A GOLDEN GUIDE

FISHING

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A GUIDE TD

FRESH AND S

HING

MORE THAN

by

650

ILLUSTRATIONS
I N FULL COLOR

GEORGE S. FICHTER

a n d PHIL FRANCIS
u n d er t h e editors h i p of
HERBERT S. ZIM

Illu strated

by

TOM DOLAN,

KEN MARTIN, a n d
HARRY McNAUGHT

GOLDEN PRESS

NEW 'fORK

Western Publishing Company. Inc.

Racine, Wisconsin

FOREWORD
Fishing, one of man's oldest recreations, has never been
more popular than it is today. With i ncreased leisure ti m e,
more a n d more people are discovering the joys of this
"gentle art." And sport fishing is a n a rt, thoug h some forms
are far from gentle.
This basic guide to sport fishing is designed to g ive the
beg i n n i n g fisherman a proper sta rt and to be as well a use
fu l a n d i nteresti ng reference to a n g l ers of long experi
ence. It describes the pri ncipal fishes ta ken on hook and
l i n e in fresh and salt waters th roug hout North America and
provides information a lso about the tackle a n d techniques
for catching fish.
We a p p reciate g reatly the help a n d advice g iven by
our many fisherman friends and m ost pa rticularly by
Morrie Upperman, of Bi l l U pperman's Buckta i l s; James D.
Barhydt, of E. I . du Pont de Nemours & Co.; D . C. Corkran,
of the Charles F. Orvis Co.; Richard H . Davi m os, of Harri
son I n dustries, I n c.; Charles B. Dunn, Jr., of Southern Tackle
Distributors, I nc.; E. B. Maguire, of True Temper C orpora
tion; Rona l d J. Holtz, of James Hedden's Sons; G. G. Smith,
of the Enterprise Ma nufacturing Co.; and W. J. laurent, of
Shakespeare Co.
G.S.F.
P. F.
P HOTO C R ED I TS: Three lions, p . 4; A P A , p . 5; Michi g a n Tourist C o u n ci l ,
p . 1 30; F l o r i d a State N e w s B u reau, p p . 1 34, 1 35, 1 39, 1 49; Ed G a l l ob,
p. 1 38; Bertram Yacht Div., N a utec Corp., p . 1 42 (lop); Arkansas Pub
l icity and Parks C o m m i ssion, p . 1 42 (bottom); la r ry Koller, p. 1 44 .

Copyright 1965 b y Western Publishing Company, Inc. All rights re

served, including rights of reproduction and use in any form or by any
means, including the making of copies by any photo process, or by any
electronic or mechanical device, printed or written or oral, or recording
for sound or visual repro ductio n or for use in any knowledge retrieval
system or device, unless permission in writing is obtained from the copy
right proprietor. Produced in the U.S.A. by Western Publishing Company,
Inc. Published by Golden Press, New York, N.Y. Library of Congress
Catalog Card Numbe" 64-8043. ISBN 0-307-24008-8

C ONT E NTS
SPORT FISHING

FISHES ................. ..........

Its past a n d present.

Exte r n a l a n atomy, se nses,

q u a l ities o f sport fi s h . .
Sa lt-water fishes . . . . . .
Fresh-water fishes . . . . .

and
. . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .

6
12
48

NATURAL BAITS ....................

58

ARTIFI CIAL BAITS .................. .

66

F resh water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S a l t water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TACK LE AND ITS USE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

S p o o n s, spi n ne rs, p l ugs, flies.

58
62

74

Ha n d l ines a n d c a n e poles . . . . . . . . . . .
S p i n n i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .
F l y fi s h i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
B ai t cast i n g , s p i n cast i n g . . . . . . . . . . . .
S u rf fi s h i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bay a n d b i g - g a m e fi s h i n g . . . . . . . . . . .
Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
K nots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . .
R i g s ...........................

78
80
84
88
92
96
98
1 00
1 06
114

Methods . . . . . . .
Strea ms . . . . . . . .
P o n d s, sha l l ow a n d
Pi ers, b r i d g e s . . .
Bays, l a g o o n s . . .
S u rf . . . . . . . . . .
Pa rty boats . . . . .
C h a rter boats . . .
Hook i n g , l a n d i n g .
Cleaning . . . . . , .
Tro p h i es, records .
Boats . . . . . . . . ,

1 22
1 24
1 28
1 34
1 36
1 38
1 40
1 42
1 44
1 48
151
1 54

116
WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW TO FISH..... . 120
. . . . . . . . .
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d e e p lakes
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OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION . .... . 156

INDEX . . ......................... 157

SPORT FISH I NG
Sport fi s h i n g-catc h i n g fish for fun-beg a n i n a n cient
times. Ma n fished fi rst for food, of course, then made a
sport of it. Primitive m a n used a gorge, fore r u n n e r of to
day's fishhook. It consisted of a piece of bone, wood, or
shel l sha rpened at both ends. A line was tied to its center,
and the gorge was hidden in a bait. When a fish swa l
lowed t h e morsel, the line was pulled tight, lod g i n g the
gorge crosswise i n the fish's gullet.
Ba rbed hooks a re mentioned i n the Bible, a nd the Red
Hackle, an a rtificial fl y fi rst descri bed by th e Romans, is
sti l l used to this day. By 1 496, when Dame Jul i a n a Ber
n ers, a Benedicti n e nun, published "The Treatyse of
Fysshynge wyth a n Angle" in The Book of St. Albans,
fi s h i n g had definitely become a sport.
4

Then came lzaak Wa lton, patron saint of modern

fishing, w h ose classic book, The Compleat Angler, fi rst ap
pea red i n 1 653. A truly conte m plative a n gler, lzaak Wa l
ton enjoyed a day by the stream as m uch as the catc h .
His descriptions o f t h e a rt o f fish i n g a re sti l l i nspiri n g .
Approxi mately 2 5 m i l lion fishing licenses a re sold a n
n u a l l y i n the U nited States, a n d a n esti mated 1 5 m i l lion
additiona l a n g l ers fish w here licenses a re not required,
a s i n m ost salt-water fishing a reas. Every yea r a n g lers
take some 500 m illion pounds of fish from fresh waters
and a bout 600 m i l lion pounds from salt. Billions of d o l l a rs
a re spent on this most popular participation sport. I n the
U nited States, there a re some 1 00,000 la kes a nd more
than a m i l lion mi les of strea ms a n d rivers for the fresh
water fish erma n and more tha n 90,000 mi les of coa stli n e
on w h i c h t h e sa lt-water fisherman can try h i s l u c k . Most
i m portant is the i m m easurable p leasure en joyed by each
of these m i l lions of fishermen.

FISHES
Fishes a re a va ried g roup of som e 40,000 species, most of
which have skeletons of bone. The few hund red species of
sha rks, rays, a n d l a m p reys have skeletons of ca rti lage.
Most bony fishes are covered with overlapping sca les
over which there i s a thin skin that secretes a coati ng of
slime. This aids the fish in slipping th roug h the water and
protects it from pa rasites. A fish's age can be dete r m i n ed
by counti n g t h e rings on its sca les. The typica l fish has two
sets of pai red fins (pectora l a n d pelvic) a n d th ree un
paired fi n s (do rsa l, anal, and cauda l ) . It swi m s m a i n ly by
wagging its body from side to side and uses its fi n s for
steeri n g . A fish breathes by a lternately openi n g its m outh
to let i n water, then shutti ng its mouth and forci ng the
water ba c k over its g i l l s a n d out the gill openings. As the
water passes over the gill fi la m e nts, dissolved oxygen is
excha nged for carbon d ioxide.
Deta i l of Sca l e

PARTS OF A FISH
latera l l i n e

YELLOW PERCH

A fish's shape is a c l ue to where

it lives, how it feeds a n d the sort of
fight it puts u p when hooked. Fish of
the open sea genera l ly have a
spi nd le-shaped body. They depend
on speed to esca pe enemies and to
catch food. They fight h a rd. Many
kinds leap from the water as they try
to get rid of the hook. Ma rlins, tunas
a n d ma ckerels a re among these
fast, strea m li ned fish.
At the opposite extreme a re flat
or c h u n ky bottom-dwel lers. Usua l ly
slow swim mers, they do not j u m p
w h e n hooked, b u t m a y p u l l h a rd as
they bore deeper i nto the water.
Some wi l l saw the line i n two on
p i l i n g s or rocks.
Many fish that live i n q uiet waters
between the surfa ce and the bottom
have a compressed body-flattened
from side to side. Mem bers of the
sunfish fa m i ly i n fresh water or
pompanos, among others, i n sa lt
water a re of this type.
Many fishes a re protected from
enemies by sharp spines or spiny
fi n s, some of which a re poisonous.
A puffer can inflate its body u nti l
it is too l a rge for a p redator to
swa l low. Groupers a n d flounders
a re a m o n g the fish that can change
their color or pattern so that they
blend with their surro u n d i ngs.

