202 Big Game Fishes 
into foam, from May fifteenth to November or 
December, the fall fishing possibly being the best. 
At any time, but especially in the morning, the 
swift launches of the boatmen, with their gay 
tuna and other signals stretched to the breeze, 
may be seen in the offing, the two anglers sitting 
in the stern with rods out on either side. 
A typical equipment may be described as 
follows: the rod of greenheart, noibwood, or split 
bamboo; if the two former, to weigh about 
twenty-six ounces, as the-fish is often a sulker and 
has to be “ pumped.” The rod, if the angler con- 
sults his greatest convenience, is a single piece ; 
that is, a long tip with a short butt, and there are 
two long tips to such a rod, or better still, three 
— one stiff, for tuna, a second less so for albacore, 
and a third lighter yet, for yellowtail and white- 
sea bass. The rod has double bell guides of 
German silver that the line can be changed every 
day so that the rod will not assume a chronic 
curve in any given direction. The reel, which 
should always be lashed upon the rod, should be 
of medium size, to hold three hundred feet of wet 
number fifteen cuttyhunk line, which is tested 
to twenty-eight pounds, though some anglers use 
tuna reels and tackle for this sport, owing to the 
