, 

 especially, is a wild and often untamable steed, tow- 

 ing the boat hither and yon, while a black sea bass 

 has been known to resist an angler for three hours 

 and tow him far out to sea. 



The great barracuda, which attains a length of six 

 or seven feet, affords features and incidents which 

 may be said to be between the extremes described. I 

 have taken it on the surface and in mid-water, and 

 found it a splendid game fish. The same tackle can 



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