OPEN WATER

C u tthroat T rout

F l a thea d C a tfish

SENSES

Fish detect danger and find their food by

their senses of sight, hearing, smell and taste. Generally

fish with a well-developed sense of sight are predators;
they eat smaller fish or other live, active animals. Their
sense of smell is not so well developed as it is in bottom
feeders, many of which are scavengers.

SIGHT

eyes a re at th e
it c a n
see behi n d a s well a s i n fro n t .
Experime nts h a v e d e m o n strated
that many fosh can d etect even
s l i g h t variations i n form and that
t h ey can see colors r a n g i n g over
the spectr u m from red to violet.
F resh-water bass, for exa m p l e,
often show str o n g p refe rence for
l u res that are red o r y e l l ow. A
fosh c a n focus on n e a r o bjects
s i des of

A f i sh's

i t s h ea d ; h e n ce

a n d c a n d etect e v e n s l i g h t m ove
m e nts in d i stant o b j ects. Distance
vision is l i m ited by the short
range l ig h t trave l s i n water. Fish
that live at moderate depths or
those that feed i n dim eve n i n g
o r m o r n i n g l i g h t m a y h a v e l a rg e
eyes. F is h t h a t fo n d t h e i r food
m a i n l y by its o d o r, a s d o catfosh
and eels, have s m a l l eyes. F is h
that f e e d ma in ly b y s i g h t readily
take a rtifocial l u res ( p . 66).

Left Eye On l y

R i g h t Eye,Only
Light rays bend i n passi n g from
water to a i r; hence fish's exact
location varie with observer's
view i n g a n g l e .

A fish looks from the water

throug h a c i rcu l a r w i n d o w, which
varies in size with the cla rity of
the water a n d the fish's depth.

current of water

HEARING

o l factory
n e rve (sense of smel l )

Vibrations
travel
more rapid l y and a l so g reater
d istances in water t h a n i n air.
lures that g u rg l e , pop, o. r rattle
ollrocl a fish's attention; they
con be "heard" without b e i n g
seen a n d o r e effective of n i g ht
or in m u rky water where sile n t
l u res p a s s u n n oticed. Fish d o not
h e a r fishermen t a l k i n g beca use
these sound waves a re i n the air,
b u t bo n g i n g o n a boot sets up
vibrations i n the water that may
frighten fi s h away. A fish picks
up vibrati o n s through the ear
bones i n its s k u l l ; it has n o ex
t e r n a l ea r o p e n i n g s . Its lateral
l i ne, with p o res opening to the
o u tside, d e tects low-freq u e n c y
vibrations, such a s footstep s o n
the b o n k, a n d c h a n g e s i n pres
s u r e or c u rrent d i recti o n .

SMELL

AND TASTE o re
closely related, b u t s m e l l is effec
tive a t a dista nce, w h i l e on ob
ject m ust be contacted to be
tasted . A fish 's nostrils ore b l i n d
s a c s l i n e d w i t h a tissue t h a t i s
sen sitive to odors. At spawning
time, salm o n fi n d their way from
the sea to their parental stream
by the o d o r of its water. They
con be g u ided to a new s p a w n
i n g a re a by o n o d o r path of t h e
o l d strea m . Odors g iven off by
a l a rmed o r i n j u re d m i n n ows at
tract predators. Thus, a boss may
seek a wou nd e d (hooked) min
now used for ba it. Toste o r g a n s
o n the whiskers o r b a rbels h e l p
catfish, d r u ms, a n d o t h e r s fo n d
food . Nat u r a l b a its, especially
those with a str o n g o d o r (p. 58).
work
best
for
these
fish.

l o n g itud i n a l
Sectio n

line

SPORT

Brown Tro u t

l a r g e m o u t h Bass

B l uegi l l

10

FISH

Any fish that is fun to catch on hook

a n d line qua lifies as a sport fish.
Opinions va ry a bout which fish a re
the m ost game, h owever. A 1 4inch Sma l l m outh Bass, a prize catch
to a Midwest fisherm a n , might be
scorned by a F lorida fisherman ac
customed to battling Tarpon or a
Ca lifornia fisherman w h o catches
Albacore. Most fishermen ag ree that
sa lt-water fish show m o re speed,
strength, and sta m i n a than d o fresh
water fish.
Gameness va ries, too, with ha bi
tat and climate. La rgemouth Bass
ca ught in cool northern la kes often
fight harder than Largemouths of
the same size from warm southern
lakes. Wa l leyes taken from rivers
battle much h a rder tha n do Wall
eyes from la kes. But extra size may
m a ke up for the differen ce, as
Largemouth Bass g row larger i n the
South a nd Wa l leyes livi ng i n la kes
g row larger than those i n strea ms.
The gameness a fish shows de
pends a lso on the kind of tackle
used. A qua rter-pound B luegil l
hau led i n on a 20-pound test l i n e
puts up no fight at a l l , w h i l e the
sa me fish caught on a l i m be r fly rod
and fine leader is a rea l battler.

Most fish, i n fact, fight gamely when

ca ught on lig ht enough ta ckle. light
tackle puts more zest in a sa lt-water
fish's fig ht, too, and rea l ly la rge-size
battlers can be bested with light
tackle if it is used properly. The
fighti ng chance light tackle gives the
fish ma kes fishing more fun.
Fish norm a l ly swi m a bout as fast
as a m a n wa l ks. But when hooked,
some fish litera l l y burn the line from
a reel . Marlin and sai lfish may
reach speeds of 60 mi les an hour in
short bursts. Tarpon ca n rip off line
at 30 mi les a n hour, and even sma l l
g a m e fish, i n c l uding fresh-water
trout and bass, have been clocked
at 20 mi les an hour. The h a rder a n d
faster a fish fig hts the m o r e exciti ng
it is to catch, as a ny vetera n fisher
man wi l l testify.
The pri n cipa l sport fish of fresh
and sa lt waters i n North America
are described a n d i l l ustrated on the
fo l lowing pages. I n c l uded with the
sport fish a re some of the common
roug h a n d pest species that provide
sport or fun si m p ly beca use they are
ca ught so a bu nda ntly. The com m o n
names u s e d are those recom mended
by the Outdoor Writers Association
of America ; the scientific names a re
those adopted by the American
Fisheries Society.

Striped Bass

Ta rpon

C roaker

ll

SALT-WATER

WHERE AND WHEN

HOW AND WHY

TARPON r a n g e over the coasta l

waters of the Gulf of Mexico a n d
i n t h e Atl a ntic north t o Virg i n i a
a n d a s f a r s o u t h a s B r a z i l . I n
shore fish, they often a scend riv
ers to fresh water. They are per
m a nent residents i n the Florida
Keys and 1 0,000 Isla n d s . In U.S.
waters they are m ost a b u n d a n t
i n s p r i n g a n d s u m m e r, m i g rati n g
n o rthward i n s p r i n g .

Trol ling, d rifti ng, a n d stil l fish

i n g are best methods for big
Ta rpon. Smaller fish a re taken
by s p i n n i n g , bait casti n g , o r fly
fishing. Noct u r n a l feeders, they
are caught m ost readily at n i g ht.
Favored n a t u r a l baits a re l ive
cra bs, p i nfish, pigfish, a n d m ul
let. C u t mullet o r bon ito are a l so
good, as a re jigs, plugs, spoons,
and flies.

BONEFIS H are fou n d on t h e

fl a t s bordering w a r m seas t h e
world over. I n the continental
U.S. they r a rely occ u r north of
Biscayne Bay o n the Atla ntic or
the 1 0,000 I s l a n d s on the Gulf.
They a re plentiful the yea r r o u n d
i n the F l o r i d a Keys a n d the Ba
ha mas. Most active on the rising
tide, they feed n ig ht and day.

Ba iting an area with c o n c h c h u m ,

then sti l l fishing i s classic fi s h i n g
m e t h o d . More p o p u l a r is sta l k
i n g the fish by pol i n g or wad i n g
a cross flats. Best n a tu ral baits
are s h r i m p, hermit crabs, a n d
conch. Effective l u res a re p o rk
c h u n ks, bucktai l j i g s, worm j i gs ,
a n d f l i es. Sp i n n i n g g e a r i s best;
fly tac k l e i s more s porti n g .

LADYFISH a re fou n d i n the i n

s h o r e waters of tropical s e a s t h e
w o r l d over . T h e y a re p l entiful i n
t h e Gulf of Mexico a n d range
n o rthward i n s u m m e r to the C a r
o l i n a s in the Atl a n tic. Ladyfish
are active a l l yea r i n souther n
Florida, feed i n g d a y a nd n i g ht.
They are caught a r o u n d i n lets
a n d over deep flats.

