184 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH 



Inlet. Seasons and fishes the same as at Daytona, with the addition 

 of some of the smaller varieties caught at Ponce Park mentioned 

 below. The fishing is done mainly from rowboats. 



A network of salt-water creeks begins here and continues on 

 south nearly to Oak Hill on Mosquito Lagoon, a distance of twenty- 

 two miles, which creeks in their windings form islands, on which 

 there has been a growth of mangrove bushes, which were killed 

 by the freezes of 1886 and 1895. A new growth has started, which 

 in time will cover the island, unless frozen out again. 



Beyond New Smyrna, south nearly to Oak Hill, there are islands 

 on both sides of the main river, which is there called the Hillsboro. 



Port Orange is very near good Channel Bass and Sea Trout 

 ground, as well as that of many of the smaller fishes; fine trolling 

 ground, both north and south of the village. 



PONCE PARK AT MOSQUITO INLET. 



Flag Station, Spruce Creek, two and one-half miles distant, and 

 120 miles from Jacksonville. 



Regular station for Ponce Park, New Smyrna, five miles distant 

 south, and 125 miles from Jacksonville. 



This place is on the peninsula (so called) on the east side of 

 Halifax River, and faces Mosquito Inlet on the south and southeast. 

 Here all the salt water of Halifax River flowing to the north and 

 that of the Hillsboro River flowing to the south enters from the 

 Atlantic Ocean ; the Halifax having three fresh-water tributaries — the 

 Tomoka, Smith Creek, and Spruce Creek,, the latter directly opposite 

 Ponce Park. 



Owing to the above conditions the fishing season here is longer 

 than farther to the north or south (until Indian River Inlet is reached), 

 with a greater variety of fishes ; and owing to presence of fresh water 

 there are vast beds of Oysters, many of them of the very best quality. 



The best season is from March 1st to December 1st, but during 

 an average warm winter it is very fair all winter. Quite cold weather 

 interferes here, as it does everywhere on the coast, except with a 

 few of the fishes. Nearly all the fishing is done from rowboats, and 

 within one-fourth mile, or even less, to three miles from the hotels ; 

 sailboats and launches, therefore, are unnecessary for this purpose. 



The fishes caught are: Besougas, Black Bass (up Spruce Creek), 



