220 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH 



SANDS CUT. 

 EIGHTEEN MILES FROM MIAMI. 

 This cut is between Sands Key on the north and Elliots Key on 

 the south. It is also called the " Aquarium," I presume because 

 there are so many fishes in it, and especially so many handsome ones. 

 In quiet weather the water is very clear and you can see the rock 

 bottom down twenty feet in many places. I have seen here very many 

 Angel-fish, Spadefish, Snappers, Groupers, Grunts, etc., etc. It is an 

 especially good place for large Mangrove Snappers and Groupers. 

 The best spots for large Snappers are in the middle of the main 

 channel about two-thirds through from the inside, and under some 

 mangroves on the north side just at the entrance from the ocean. 

 While fishing for the Snappers you will get large Groupers. 



The Grunts, Porgies, etc., run all over the bottom of the cut, but 

 rather the best place is nearly in line with the Keys on the inner side. 

 The cut is a narrow and short one, and very rocky and uneven, with 

 deep wells, holes, or caverns in the bottom. You will lose lots of 

 sinkers and hooks here, which is unavoidable, as you must fish on the' 

 bottom, and take the chance of your hook, sinker, or line catching. 

 I presume I have left ten to fifteen pounds of lead in this cut. 



On quiet, warm days you can get Angel-fish by fishing near the 

 bottom, not on it, with No. 3 hook, No. 6 line, strong double gut (not 

 twisted) snood, small long sinker, float, and Crawfish bait. They are 

 wary and will not bite freely, but will come up out of the wells, or holes, 

 sailing around your bait apparently undecided whether to take it or 

 not. Once in a while you will get one, but not many. They are 

 probably the most beautiful fish in the world, are very gamy, and a 

 fine table fish. In my experience they are generally an accidental 

 fish, that is, are caught while fishing for other small fish with rather 

 small hook. 



During the winter or spring of 1899, Mr. Edward P. Borden, 

 who was with me on a cruise, while fishing for Snappers and Groupers, 

 hooked a Porgy or Grunt. While reeling him in a Barracuda made 

 for the Porgy or Grunt, but did not get him. Mr. Borden made a 

 lightning change of tackle, baited with a Grunt, cast it out, and in a 

 minute or two hooked the Barracuda, and in a short time landed him. 

 He weighed twenty-five pounds. 



I very seldom give the "go by" to Sands Cut, but on every 

 cruise endeavor to take it in, going or coming. 



