Big Game at Sea 



and Santa Cruz bays, and from four to fifteen salmon 

 have been taken in a day by a single rod, the fish 

 weighing from ten to forty pounds. 



If the fishes of Southern California disappoint the 

 angler, it is because, possibly, of the tackle, as the 

 average visiting angler fishes with a stiff rod. My 

 own rods, which, of course, may not suit everyone, 

 are the result of experience: for tuna a greenheart, 

 or noibwood, single joint, weighing sixteen ounces, 

 about seven feet in length including butt. This is 

 much longer than the average, six feet nine inches 

 being the requirement. This rod' is also for black sea 

 bass; the line, a 2i-Cuttyhunk. For yellowtail an 

 eight-and-a-half-foot three-jointed rod is used, about 

 nine ounces in weight, not too slender, but pliable, 

 with a No. 9 line. For white sea bass (fifty pounds) 

 a seven-foot four-inch rod, two joints, pliable and 

 light, and the same line. This can be used for sheeps- 

 head and barracuda ; but for whitefish and ten-pound 

 rock bass an eight-and-a-half-foot light bass rod is 

 used, reel seat above the hand. All these rods have 

 cork or left-hand grips above the reel seat, and are of 

 greenheart. In thus adapting the tackle to the fish, 

 all its game qualities are put to the test, and the 

 angler has the supreme satisfaction of knowing that 

 he has accorded all the advantage to the dumb animal 

 which is affording him so much sport. The salmon 

 fisherman who has landed a fifty-pound fish may con- 

 sider an eight-and-a-half-foot nine-ounce rod a cruel 



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