ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 187 



CHAPTER IX. 



NEW SMYRNA. 



ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE MILES FROM JACKSONVILLE. 



New Smyrna is one of the oldest places in Florida, and for many 

 years was the only accessible resort south of St. Augustine. 



It is five miles south of Ponce Park, is on the Hillsboro River 

 and has all the advantages and facilities for fishing, in the very many 

 creeks north of the town, that Ponce Park has. 



In addition to the river and creeks to the north, it has many 

 creeks on the east side of the river, as well as on the west, for about 

 twelve miles to the south. 



The sportsmen use rowboats generally, and sailboats are not neces- 

 sary unless long trips are to be made. 



All of the fishes named at Ponce Park are caught here, many of 

 them within half a mile of the hotels, across the river and north and 

 south. 



At the bridge across the Hillsboro, less than a mile from town, 

 there is excellent Sheepshead fishing from the bridge draw, with hand 

 lines and rod and reel, or from rowboats alongside of the bridge 

 spiles. Fiddler bait, 15, 18, or 21 line, Virginia hooks. 



I think I am within bounds in saying that I have seen fifty men 

 and women fishing from the bridge on several different occasions. 

 On many days during the height of the winter season over 1,000 

 pounds of Sheepsheads are caught per day. Of course, many other 

 kinds are caught from the bridge, but the greatest number are Sheeps- 

 heads. Many people come down from Daytona to fish here, and at 

 the inlet, during the day and return in the evening. 



At Coronado Beach, opposite New Smyrna, on the ocean front, 

 Channel Bass are plenty, April to December, and a few at other 

 times, heaving and hauling, or with rod and reel from the beach. 



The beach is about two miles from New Smyrna, across the bridge 

 above mentioned and across the Peninsula. Oysters and Clams are 

 abundant around New Smyrna. 