C a sting small b uckta i l s with s p i n

n i n g t a c k l e is the best way t o
c a t c h Ladyfish . Best n a t u r a l b a i t
is l ive shri m p, but t h e y a l so t a ke
cut m u l let a n d l ive m i n n ows.
Stream e r fl ies, s m a l l s u rface
p l u g s, and spoo n s ore good a t
times. Whatever the l u re, it
should be fished behind a heavy
nylon or l i g h t wire lead<"

AMERICAN

S HAD e n t e r
rivers o n the Atl a ntic from New
E n g l a n d to No rth F l o r i d a . H ick
ory Shad d o not occu r a b u n d a nt
ly south of the C a ro l i n a s. Both
a re c a u g h t in fresh water d u ri n g
s p r i n g spaw n i n g r u ns.

12

FISHES

Most pop u l a r a n g l i n g method i s

c a s t i n g s m a l l s p o o n s or brig htly
colored weig hted flies with s p i n
n i n g tackle. Tro l l i n g is al s o p rac
ticed i n slow rivers of the South.
Shad a re ra rely taken o n nat
ural baits.

TARPON

Megalops atlaniice>
Av., 5-20 l bs.
Common, 50- 1 00 l bs.
Reach es, 300 lbs. plus

BONEFISH

Albula vulpes
Av., 3 -41bs.
Common, 5 - 1 0 l bs.
Reaches, 20 l bs.

LADYFISH

flops saurus
Av., V2 - 1 l b .
Common, 1 -21bs.
Reaches, 7 lbs.

AMERI CAN SHAD

Alosa sapidissima
Av., 2-4 l b s .
Common, 4 - 6 l b s .
Reaches, 1 0 lbs.

HI CKORY SHAD

Alosa mediocris
Av., 1 -21bs.
Common, 2-3 l b s.
Reaches, 4 l b s

13

WHERE AN D WHEN

H OW AN D WHY

ATLAN T I C M A C K E R E L roa m
the o p e n waters of the Atl a ntic
n o rth of C a pe Hatteras. Schools
a p pear off Hatte ras i n Ma rch,
m ig ra t i n g n o rthw a rd to New
E n g l a n d by l a te May, a n d there
they venture i nto i n s i d e waters.
E l sewhe re, they slay offshore.

Tro l l i n g w i t h feathers, s p o o n s, o r
d i a m o n d j i g s i s the sta n d a rd
a n g l i n g method . Alter a school
is located by trol l i n g , mackerel
m a y be c a u g ht b y casting with
fly o r s p i n n i n g tackle. N a t u r a l
ba its a re rarely u s e d , b u t fish
w i l l hit trolled str i p b a its.

K I N G M A C K E R E L winter in
the C a r i b b e a n and a l o n g the
F l o r i d a Keys . I n spri n g , m i g ra
lions ca rry the m into the n o rth
e r n G u l f a n d a s fa r n o rth as
N o rth C a rol i n a . U s u a l l y f o u n d
a m i l e o r more offshore.

Trol l i n g with spoons or l a r ge

feathers is the most p o p u l a r fi sh
i n g m ethod . C h u m m i n g with
pieces of m u l let is practiced in
the western G u lf. Many ore t a k e n
o n trol l e d boils of b a l lyhoo o r
m u l let w h e n fi s hi n g for s a i lfish.

SPAN I S H M A C K E REL r a n g e
thr o u g h i n shore a n d offshore
waters of the G u l f and the At
l a ntic south of V i r g i n i a capes. I n
s u m m e r they r a n g e n o rthwa rd;
resid e n t i n southe r n F l o r i d a .

Trol l i n g with s m a l l spoons or

white b uckta i l a n d n y l o n j i g s is
the most p o p u l a r method . C a st
i n g the same l u res with spi n n i n g
tackle a lso g o o d . M i n nows a n d
shr i m p a re best n a t u r a l b a its.

CERO M A C K E R E L

a re r a r e l y
f o u n d i n t h e U . S . n o rth o f the
F l o r i d a Keys . C o m m o n in the
Ba ha m a s . They l i k e c o r a l reefs.

Ceres o re b e st c a u g ht b y tro l l i n g
sm a l l b uckta i l s o r spoons a r o u n d
the outer reels. D e e p retrieves
with b u c kt a i l s a re favo red.

PAC I F I C M A C K E R E L occ u r
a l o n g the Pacific Coast from
Washi n gton south to Mexico.
Most a b u n d a nt off beaches south
of Santa B a r b a r a to Ensena d a .

Usually c a u g ht from piers o r

s m a l l b oats o n strip b a its, l ive
s a r d i nes, or a n c hovies. They
readily strike trolled s p o o n s,
s q u ids, a n d s m a l l bucktail j i g s .

S I E RRA M A C K E R E L r a n g e
f r o m P e r u to B a j a C a l ifor n i a .
R a r e l y s e e n n o rth o f E n s e n a d a .

T r o l l e d stri p b a its, j igs, a n d

spoons a re effective. Good l ive
baits a re a nchovies, s a rd i n es .

WAHOO

Deep trol l i n g ove r coral l e d g e s

is b e s t m etho d . W i re l i n e is often
used with l a r ge feathers or
spoons. Best bait i s who l e S p a n
i s h Mackerel trol l e d d e e p .

a re n owhere a b u n
d a n t, b u t a re fou n d i n t h e Gu l f
Strea m a n d over coral reefs
south of Ha ttera s . Most n u m erous
i n Ba h a m a s a n d West I n d i e s .

14

ATLANTIC MACKEREL

Scomber scombrus
Av., V2 -l l b .
Common, 1 -2 l b s .
Reaches, 4 l bs.
K I NG MACKEREL

Scomberomorus caval/a
Av., 6-1 0 l bs.
Common, 20-30 lbs.
Reaches, 75 l bs.

SPANISH MACKEREL

Scomberomorus maculatus
Av., 1 -2 lbs.
Common, 3-5 lbs.
Reaches, 12 l bs.
CERO MACKEREL

Scomberomorus regalis
Av., 1 -2 l bs.
Common, 4-6 l bs.
Reaches, 20 l bs.
PACIFIC MACKEREL

Scomber japonicus
Av., lib.
Common, 2-3 l bs.
Reaches, 6 l bs.
SI ERRA MACKEREL

Scomberomorus sierra
Av., 1 -2 1bs.
Common, 3-5 l bs.
Reaches, 12 lbs.
WAHOO

Acanthocybium solandi
Av., 1 5-20 l bs.
Common, 30-40 l bs.
Reaches, 1 50 lb s .

15

WH E R E A N D WH E N
BON ITOS

ra n g e from Long
Island to F l orida i n the Atl a ntic
and i n the Gulf. In the P a cific
they a r e f o u n d south of Pt. C o n
ce ption . U s u a l l y s t a y offshore;
m o st p l e n tiful i n s u m m e r .

M a n y Bon itos a r e c a u g ht by
a n g lers trol l i n g for B l u efish or
for school tuna ( 1 0- 1 00 l bs . ) .
Strike
strip
b a its,
b uckta i l s,
spoons, a n d metal jigs. I n Pa
cific, l ive sardines a r e favo red .

B L U E F I N TUNA a r e f o u n d
f r o m B a ha m a s to N o v a Scot i a .
I n t h e P a cifi c t he y occ u r south of
Pt. C o n ce ption offsho r e . Atlantic
school tuna ( 1 0- 1 00 l b s.) stay
offshore, but g i a nts (over 1 00
lbs.) work i nshore in n orth.

School t u n a a re ta k e n trol l i n g
w i t h s p o o n s , j i g s , a n d p l a stic
sq u i d s and fish. In Pacific, l ive
s a r d i n e s and a nchovies a re u sed .
G i a n t t u n a a r e c hu m med with
herring and ba ited with m u l let
o r mackerel.

BLAC K F I N T U N A r a n g e south
of Cape Hatte ras to the G u lf of
Mexico and the C a ri b b ea n . B l u e
w a t e r fish, they roam o p e n seas
and edge of G u l f Stre a m . S u m
m e r fi s h i n g is b e s t i n U . S . waters.

Tro l l i n g with str i p ba its, b u c k

t a i l s, or spoons is best m ethod.
Large speci m e n s often hit sail
f i sh bai t s o f f Flo r i da. Sometimes
caught f rom compac t schoo l s by
cast i n g

j i g s, squ i d s, o r spoo n s.

Y ELLOWF I N T U N A

roam the
Atl a ntic south of Ha tteras a n d
the P a c i fi c s o u t h o f S a n t a Bar
b a r a . They a re most plentiful i n
s p r i n g a n d s u m m e r i n b l u e water
w el l offsho r e .

U s u a l ly c a u g ht m o re by accident
tha n d esig n , these fi s h ofte n
strike trolled m u l l et o r b a l lyhoo
ba its i ntended for s a i l fi s h or
m a r l i n . In Pacific waters, they
pick up B l u e fi n Tu n a b a its.

