210 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH 



fishes to catch at each point, but I will try to indicate the most plen- 

 tiful, as well as the choice ones, at each point. 



Bluefish, Kingfish, and Spanish Mackerel, make their appearance 

 about November 1st, although a few stragglers, especially the Mack- 

 erel, are caught all the year round. The Kingfish never come 

 inside. 



Trolling with squids for Spanish Mackerel inside the Bay is fair at 

 times, but without any periodicity or regularity which can be reduced 

 to any stated dates within the season. 



The best catches are often opposite Cutler, about fifteen miles 

 south of Miami, and about half way across the Bay ; and between 

 Cocoanut Grove and Soldier Key, the former six and the latter 

 twelve miles distant from Miami, running to and fro over the 

 ground following the fish. 



A few stragglers are picked up all through the winter and spring by 

 parties going for, and coming from, a day's fishing to Bears Cut, Cape 

 Florida, or Soldier Key ; so it is well to always put out a squid going 

 and coming. I have taken them in the channel (called the canal) all 

 the way out, commencing within half a mile of the Royal Palm. 



During March, 1901, a large school remained just inside the outer 

 bar at Bears Cut for two weeks or more, and large catches were made 

 from it ; on one day a catch of 360, and another of 325, with several 

 smaller, the number brought to the Royal Palm that day being 

 between 900 and 1,000, all caught by sport fishermen. Many were 

 taken the same day by parties from the other hotels and boarding 

 houses in Miami and Cocoanut Grove. That school afforded fine 

 sport while it lasted. 



Usually, while outside after Kingfish, by putting on a Mackerel 

 squid you can take them. Sometimes when you strike it right, it will 

 pay to let the Kingfish go and catch Mackerel ; but you are apt to 

 lose a lot of squids, as they and the line being smaller will not hold 

 the Kingfish, who will often go for it. I am inclined to think the 

 season of 1901 was the best the East Coast has ever had for Spanish 

 Mackerel. 



Outside trolling for Kingfish, Amber Jacks, Barracuda, Scabbard 

 or Cutlass-fish, Permit, Sail-fish, Groupers, and the above stated 

 chance for Spanish Mackerel, and sometimes Bluefish, with squids, 

 red and white cloth, live or cut fish, red cedar squid, for bait, accord- 

 ing to the fish you desire to catch. Localities from Fowey Rock 



