ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 203 



ran up and down the above track with a launch nearly every day for 

 weeks. I have never trolled there all day, but have often caught ten 

 to twenty, with sailboat, in half a day, counting time from Poinciana. 



I have done well with rowboat, anchored on the edge of the 

 steamboat channel, just opposite inlet ; fishing only the incoming 

 tide for an hour or two. Cut Mullet bait, 6$ wired hook, 21 line, 

 rod, reel, and barrel float. 



There is usually fair Mangrove Snapper, Grouper, Grunt, etc., 

 fishing in the north and south channels, just inside the inlet. Anchor 

 rowboat in the deep or deepest water, rod and reel, 6$ hook, 21 line, 

 for the Snappers and Groupers, sinker, cut Mullet bait, bottom fish- 

 ing, no float; best time " last of ebb and first of flow." I have 

 done well there many times. 



I have never but once tried the " patch " fishing and then did not 

 do well, but I have seen some very large catches, consisting of three 

 kinds of Snappers, Groupers, Sheepshead, Mutton-fish, Grunts, etc., 

 etc. During three or four seasons the sloop "Robinson Crusoe" 

 made a business of taking parties out, not over a mile, anchoring over 

 the patches or reefs. In rough weather she could not go out, and 

 finally had to give it up. Parties can go out on very quiet days, now, 

 and do well. 



The next largest, but one, catch of Kingfish ever made by sports- 

 men on the East Coast was made here, the one illustrated in the East 

 Coast hotel literature. Modesty, and a little shame, forbids me to 

 tell here who made the largest catch. Very little of that has been 

 done lately, but the fish are there every year. They certainly run as 

 far north as Indian River Inlet, probably some farther. 



