ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 231 



of the shore, in eight to ten feet of water. There is fine trolling 

 around Alligator Lighthouse for Barracuda, with hand line or rod 

 and reel, with a chance, also, of taking Amber Jacks, Kingfish and 

 Groupers. Run around the lighthouse, from 100 to 500 feet distant 

 from it, and to the east, to the edge of the reef. 



Mangrove Snappers, of from three to ten pounds, are very plentiful 

 immediately around the lighthouse, as they gather there to eat the 

 refuse thrown down by the keepers. Anchor your rowboat within ten 

 or fifteen feet of the iron columns, use only 18, 21 line, 6$ hooks, 

 with cut fish or Crawfish bait. 



After you have fished awhile the Sharks will come in for their 

 share, and will take your fish entirely or partly off. Professor Walker 

 and myself were there in April, 1900, having fine success, until the 

 Sharks one after another put in their appearance, increasing in num- 

 ber to fifteen or twenty, and in weight from 100 to 200 pounds. We 

 kept at it until we concluded we were in danger, as some of the 

 Sharks in following up our fish ran within an oar's length of our 

 boats, and some ran under them. Discretion was the better part of 

 valor, so we quit. Nearly all fish caught are returned to the water, 

 as there is no use for them, except a few for the boat's table. 



When I was there last the keeper in charge of the lighthouse 

 invited me to fish from the lower platform, some ten or twelve feet 

 above the water ; but I politely declined, as I preferred the boat. 

 I presume he will accord the privilege to any applicant. 



During our cruise on the "Manatee," Mr. Borden and myself had 

 good success around the lighthouse with Barracuda, trolling, block 

 tin squid, from rowboat. 



There are many Bonefish banks within two or three miles of the 

 Key, up in the Bay of Florida, among them, on each side of the 

 main channel to the north, between Upper Mattacombe Key and 

 Shell Key, in two channels between Shell Key and Lignum Vitae 

 Key to the west, and in the channel between Lignum Vitae and 

 Lower Mattacombe. Sand Crabs or " Sprites " for bait can be found 

 around the shores of the Keys. 



In the above I tell of Professor Walker and myself each catching 

 tiiirteeti species of fishes, and in my account of Biscayne Bay tell of 

 taking into the Royal Palm thirteen different species. The number 

 thirteen seems to be an especial angling favorite of mine. I have had 

 two other instances of its occurrence. 



