160 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH 



CHAPTER IV. 



LIST OF FISHING TACKLE. 



In naming the tackle for each kind of fish I give the size of the 

 line and hook to be used. Please remember, however, that in fishing 

 in salt water you cannot know "what you will draw," that is, you 

 cannot usually know what kind, or size, fish will take your bait. You 

 may be fishing for Porgies, small or medium sized Snappers, etc., and 

 a Shark, Ray, or other large fish will take and walk off with your 

 bait, hook and line. Usually, if fishing for small fish you should 

 use small bait, as you are less apt to get hold of large fish than if 

 using a large bait. You will have to use the size and kind of bait and 

 tackle herein indicated for each fish and locality ; and if your fishes 

 are larger, or smaller, than you want, you will have to change your 

 hook and bait to meet the situation the best you can at the time. By 

 using a medium-size hook you will be able generally to handle a large 

 fish if one takes your bait, and you can change your hook to suit the 

 case. On the "patches" and reefs outside, you should always use 

 18 to 21 line, and 4$ to 6$ hooks, hereafter mentioned. 



I advise that you provide yourself with the following tackle : 



One fishing rod butt with cork covered handle, patent lightest 

 weight reel seat, and three full-length good cane joints ; each joint to 

 fit into the one butt, but tapering to different diameters at the tips. 

 Butt to be ii-inch, inside measurement, one joint ^-inch at tip, one 

 T 3 y-inch and one /» T -inch diameter. The total length of the rod 

 should not be over seven feet. If desirable, you can have each of the 

 joints made in two lengths instead of one, which will be easier to 

 travel with, as the rod can be packed in a good-sized trunk, or can be 

 carried in a canvas bag. 



You thus have three rods of different weights and strengths, well 

 adapted to all the fishes of the East Coast, except Tarpon, Barracu- 

 das, Amber Jacks, Sharks, Rays, etc., etc., and the outfit should not 

 cost more than five to seven dollars, made of the very best materials. 

 If you desire to fish for the above mentioned large fishes, I would 



