The Albacore 203 
possibility of hooking one of these fishes at any 
time. A short phosphor-bronzed leader and an 
8/o O'Shaughnessy, a Van Vleck; or any similar 
hook completes the equipment. Trolling at full 
speed the albacore can be taken with a bone jig, 
but there is no pleasure in this for the rod angler, 
as before the engine can be reversed the fish 
takes nearly all the line. Sardine, smelt, or squid 
are typical baits, but the latter is almost impos- 
sible to obtain, and smelt is the common lure. 
The hook is inserted in the mouth, brought out 
at the gills, the point turned and thrust into the 
belly of the bait near the vent; when pulled 
straight, or “set,” it is almost concealed. The 
mouth of the smelt is closed with a wire fastened 
to the shank of the hook, or thread may be used, 
and the lure is complete. No sinker is employed, 
and each leader or snell should have two, if not 
three, swivels. 
We are now ready for the sport. The launch 
is sent slowly along, the speed being governed 
by the exigencies of the occasion. The boatman 
and gaffer sees the schools from afar, as the alba- 
cores leap from the water two or three feet, and 
follows them up. The strike comes, —a long, 
sudden, tremendous strain or jerk, which has 
