188 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FlbH COMMISSION. 
Nearly every spot about the Santa Barbara Islands where rocky bottom is found may be consid- 
ered a fishing-ground. Red rockfish and fat-heads are found from close to the rocks out into depths 
of 90 fathoms, but they are most abundant where the water is from 15 to 25 fathoms deep. Some 
places are much more favorably regarded than others. Anacapa Passage is one of the best grounds, 
and can generally be relied on throughout the entire year. In the vicinity of Kichardson Rock is 
another good ground, and Wilson Rock is considered the most prolific spot about the islands during 
the first three months of the year. Between these rocks and the northern end of San Miguel Island 
red rockfish, fat-heads, and whitefish occur in considerable numbers in the summer, but during winter 
these species are more abundant about the rocky patches off the shores of Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, 
and Anacapa. The best ground for yellow-tails is in close proximity to Wilson Rock. 
The best season for fishing is during the winter months, when the winds are variable and gentle. 
In summer the northwest trades sweep down the coast, often with great velocity. At such times the 
fishermen resort to the northern end of the group, thereby receiving the benefit of a fair wind to 
Santa Barbara when a full load has been secured. 
Rainy weather affects the movements of both surface and bottom fish. Mr. Larco states that he 
seldom finds anything in his nets during a rainy spell, and long experience has taught him to resort to 
some other method of fishing during such times. 
The salt-water crayfish ( Panulirus interruptus) is caught in trammel nets and in small net traps. 
The latter are very much like the traps used by the boat fishermen along the shores of Long Island 
Sound and Massachusetts Bay for catching cunners. They are somewhat smaller, however, and have 
two iron hoops instead of one, to which the net is fastened. One is at the top and measures about 2 
feet in diameter, while the second, at the bottom, is only 10 inches across. They are placed 2| feet 
apart, that being the length of the trap. A wire cage about the size of a saucer is attached at the 
b >ttom and serves to hold the bait. The bridle, to which the line for lowering and hauling the trap 
is fastened, consists of four lines tied to the upper hoop. These lines are rove through a small piece 
of wood which acts as a float to prevent their settling down over the cage and covering the bait. 
When resting on the bottom the top hoop falls in such a manner as to fully disclose the bait. 
Mr. Larco’s boats are all carvel-built and with keels; they are open and have a wash rail, small 
deck forward, and lateen rig. They are about 25 feet long, 7 feet wide, have a straight stem and 
sharp stern, with the rudder hung outside. The accommodations for sleeping and cooking, as in all 
other boats of this class, are very poor. The fish are thrown into the bottom of the boat as soon as 
caught, and covered with seaweed to protect them from the sun. 
San Pedro region . — After completing a line of soundings and dredgings between 
San Diego and Point Fermin, February 4, 1889, search was made for a reported shoal 
off the latter place, but, apparently, it does not exist. Subsequently an examination 
was made of South Bank, which is described as follows by Capt. Tanner : 
It extends about 10 miles SE. by E. (magnetic) from San Pedro light-house, and is from 3 to 
miles in width. The depths increased regularly to 20 fathoms 2 miles from the point, and to 29 fathoms 
at the outer extremity. The soundings correspond generally with those of the Coast Survey chart, 
and the bottom was usually the same dark-gray sand; hut putting the trawl over, it frequently 
dragged over stony patches, on which kelp, sponges, bryozoans, etc., were growing. 
Beam-trawl stations Nos. 2938 to 2942, inclusive, were on and about this bank at 
distances of 6 to 11 miles from Point Fermin, in depths of 20 to 47 fathoms. Mr. 
Alexander has reported as follows concerning Soutli Bank and the fisheries generally 
of this region : 
This bank is 3f miles wide and covers an area of about 30 square miles ; the good fishing-spots are 
confined to a much smaller area, however, being generally in depths of 20 to 28 fathoms. About twenty- 
five small fishing boats are engaged in fishing on this bank the year round. Flounders, red rockfish 
(called groupers locally), herring, bonito, mackerel, aud smelt are caught in their proper seasons. 
Red rockfish are taken during the entire year and are in greatest demand. Herring, mackerel, and 
smelt are caught in gill nets and drag seines, and frequent chiefly the shoaler water close to the shore. 
Mackerel are often trolled for, as in the San Diego region. Los Angeles is the principal market for all 
fish taken on this bank, a uniform price of 5 cents per pound being paid for all the species, except 
mackerel. The price of the latter fluctuates, according to the supply and demand ; 200 pounds of fish 
is considered a fair day’s work with hand lines. 
