Fishing in Southern California 



appliance for the capture of the great game fishes of 

 the region. 



The peculiarity of this Californian angling is the 

 large size of the fish, their great numbers, the remark- 

 able equipment for the accommodation of anglers 

 the boatmen being provided with the best rods, lines 

 and reels and finally the climatic conditions, which 

 afford the angler pleasant weather, without storms, 

 from May to November. The tuna is the tarpon of 

 the Pacific Coast, and is caught only at this island, 

 between Avalon Bay and Long Point, a distance of 

 about five miles. It is an oceanic fish, which explains 

 its absence from the mainland shores. The season 

 is from June to August. 



Tuna rods are not less than six feet nine inches, 

 and often seven or eight feet in length; the line not 

 over 24-thread; the tip of the rod, or that portion 

 from reel seat to tip does not weigh more than six- 

 teen ounces. The fishes are divided into classes. The 

 black sea bass, swordfish, and leaping tuna are taken 

 on heavy tackle, but for all others anglers fish with 

 a rod, the tip of which weighs but six ounces, and a 

 line so slight that it would not stand a dead weight of 

 over eighteen pounds, being what is termed a nine- 

 thread line. The reels are strong and good ; in point 

 of fact, cheap tackle is the most expensive here. The 

 boat is a large, wide-beamed yawl, with a diminutive 

 three or four horse-power engine, and there are num- 

 bers of small launches of similar fittings in the bay. 



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