462 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
lines were soon over the ship’s side and fishing began. Mr. Larco and 
the writer went ont in the dingey to try for fish around the rock. Seven 
or eight trials were made in depths varying from 25 to 35 fathoms, but 
we did not meet with as good success as was expected by Mr. Larco. 
He had frequently anchored over the same ground where we were fishing 
and had loaded his bpafc in a few hours, but this was late in the season. 
Many trials were also made to the southward of the rock, where large 
numbers of whitefish generally feed in summer, and still our efforts were 
only poorly rewarded. The total catch was 4 red rock-cod, 3 whitefish, 
1 cultus-cod, 1 sculpin, 1 rock bass, 1 scorpion, and 1 black rock-cod. On 
returning to the ship we found the deck covered with fish. It had 
drifted but a few minutes when they were encountered in great abun- 
dance, every line hooking at once, and those who participated had keen 
enjoyment for 2 hours. Fishing began in 34 fathoms and was continued 
into 23 fathoms. The total number of fish taken was 555 : 481 yellow-tail 
rockfish (Sehastodes flavidus ), 49 red rock-cod, 1 cultus-cod, and other 
species. 
Yellow-tail fishing very much resembles pollock fishing on the New 
England coast. The former species will invariably follow the lines to 
the surface, and frequently bites at the hook just before reaching the 
ship’s side. Another peculiarity in which these fish resemble the pol- 
lock is that as soon as they begin to bite they swim up in the water, 
and more can be caught on short lines than on the bottom. After a 
few have been taken they will rise to within a few fathoms of the sur- 
face and dart in schools at the lines. They then immediately disappear, 
soon to repeat the same performance. 
Dredging was carried on during the afternoon and several black-cod 
were taken in the beam trawl. In the evening the ship anchored off 
Santa Barbara. 
February 11 was occupied in developing a small fishing bank which 
extends in an ESE. J E. (magnetic) direction from Santa Barbara Light. 
The WNW. end of this bank is about 5 miles from the light-house. Its 
length is between 2J and 3 miles and its width about 1J miles. The 
depth ranges from 26 to 29 fathoms, and the bottom is chiefly sandy, 
with many rocky patches. This inshore bank was at one time a favor- 
ite fishing ground for the few fishermen of Santa Barbara. Fish were 
abundant and there was always a certainty of obtaining full fares ; but, 
like most small banks upon which fishing is constantly prosecuted, it 
finally ceased to satisfy the demands, and for the past 7 or 8 years little 
or no attention has been paid to it. Since then the fishermen have 
resorted to the Santa Barbara Islands, which will, in all probability, 
meet their needs for many years. There is another small bank off’ 
Santa Barbara, the center of which lies about 3 miles E. J N. (magnetic) 
from the light. It is about a mile in length, NE. and SW., by one-half 
mile in width. The least depth upon it is 12 and the greatest 20 fathoms. 
It is covered with sandy and rocky spots, supporting a u live bottom.” 
