180 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH 



CHAPTER VII. 



SAINT AUGUSTINE, THIRTY-SEVEN MILES FROM 

 JACKSONVILLE. 



The best season here is from March 15th, or April 1st, to 

 November 1st, and the fishes are the same as at Mayport. From 

 November 1st to April 1st the same fishes are caught, but in less 

 numbers. 



The best ground is in the North River, in the inlet alongside of 

 the jetties near the outside, on the beach, surf ''heaving and haul- 

 ing," or with rod and reel. In the river north or south of the 

 bridge, the north preferred, for Drum and smaller fish. 



From the Matanzas and Sebastian River bridges. At the latter 

 bridge there is usually very good fishing on the incoming tide, for 

 small Bluefish, small Spotted Trout, and Yellow Tails (the small, or 

 Mademoiselle), and occasionally a Channel Bass or Drum is taken. 

 Whiting and small Blackfish are very numerous, but run quite small. 

 Sheepsheads are quite plentiful around the jetties. The fishing in the 

 river is done from the sailboats, of which there are so very many for 

 hire, by the hour or day. Rowboats can be hired, but the distance 

 to North River and the jetties is a long row. 



A very pleasant way of spending the day at St. Augustine is to pro- 

 vide yourself with a cheap cooking outfit, consisting of a wire grid- 

 iron, frying pan, coffee pot, and cups and saucers, plates, knives and 

 forks, spoons, etc. Go to Corbett's and buy some Oysters, or you 

 can depend upon picking up all the " Coon " Oysters you will need. 

 Take one of the sailboats, go to the North River, or other place 

 recommended by the boatman. Catch your fish, land and cook them 

 with such other edibles as you choose, and roast your Oysters in 

 their shells over a wood fire. Oysters cooked in this way suit me 

 better than in any other style, but, as I have before said, "tastes 

 differ." Try it once and see what your judgment is. Oyster 

 roasts are quite a feature at St. Augustine from November to March 

 or April. 



At Matanzas Inlet, eighteen miles south of St. Augustine, there 