S K I PJ A C K TU N A

or "Oce a n i c
Bon ito11 occ u r south o f N e w J e r
sey in Atlantic a n d south to Pt.
C o n c e ption i n Pacific. Prefer
blue water, s u m m e r weathe r .

F a st trol l i n g with feathers, m eta l

j i g s, or spoo n s is most consistent
m ethod . Strip baits a r e f a i r for
tro l l i n g . Live s a r d i n es a re the
favorite b a i t in the Pacific.

LITTLE TUNA r a n g e f r o m N e w
J e rsey s o u t h i n t h e o p e n s e a a n d
e d g e of the G u l f Stre a m . Some
times c o m e close to i n l ets a n d
beaches. S u m m e r a n d f a l l best.

Very fast trol l i n g with strip

ba its, metal s q u id s , o r b u c kta i l
a n d feathe r j i gs i s best m ethod .
Casting the s a m e l u res works
wel l when school i s located.

ALBACO RE

C a u g ht from l ive-bait boats off

C a lifo r n i a on a n chovies a n d sar
d i nes. Trol l i n g with feathers or
metal jigs a l so g ood .

are fo u n d i n the
Pacific n o rth to A l a s k a , ofte n i n
the d e e p b l u e water n e a r s ho a l
g r e e n . M o s t c o m m o n i n s u m m e r.

16

H OW AND WHY

ATLANTIC BONITO

Sarda sarda
Av., 3 l b s .
C o m m o n, 4 6 l bs.
Reaches, 15 l bs.

BLUEFIN TUNA

Thunnus thynnus
school fish
Av., 1 5-251bs.
C o m m o n , 40- 1 00 l bs.
g i a n t fish
Av., 400 l bs .
C o m m o n , 60-700 l bs.
Reaches, 1 500 l bs .

BLACKFIN TUNA

Thunnus at/anticus
Av., 3-5 lbs.
Common, 7 - 1 0 lb s .
Reach es, 30 lb s .

YELLOWFIN TUNA

Thunnus albacores
Av., 1 00 l bs.
Common, 1 50 lbs.
Reaches, 250 I bs.

SK I PJACK TUNA

Euthynnus pelamis
Av., 6-1 01bs .
C o m m o n , 1 2- 1 51bs.
Reaches, 40 l bs.

LITTLE TUNA

Euthynnus alletteratus
Av., 5-8 l bs .
Common, 1 0- 1 21bs.
Reaches, 3 5 lbs.

ALBACORE

Thunnus alalunga
Av., 1 0- 1 5 l bs.
C o m m o n , 20 lbs.
Reaches, 80 lb s .

17

WHERE A N D W H E N
SAILFI SHES

occ u r i n the w a r m
e r waters of t h e A t l a n t i c a n d the
Pacific.
The
Atla ntic
Sailfish
ranges south of Hatte ras, stay
ing nea r the G u l f Stre a m , a n d
into the G u l f of Mexico. T h e Po
cific S a i lfish, a l so a b l u e -water
fi s h , is fo u n d t h r o u g hout t h e
tropica l Pacific north to Ba ja
C a l ifo r n i a . Both a r e active the
year rou nd.

Best method i s trol l i n g b a i l s of

m u l let, b a l l y hoo, m a c k e r e l , o r
sa r d i nes, with l i n e c l i pped t o a n
o u t r i g g e r . S a i lfi s h strikes the
s k i p p i n g bait with his b i l l a n d
jerks the l i n e from the o u t r i g g e r .
As the I i n e g o e s s l a c k, t h e b o il
s i n k s os if st u n n e d . S a i lfish t he n
p i c k s u p bait a nd r u ns wit h it.
Slow trol l ing with l ive f i s h f o r
b a it i s also a goo d m e t h o d .

MARLI N S r o a m the w a r m seas

of the wor l d . They a r e hig hly
reg a rd e d game fi s h . The B l u e
M a r l i n occ u rs f a r o u t i n the
G u lf Stream from C u ba to Hal
teras a n d a l so i n the West I n
d i e s a n d Ba ha m a s . Marl i n fi shi ng
is best i n spring a n d s u m m e r
i n U . S . a n d Ba h a m a s waters.
Striped M a r l i n range from the
middle C a l if o r n i a coast south to
Chile i n deep, blue wate r . Active
all year from Mexico south, they
a r e fo u n d i n C a l ifornia waters
from spring u n t i l fa l l . W h ite
M a r l i n r a n g e from Monta u k
south t o t h e West I n d ies. Most
a b u n d a n t late winter to s u m m e r
i n F l o r i d a a n d Ba ha m a s ; reach
Long I s l a n d in late s u m mer.

Trol l i n g is by f a r t h e best
method for m a r l i n s . Outrig g e rs
a re used to keep the bo ils o n
the s u rface a n d t o a l l o w a d rop
back whe n o fish str ikes. F o r
Bl u e M a r l i n t h e t a c k l e is heavy
and the baits l a rge-Bo n e fi s h ,
S p a n ish Mackerel, o r D o l p h i n u p
to 5 o r 6 p o u n d s. F o r Striped
Marlin the favo red b a its a r e
mackerel, m u l let, a n d Ay i n g fish.
These fi sh w i l l a l so hit very
l a rg e feat h e r jig s and strip
baits. W h ite Marlin a r e c a u g h t
on ba its i n t e n d e d f o r s a i l fi s h .
T h e y also take t r o l l e d m a c k e r e l ,
eels, a n d sq u id s . P l a stic s q u i d
a n d sma l l fi s h i m ita t i o n s m a ke
good l u res, as do l a rg e feathers
and nylon jig s .

SWO R D F I S H

U s u a l techn i q u e is to fi n d the
fish b a s k i n g n e a r the s u rface,
t h e n to troll ba its of squid or
mackerel i n fts h 1s line of visio n .
It is best t o stop t h e b o a ! a n d
a l l ow t h e b a i t t o s i n k slowly i n
f r o n t o f the fi s h . This bri n g s
m a n y strikes. Tac k l e m u st b e
heavy, b u t d r a g o n r e e l set l i g ht,
as Swordfish h a ve tend e r m o u t h s
d e s p ite p o w e r a n d sta m i n a .

a re virtu a l l y
world-wide i n d i st r i b u t i o n , r a n g
i n g s o u t h fro m Santa C r u z to
the tropics a n d in the Atl a n tic
from Nova Scotia lo the Tro pic
of C a p r i c o r n . Best spots are the
far offshore waters out of M o n
ta u k and Block I sl a n d ; S a n
P e d r o to Ava l o n ; a n d off P e r u
and C h i l e . Swordfish a re h ig h l y
prized a n d n owhere com m o n .

18

H OW AND W H Y

ATLANTIC SAI LFISH

lstiophorus albicans
Av., 30 l bs.
Common, 40-50 l bs .
Reaches, 1 20 l bs.

PAC I F I C SAI LFISH

/stiophorus greyi
Av., 80-1 00 l bs.
Common, 1 50 l bs.
Reaches, 220 l bs.

BLUE MARLI N

Makaira nigricans
Av., 300 l bs.
Common, 400-500 l bs .
Reaches, 800 l bs.

STRIPED MARLIN

Tetrapturus audax
Av., 2 5 0 l bs.
Common, 400 l bs.
Reaches, 700 l bs.

WHITE MARL IN

Tetrapturus albidus
Av., 50-60 l b s .
Common, 75 l bs.
Reaches. 1 60 l bs.

SWORDFISH

Xiphias gladius
Av., 1 50-300 l bs.
Common, 400-700 l bs .
Reaches, 1 200 I bs.

19

W HERE A N D WHEN
AM BERJACKS

r a n g e from H a t
teras south to Brazil a l o n g t h e
e d g e of t h e G u l f S t r e a m , ove r
offshore wrecks a n d a r o u n d
h eavy c o r a l reefs. Present a l l
year i n Florida and Bahamas.
Mig rate n o r t h w a r d i n s u m mer.

Best method is slow d rifti n g with

l ive ba its of g r u nts1 croa ke rs, o r
o t h e r s m a l l fi s h . C h u m o f fi s h
c h u n ks w i l l excite fi s h to strike.
Spoons ond b u c k t a i l s a r e good
artif i c i als. Hoo k e d f i sh m a y be
k e p t overboard t o attract o t h e rs.

C REVALLE JACKS

range from
N orth C a r o l i n a to t h e Carib
bea n . They are f o u n d t h e year
r o u n d from F l o r i d a south; s u m
m e r e l s e w h e r e . Enter b a y s a n d
rive rs, e v e n f r e s h w a t e r i n F l a .

Caught mostly by cast i n g o r

trol l i n g buckta i l j i g s , spoons,
p l u g s, or fl ies. A l l n a t u r a l baits
a r e good, with l ive s h r i m p best.
C reva l l e Jacks a re usually taken
while s eek in g other fish.

H O RSE-EYE JACKS

a re com
m o n i n West I nd i es and Ba
h a m a s, al so Fla. Rang.e i nshore
a n d over offshore reefs.

Small spoons, jigs, a n d fl ies best

fished with l ig h t tac k l e . Use fast
retrieve. N i g ht fi sh i n g is t h e
m ost prod uctive.

BLUE RU N NERS

occ u r over
same r a n g e as C reva l l e b u t more
i n outside waters. I n l ets good .

Best method is cast i n g s m a l l

b uckta i l j i g s a r o u n d b uoys out
side i n l ets. Spoons a l s o good.

BAR JACKS

r a n g e t h r o u g h the
s am e waters a s Yellow Jacks,
often in the sa m e schools.

C a sti ng or trol l i n g with s m a l l

j i g s , spoons, or s t r i p b a i t s a r e
best m e t h o d s . U s e f a s t retrieve.

YELLOW JACKS

a re common
from t h e Caribbean north to
F l o rida Keys and B a h a m a s . They
a r e fo u n d all y e a r over reefs.

F a st trol l i n g w i t h m e t a l
spoons, o r buckta i l s is
method . S a m e l u res a re
effective w h e n cast.

G REEN JACKS

r a n g e from
B a j a C a l if o r n i a to Peru. Most
a b u n d a n t off Central America.

Best ca u g h t trol l i n g o r casting

with jigs, s poons, and s q u i d s .
L i v e fi s h es, s t r i p b a its good .

PAC I FI C

Most p o p u l a r method is c h um
m i n g with l ive a n c h ovies, b u tter
fi s h or s a rd i n es, u s i n g s a m e
c h u m a n d b a it. Slow trol l i n g
w i t h feathers a n d s p o o n s is a l so
effective.
Deep
j ig g i n g
with
l a r g e b u c kta i l s o r metal j i g s c a n
p r o d u c e fi n e catches.

YEL L O W T A I L S

r a n g e from Pt. C o n c e ption south

to G u a d a l u pe. Most p l e ntif u l off
Baja C a l ifornia and i n Gulf of
C a l iforn i a . Waters a r o u n d is
l a n d s with rocky s h o res, also
k e l p beds. A l l y e a r B a j a C a l if.,
n o rth i n s p r i n g and s u m mer.

20

H OW A N D W HY

iigs,
best
a l so

AMBERJACK

Seriola dumerili
Av., 1 020 lbs.
Common, 40.60 l bs.
Reaches, 1 50 lbs.

CREVALlE JACK

Caranx hippos
Av., 1 -2 lbs.
C o mmon, 8-1 2 l bs.
Reaches; 55 lbs.

BLUE RUNNER

Caranx crysos
Av., Yi-1 l b .
C o m mon, 2 l b s .
Reaches, 7 l bs.

YELLOW JACK

Caranx bartholomaei
Av., 1 -21bs.
Common, 8-1 0 lbs.
Reaches, 1 5 l bs.

GREEN JACK

Caranx cabal/us
Av., %-1 l b .

Common, 1 -2 l bs.
Reaches, 5 lbs.

PACIFIC YELLOWTAIL

Seriola dorsalis
Av., 1 0-1 51bs.
Common, 20-30 l bs.
Reaches, 90 lbs.

21

W H E R E AND W H E N
POMPANO

occ u r a lo n g t h e At
l a n tic Seaboard from Virg i n i a to
F l o r i d a and i n the G u lf of Mex
ico. A fish of the s u rf, i n lets, a n d
bays; a l so offs hore o i l r i g s i n
G u lf. Resi d e n t i n G u l f a n d Flor
ida, summer to t h e north.

Best method i s s u rf fi s h i n g with

ba its of s a n d fle a s o r clam. A lso
good is cast i n g a n d j i g g i n g with
small bucktails and other j i g s .
Chum m i n g w i t h c r u shed cla m o r
c r a b w i l l a ttract Po m p a n o t o
a rea to be fi shed .

P E R M IT, o r G i a n t Pom p a n o, a r e
f o u n d i n lim ited n u m bers o n the
lower G u l f Coast of Florida, i n
t h e F l o rida Keys, a n d on east
coast of Mexico. They I ike very
deep pa sses, r a n g e ove r shallow
flats also. S u m m e r best.

F i s h i n g d e e p in p a sses with b l u e
crabs is best method. Permit can
a l so be stalked o n flats l i ke
Bonefish, u s i n g s p i n n i n g tackle
a n d b u cktail l u res. Pink j i g s es
pecia l ly good. C r a b s or l ive
s h r i m p good baits for flats.

A F R I CAN POM PA N O r a n ge
throu g h the
Caribbean
and
West I n d ies n o rth to Florida
Keys a nd B a ha mas. F o u n d over
bright sa n d bottom n e a r outer
reefs. Fishi n g best from late
winter thro u g h s u m m e r.

Tro l l i n g ove r reefs with str i p

ba its, spoons, o r metal j i g s is
best method. Tro l l fast up to
1 0 m ph. Casting with either spin
ning o r ba it-casti ng g e a r a n d
u s i n g spoons o r b uckta ils i s a lso
a prod uctive techn i q u e .

LOOKDOWN S occ u r in tropi

c a l Atlantic north to South Flo r
i d a , sometimes strayi n g farther
n o rth in s u m me r . Common in
Keys a r o u n d b ridges, inshore
reefs o r wrecks, a n d a lso in
creeks. All year, n ig h t ti m e best .

C a u g h t by d rifti n g l ive s h r i m p
w i t h t i d e ; s p i n n i n g a n d fly fish
ing
are
a lso
good.
Small
strea m e r fl ies a n d b u ckta i l j i g s
fished a r o u n d b rid g e s h a d ows
a t n ig ht catch m a n y fish. Use
very l i g h t tackle .

BLU E F I S H

M a n y methods a r e su itab l e for

b l uefis h i n g .
Offshore,
trol l i n g
w i t h metal s q u i d s o r feathers is
prefe rred . Near i n l ets and in
boys, t h e fi s h o r e attracted by
c h u m m i n g with g ro u n d - u p m en
haden, t h e n fished for by c a st
i n g j i g s or s q u i d s . I n t h e s u rf
they o re c a u g h t by s q u i d d i n g
( u si n g a rtificial b a its) o r by fi s h
i n g w i t h c u t m u llet or m e n ha den.
Will hit a l l lures, most b aits.

a re world-wide i n
d i st r i b u t i o n . They roam t h e west
e r n Atla ntic from Ma i n e to Bra
z i l, i n c l u d i n g t h e Gulf of Mexico.
B l u efish travel i n schools, feed
i ng well offshore, in t h e s u rf,
a ro u n d i n lets, a nd i nto bays.
Their m igrations a re e rratic, b u t
they p r e f e r r a t h e r w a r m water.
Found ail yea r i n Florida waters,
roa m i n g n o rth to cooler waters
from spring u ntil fall.

22

H OW A N D W H Y

POMPANO

Trachinofus carolinus
Av., 1 -2 lbs.
Common, 2-3 lbs.
Reaches, 7 lbs.

PERMIT

Trachinotus gooclei
Av., 1 5-20 lbs.
Common, 30 lbs.
Reaches, 50 lbs.

AFRI CAN POMPANO

Alectis crinitus
Av., 8 - 1 2 lbs.
Common, 20-30 lbs.
Reaches, 40 lbs.

LOOK DOWN

Selene vomer
Av., %lb.
Common, 1 lb.
Reaches, 3 lbs.

BLUEFISH

Pomafomus sa/latrix
Av., 1 -3 lbs.
Common, 5 - 1 0 lbs.
Reaches, 25 lbs.

23

WHERE A N D WHEN
BLA C K

G ROU PERS r a n g e
n o rth to o ff s h o r e S o u t h C a r o l i n a
i n s u m m e r b u t a re resid e n t i n
F l o r i d a waters a n d i n the G u lf.
They prefer coral reefs o r other
rocky bottom w e l l offs h o r e . On l y
the s m a l l fi s h ve n t u re c l o s e i n
shore. I n G u lf best.

Deep
trol l i n g
with
feathers
t i p ped with strip b a i t is best
method. Drifting over rocks with
ba its of c u t m u l let, spiny l o bster
t a i l , o r s m a l l l ive fi sh is a l so
g o o d . Do not use l ig h t tackle, for
Black G r o u p e r m u st be " h orsed"
from rocks.

GAG G ROU PERS

occ u r n orth
into F l o r i d a and B a h a m a s waters
and t h e G u lf of Mexico. They
a r e found o n coral reefs, but
u n l i ke B l a c k G r o u pers, they also
enter i n s h ore and i n s i d e waters.
Common i n summer o n i n s h ore
g r a s s f l a t s o n G u l f Coa st.

S p i n n i n g o r b a it cast i n g with
b u c ktails, spoons, o r plugs a re
best methods. As G a g s feed i n
compa ratively s h a l l ow w a t e r , a r
tificia l l u res c a n be used. D r ift
i n g over g rass fl ats with l ive
m i n nows or s h r i m p a l so g oo d .
Slow trol l i n g b e s t offshore.

YELLOW FI N GROU PERS

a re
fou n d in the F l o r i d a Keys, in the
B a h a m a s , and o n rocky bottom
offshore i n the G u l f . S m a l l speci
mens m ove i n s h o re i n Keys
a r o u n d cora l patches. A d u l t fish
stay o n r u g g ed offshore reefs.
Active all yea r .

Most Yellowfin G r o u pers a re

c a u g h t m o r e or less by acci d e n t
w h e n fi s h i n g for o t h e r species.
They strike b u c k ta i ls, pl u g s , a n d
spoons. Best baits- are c u t m u l
let, s p i n y l o bster t a i l , a n d l ive
s h r i m p . Bottom fi s h i n g on outer
reefs best method .

R E D G RO U PERS,

the m ost
a b u nd a n t
g ro u pe r s
in
U.S.,
range from t h e b a n ks off N o rth
C a r o l i n a southward and Into the
G u l f of Mexico, where n u m e r
o us. F o u n d m ostly on offshore
b a n k s but a lso come to inshore
pa sses. Fishing g ood all yea r.

Sti l l fi s h i n g a n d s lo w tro l l i n g
w i t h l ive fish o r s h r i m p o r with
c u t m u l let a re best methods.
F e a t h e r , b u c k ta i l , and worm j i g s
worked d e e p a re b e s t l u re s . Red
Gr o u p e r s up to 3 or 4 p o u n d s
p u r s u e l u re s a c t i v e l y ; l a r g e r f i s h
d o not.

NASSAU GROU P E RS

Drifti n g over outer reefs with

ba its of l ive fish, c u t m u l let, o r
l obster tail fished n e a r bottom
is best meth od . S m a l l speci m e n s
often s t r i k e b u c kta i l s a n d feath
e r s i n t e n d e d for Yel l owta i l S n a p
pers or other f i s h. A slow re
trieve i s best .

are
more n u me r o u s i n t h e B a h a m a s
t h a n i n U.S. waters, b u t t h e y are
f a i r l y common i n t h e F l o ri d a
Keys. They occ u r south to the
West I n d ies. They rarely ven
t u r e fa r f r o m c o r a l reefs. Nas
sau Gro u pers are active a l l year.

24

H OW A N D W H Y

BLACK GROUPER

Mycteroperca bonaci
Av., 4-6 lbs.
Common, 10 lbs.
Reaches, 50 lbs.

GAG GROUPER

Mycteroperca microlepis
Av., 1-21bs.
Common, 3-5 lbs.
Reaches, 20 lbs.

YELLOWFIN GROUPER

Mycteroperca venenosa
Av., 1-21bs.
Common, 4-5 lbs.
Reaches, 10 lbs.

RED GROUPER

Epinephelus morio
Av., 3-6 lbs.
Common, 8-10 lbs.
Reaches, 35 lbs.

NASSAU GROUPER

Epinephelus striatus
Av., 2-3 lbs.
Common, 5-10 lbs.
Reaches, 30 lbs.

25

WH E R E A N D W H E N
S POTT E D JEW F I S H

a r e found
i n s h o r e o r o ff s h o r e o n reefs from
t h e east coast of F lo r i d a to the
G u l f Coast a n d Mexico. They
often move into inside waters
and p a sses. Active all year.

Sti l l fi s h i n g w i t h ba its o f live

jacks o r other fish i s best method.
S l a c k tide best time to fish.
Tackle m u st be heavy to h a u l
these powerf u l fi s h f r o m their
rocky u n d e rwater l a i rs.

BLACK J EW F I S H a re bottom
fish of d e e p waters from the
C a r o l i n a s to Gulf. Most plentiful
s p r i n g and s u m mer, offshore.

U s u a l l y c a u g h t o n c u t bait from
d r ift boats bottom fishing on
H eavy
reels.
offshore
deep
tackle n ecessa ry.

SEA BASS are f o u n d i n Atl a n tic

from C a pe Cod to F l orida. A
closely related species occurs i n
G u l f . Sea B a s s a re n u m e rous off
shore on h a rd bottom in d e pths
to 100 feet. Small specimens en
ter i n s i d e waters of Atla ntic and
G u l f . Fishing best i n s u m m e r .

Bottom fi s h i n g from p a rty boats

accounts for m ost of the Sea Bass
l a n d e d . Baits a re u s u a l l y c l a m
or s q u i d , b u t n e a r l y. a n y b a i t
w i l l do, a s w i l l a n y tackle, i n
c l u d i n g h a n d l ines. D e e p jig g i n g
w i t h buckta i l j i g s i s g o o d . Y o u n g
fish i n bays stri ke l u re s readily.

GIANT SEA BASS

occ u r i n the
Pacific from m i d d l e C a l ifornia
south to Mexico. Most a b u n d a n t
s o u t h of Sa n Diego. T h e y p refer
deep c h a n n el s and kelp beds,
often c l ose to s h o re. All year.

Best m ethod is sti l l fi s h i n g o n

bottom w i t h ba its o f m u l l et,
m ackerel, or other fi s h , w h o l e or
cut. Tac k l e m ust be heavy, a s for
Spotted Jewfish. Use SO- p o u n d
t e s t l i n e , s i z e 14/0 h o o k .

KELP BASS a r e found i n the

Pacific a s f a r n o rth as S a n Fran
cisco. Most a b u n d a nt south of Pt.
Conception. S a n d Bass r a n g e
n o rt h to Monte rey. B o t h species
are fbu n d i n kelp beds all year.
S u m m e r fi s h i n g best.

Live-bait fi s h i n g with a n c h ovies,

q ueenfish, o r tommy croakers
best method . Strip baits, s h r i m p ,
a n d s q u i d a lso good . Artificials
effective if they c a n be used
without h a n g i n g in k e l p . Weed
less spoons, bucktail jigs best.

STRI P E D BASS,

Sq u i d d i n g with l a rg e p l ugs, jigs,

rigged eels, and s q u i d s is p o p u
l a r when fish a r e i n s u rf. S p i n
n i n g w i t h l i g h t t a c k l e a n d l u res
good lor river a n d bay fish. F l y
fi s h i n g a l s o good i n b a y s . Troll
i n g off beaches with p l u g s, feath
ers best for big fi s h . Squid, her
r i n g , crabs good n a t u r a l b a its.

o r Rockfish,
r a n g e i n the Atlantic from Maine
to F l o r i d a , a n d i n t h e Pacific
from Coos Bay, Ore g o n to Mon
terey, C a l ifornia. A few fish l ive
i n rivers e m ptyi n g into the n o rth
e r n G u l l. Stripers roam t h e s u rf,
bays, and rivers. S p r i n g and fa l l
best, d a y o r n i g ht.

26

H OW A N D W H Y

SPOTTED JEWFISH

Epinephelus itajara
Av., 25-50 lbs.
Common, 100-200 lbs.
Reaches, 700 lbs.

BLACK JEWFISH

Epinephelus nigritus
Av., 20-30 lbs.
100-200 lbs.
Reaches, 500 lbs.

Common,

SEA BASS

Centropristes striatus
Av., 1-1%1bs.
Common, 2-3 lbs.
Re a che s, 8 lbs.

GIANT SEA BASS

Stereolepis gigas
Av., 75-100 lbs.
Common, 200 lbs.
Reaches, 600 lbs.

SAND BASS

Paralabrax clathratus
Av., 1-1 Y2 lbs.
2 lbs.
Reaches, 4 lbs.

Common,

Paralabrax nebulifer
Av., 1-21bs.
Common, 3 lbs.
Rea c he s, 6 lbs.

STRIPED BASS

Roccus saxatilis
Av., 5-10 lbs.
15-30 lbs.
Reaches, 70 lbs.

Common,

27

WH E R E AN D W H E N
S N A P P E RS,

a f a m i l y o f tropical
and su btropical fi s h of over 250
species, r a n g e in size from a few
o u n ces to over 1 00 po u n d s. Ma n
g rove S n a ppers, t h e m ost i m por
ta n t species to sport fi s h e r m e n ,
l ive o n coral reefs a n d i n creeks
and bays. Active all year, they
range n o rt h to F l o rida and the
G u lf. School m aster S n a p pers a re
f o u n d in sa m e r a n g e a n d loca
tions. lane S n a p pers freq u e n t
g rass flats a n d h a rd bottoms
i n same range. M utto nfish oc
c u r o n reefs on both coasts of
F l o r i d a . Y e l l owta i l s a re a b u n
d a n t ove r reefs in Keys a n d Ba
h a m a s; Red S n a p pers in deep
water (over 1 00 ft. ) i n G u lf
a n d Atl a ntic from N.C . south.

A l l o f t h e s n a ppers (except Red

S n a pper) c a n be c a u g h t by the
s a m e methods. C h u m m in g with
chapped o r g ro u n d - u p m u l let,
prefera b l y m ixed wi th sa n d ,
w o r k s wel l t o attract these wary
fis h . W h e n t h e fi s h a r e t a k i n g
c h u m f r e e l y , use u nweig h ted
baits of t h e c h u m o n m o n o fi l a
m e n t l i n e . Bottom fi s h i n g with a
b a i t of c u t m u l l e t is good , espe
cia l l y a t nig ht. live s h r i m p are
very effective i n creeks and bays.
Do not use either a float o r a
sinker. B u c kta i l a n d feather ji g s
a re the b est a rtific i a l s a n d s h o u l d
be fi s h e d d e e p a n d retrieved
jerkily. Red S n a ppers are c a u g h t
bottom fi s h i n g with c u t fi s h ail,
u s u a l l y from pa rty boats.

G R U NTS,

Bottom fi s h i n g with l i g h t tac k l e is

the best method in fi s h i n g for
g r u nts. The best b a i t is l ive
s h r i m p, tho u g h c l a m a n d cut m u l
let a lso w o r k wel l . I n the i d e a l
r i g , the l i n e r u n s f r e e l y t h r o u g h
o n egg s i n ker, w i t h a s h o rt m o n o
fi l a ment l e a d e r a n d size 1 /0
hook at the e n d . T h i s a l lows b it
i n g fish to take o u t l i n e without
fee l i n g the w e i g h t of t h e s i n ker.
Use this rig i n h a rd -bottom e d
s w a s h c h a n n e l s , from b r i d g es,
and around coral heads. Tackle
s h o u l d b e fresh-water sty l e b a it
casting or s p i n n i n g g e a r. Most
g r u nts wil l strike sma l l a rtificial
l u res fished close to t h e bottom.
B l u e s t r i p e Gr u n t s , W h ite Gr u nts,
and P i g f i s h rea d i l y hit s m a l l
ji g s t i p ped w i t h b i ts o f s h r i m p
o r m u l l e t . Fi s h t h e l u re s s l o w l y ,
retri e v i n g with short je r k s.

related to s n a p pers,
a re a f a m i l y of mostly tropical
pa nfi s h . They feed d a y and n i g h t
o n botto m . The W h ite G r u n t oc
c u r s o n F l orida's lower east coast
a n d in t h e Keys. l i ke m ost g r u nts
it p refers h a rd bottom a n d is
f o u n d both i n shore a n d offshore
The Ma rgate Grunt occ u rs i n the
Ba h a m a s and F l o r i d a Keys. The
B l uestripe Grunt r a n g es north to
m1d-Fiorid a a l o n g both coa sts .
The F r e n c h G r u nt, a very s m a l l
species, strays u p F l o r i d a ' s east
coast in s u m m e r. The B l a c k M a r
g a te, l a rgest of the g r u nts, is
m o re a b u n d a n t in B a h a m a s b u t
a l so occ u rs i n Keys. The P .o rkfish
is found o n Gulf and Atla ntic
coa sts of south F l o r id a . Pigfish
occurs i n G u lf a nd , i n s u m m er,
north to C hesapeake Bay, where
it i s k n o w n a s Hogfish.

28

H OW A N D W H Y

1. MANGROVE SNAPPER
Lutjanus g riseus
Av., %-1 lb.
Cammon, 2-3 lbs.
Reaches, 20 lbs.

4. MUTTONFISH
Lutjan us ana/is
325 lbs.

2. SCHOOLMASTER SNAPPER 5. YELLOWTAI L

Ocyurus chrysurus
Lui jan us apodus
Y2-? lbs.
%-Sibs.
3. LANE SNAPPER
Lutjanus synag ris
114-3 lbs.

Haemu/on plumieri
Av., % lb.
Common, 1 lb.
Reaches, 3 I bs.

2. MARGATE GRUNT
Haemu/on a/bum
%8 lbs.

6. RED SNAPPER
Lutjanus blackfordi
4-40 lbs.

4. FRENCH GRUNT
Haemu/on ffavo/ineatum
114-1 lb.

5. BLACK MARGATE
A nisotremus surinamensis
Y2-20 lbs.

3. BLUESTRIPE GRUNT 6. PIGFISH

Haemu/on sciurus
Orthopristes chrysopterus
Y2 -3 lbs.
114-1 Y2 lbs.

29

WHERE A N D WHEN

30

HOW A N D WHY

PORGIES

o f various species oc
cur i n the At la ntic from C a p e
Cod south to t h e W e s t I nd ies.
Sheepshead range from C h esa
peake Bay to the G u lf Coast.
J o lthead
P o rgies occ u r from
southe r n
Florida
southwa rd .
N o rt h e r n P o r g i e s a r e f o u n d from
C a p e Cod to H atteras, m ostly
offshore o n hard botto ms. South
ern Porgies, n e a r l y identical i n
. a p p e a r a n c e t o the n o r t h e r n spe
ci -e s, range from Hatteras to the
G u l f over h a rd bottom. Grass
Porgies a r e found i n t h e G u l f o n
g rass bottom , as a re P infis h ,
w h i c h occ u r i n bays a n d l a g o o n s
from N o r t h C a r o l i n a to Texas.

Use l i g h t b a it-casting o r s p i n n i n g
g e a r for a l l porg ies. The l i g ht
biting Sheepshead is best c a u g h t
w i t h the rig described f o r grunts
( p. 2 8 ) , u s i n g fid d l e r crabs or
s a n d b u g s for b a i t . Hang bait
n e a r piling j ust off b ottom or
over s h e l l b e d . At fi rst sig n of
a t u g , lower rod g e n tl y a s fish
p u l ls, t h e n strike h a r d . North
e r n and Southern porgies a r e
c a u g h t by botto m fi s h i n g with
b a its of c r a b , clam, o r s h r i m p .
Jolthead Porgies are caught
m ostly by accident f r o m pa rty
boats. Grass Porg ies a n d P i n fi s h
take l ive o r c u t s h r i m p fished
over g rassy bott o m .

BERM U DA C H U BS a re plenti
ful all y e a r i n Bermuda, F l o r i d a
Keys, a ri d B a h a m a s waters. T h e y
h o v e r o v e r c o r a l heads, feed i n
t h e s u rf, a n d sometimes f o l l o w
s h i p s to f e e d o n wastes th rown
ove r b o a r d .

C h u b s a re best ca ught o n sm a l l
ba its o f s h r i m p, c r a b, o r c u t fish.
Use s m a l l h o o k (size 2-4) a n d
fish n e a r b otto m . Strike h a rd t o
set h o o k i n t o u g h m o u t h . Ber
muda C h u bs strike fl ies and sm a l l
j i g s fished s l o w l y .

TRI P LETA I L S

a re k n o w n f r o m
C hesa p e a k e Bay to T e x a s , b u t
a re c o m m o n o n ly from S o u t h
C a r o l i n a s o u t h . H a n g a ro u n d
b u oys a n d p i l i n g s n e a r i n lets
and passes. On Gulf Coast,
enter inside water. All year
southern Fla., to north s u m m e r .

B e s t method i s s p o t cast i n g to
fi sh afte r s i g h t i n g them at c h a n
n e l m a rkers. Use m e d i u m-we i g h t
b a i t castine o r s p i n n i n g t a c k l e
a n d b u c k t a i l or f e a t h e r j i g s. live
c r a bs and s h r i m p a re best nat
ural ba its. Pinfish a re a l so good .
F ish h i t best on stro n g t i d e .

S N O O K a re fo u n d i n t h e i n
shore w a t e r s of t h e A t l a n t i c a n d
G u l f from F l o r i d a to C e n t r a l
A m e r i c a ; a lso i n G u l f o f C a l i
f o r n i a a n d Pacifi c Coast of Mex
ico. Ascend rivers to fresh water,
where they spend long periods.
Feed day and night a l l year, b u t
s p r i n g a n d s u m m e r best.

Bait casti n g , s p i n n i n g , a n d fl y
fis h i n g a re a l l excel l e n t methods.
S n o o k str i k e nearly all a rtifi c i a l
l u res, i n c l u d i n g s u rface a n d u n
d e rwater p l u g s , spoons, jigs,
fl ies, a n d s p i n n e rs. C a st l u res
close to shorelines w h e re fis h lie.
P i n fi s h , m u l let, and s h r i m p a re
g ood n a t u r a l ba its, u sed l ive.

3. NORTHERN PORGY

1 . SHEEPSHEAD

Archosargus
probatocephalus

Sfenofomus chrysops

1 -41bs.

4. GRASS PORGY

Av., lib.

Common, 35.1bs.
Reaches, 20 l bs.

Calamus arctifrons
Y2-2 lbs.

2. JOLTHEAD PORGY

S. PINFISH

1 8 l bs.

%-lib.

Calamus bajonado

Lagodon rhomboides

BERMUDA CHUB

Kyphosus sectatrix
Av., Y2 l b .

Common, 1 l b .
Reaches, 4 l bs.

TRIPLETAIL

Lobotes surinamensis
Av., 35 lbs.
Common, 8-1 0 l bs.
Reaches, 3 0 I bs.

SNOOK

Centropomus undecimalis
Av., 2-4 l bs.

Common, 1 0- 1 5 l bs.
Re a ches, 65 lbs.

31

WH E R E A N D WH EN

H OW A N D WHY

WEA K F I S H

r a n g e f r o m Ca pe
Cod to n orthern F l orida in in
shore waters. They a r e m ost
a b u nd a n t from Long I s l a n d to
Virg i n i a . Feed i n g day and nig ht,
they roam the surf and i nto bays
and rivers. S u m m e r best.

Use fresh-water bait casting, fly

or s p i n n i n g gear for both n at
u r a l bait ond a rtificial l u re fish
i n g . Good l u res a re b uckta i l s,
spoons, a n d streamers. Best ba its
are pee l e r crabs, s q u i d , a nd
s h r i m p . Night fi s h i n g best.

S POTT E D

W EA K F I S H a re
common in the i n s h o re waters of
the G u l f a n d n o rth i n the Atl a n
t i c to Virg i n ia , straying r a r e l y t o
New J e rsey i n f a l l . F o u n d in
bays, i n l ets, a n d su rf. Grass flats
good. A l l yea r in South.

S p i n n i n g with s m a l l jigs and re

l ated l u res is best method . Bait
casting and fl y fishing a re also
productive. Plugs a n d stream e r
fl i e s g o o d l u res. Best n a t u r a l
b a i t s are l ive s h r i m ps a n d m in
nows, fished u n d e r a float.

WH ITE SEABASS,

closely re
l a ted to Atl antic weakfishes, a re
f o u n d in t h e Pacific from Alaska
to Baja C a l ifornia. Most a b u n
d a n ! a r o u n d k e l p beds off south
ern C a l i f o r n i a . Often enter i n
side waters. A l l yea r.

Best method is d rifti ng over kel p

beds a n d s u bmerged b a n k s wi t h
b ai t s of l ive sard i n es or a n
c hovies. Slow tro l l i n g with str i p
ba its, spoons, or j i gs a l so effec
tive. Fish deep i n d aytime, n e a r
su rface at nig ht.

ATLANTIC C ROAKERS occ u r

f r o m Delaware B a y to Texas, with
the center of a b u n d a nce C hesa
peake Bay. Feed over s h e l l o r
sa n d bottom i n bays a n d lower
reaches of rivers, and most ac
tive in late s p ri n g and summer.

Bottom fishing with baits of cut

s h r i m p , cl ams, o r peeler crabs is
best method . I t is p refer a b l e to
d rift slowly rather t h a n to a n
chor. Buckta i l a n d fea t h e r jigs
w i l l catch croakers wh e n b u m ped
slowly along bott o m .

SPOT F I N

CROAKERS a r e
found i n t h e P a c i fi c from P t . C o n
ception to P t . Ba n d a . F e e d i n
su rf, bays, a n d s l o u g h s a n d a re
active y e a r r o u n d . Most a b u n
d a n ! in l a t e s u m m e r a n d fa l l .

S u rf fishing w i t h ba its of m u ssel,

cla ms, sandworms, o r crabs is
most p o p u l a r method . Bottom
fishing i n bays w ith same baits
is a l so g ood. U s e fresh-water
style tackle for m ost sport.

Y E L L O WF I N

Best method i s s u rf fishing with

baits of sea worms, c l a m s , m us
sel, or cra bs. Bottom fi s h i n g w h i l e
s l o w l y d rifting with same b a i t s is
effective offshore. F o r m ost f u n
u s e very l ig h t tackle.

CROAKERS

r a n g e from Pt. C on c e ption to

G u l f of C a lifornia a l o n g sandy
beaches a n d up to a m i l e off
shore. Most a b u n d a nt in Baja
C a l ifornia. Late s u m m e r a n d fal l .

32

WEAKFISH
Cynoscion regalis
Av., 1 lb.
Common, 23 lbs.
Reaches, 15 lbs.

SPOTTED WEAKFISH
Cynoscion nebulosus
Av., l ib.
Common, 35 lbs.
Reaches, 15 lbs.

WHITE SEABASS
Cynoscion nobilis
Av., 10-151bs.
Common, 20-30 lbs.
Reaches, 80 lbs.

ATLANTIC CROAKER
Micropogon unclulatus
Av., l ib.
Common, 2-3 lbs.
Reaches, 8 lbs.

SPOTFIN CROAKER
Roncaclor stearnsi
Av., l ib.
Com mon, 1 Y2 -2 lbs.
Reaches, 6 lbs.

YELLOWFIN CROAKER
Umbrina roncaclor
Av., Y2 lb.
Common, 1 lb.
Reaches, 2 lbs.
33

WHERE AND WHEN

C H A N NEL BASS range a long
t h e Atla ntic a n d G u l f coasts from
D e l a wa re to Texas. They a re s u rf
a n d i n let d w e l l ers in the north
ern p a rt of their range (spring
to fall) but prefer flats and
shorel i n e s i n inside waters in
Fla. and a l o n g Gulf a l l year.

S u rf cast i n g with crab, cut m u l

let, or M e n h a d e n baits is c l assic
method for l a r g e fish. Tro l l i n g
off i n lets w i t h l a r g e spoons a l so
g ood . S m a l l e r fish, c a l led " p u p
py d r u m," a re t a k e n on b uckta i l
j i g s or p l u g s w i t h l i g h t tackle.
Live s h r i m p a n d crab g oo d .

BLACK D R U M a re fo u n d i n the
inshore waters of t h e Atl a ntic
from Delaware Bay to Florida,
and over t h e G u l f Coast to Texas.
Their favorite h a u nts a r e oyster
bottoms in bays a n d l a g oons.
Spring and fa l l a re best.

Sti l l fi s h i n g w i t h c u t b l u e c r a b
i s best method . F i s h o n shel l bot
tom where tide flow is stro n g .
O t h e r good b a i t s a r e c l a m a n d
s h r i m p . S u rf t a c k l e b e s t for b i g
fi s h , b u t fresh-water g e a r i s fi n e
for s m a l l fi s h .

S I LV E R PERCH

are common
from New J e rsey to Texas i n
b a y s a nd lower reaches of riv
e rs. All yea r i n F l o r i d a .

Best m e t h o d is
w i t h s m a l l ba its
crab, or m u l let.
squids are good

S POTS occ u r i n b a y s a n d rivers

from N ew J ersey to Texas. Espe
c i a l l y a b u n d a nt i n C h esapeake
Bay. Most a ctive i n s u m mer.

Sti l l fi s h i n g o n bottom with sma l l

ba its o f shrimp, c l a m , o r sea
worms is best method . U se very
l i g h t tackle; size 6 hooks.

CORBINAS,

closely rel a ted to

Atla ntic w h i t i n g s, a r e found in
shore i n the Pacific from Pt. Con
ception south to Gulf of C a l i
fornia. Sandy s u rf is b e s t . A l so
bays on s a n d bottom in water
2 to 20 feet d e e p . A l l year.

Best method is s u rf fishing with

ba its of sea worms, cra bs, clam,
or shrimp. Bottom fishing i n bays
around o l d piers a l so good . C a r
b i n e s w i l l strike sma l l jigs a n d
sq u ids fished slowly a l o n g bot
tom. Use l i g h t tackle.

W H ITI N G S

S u rf fi s h i n g with ba its of sand

b u g s, s h r i m p, or crab is t h e best
method . Where s u rf i s l ig ht, use
fresh-water tackle. In heavy surf
or where l o n g casts a r e needed,
heavier sq u i d d i n g g e a r m a y be
n ecessa ry. W h i t i n g s strike small
j i gs a n d sq u i d s b u m pe d slowly
a l o n g bottom.

are represented by

th ree species. Northern Whitings

range from Cape Cod to the
V i r g i n i a C a pes. South e r n Wh it
i n g s are fou n d from Maryland
to F l o rida's east coast. Silver
W h i t i n g s a r e common o n l y o n
t h e G u l f C o a s t . F ish of t h e su rf
a n d m ost active in s u m m e r .

34

H OW AND WHY

bottom fi s h i n g
or c u t s h r i m p,
S ma l l jigs a n d
fished d e e p .

CHANNEL BASS
Sciaenops ocellata
Av., 5-1 0 lbs.
Common, 20-40 lbs.
Reaches, 80 lbs.

BLACK DRUM
Pogonias cromis
Av., 36 lbs.
Common, 30-50 lbs.
Reaches, 1 40 lbs.

SILVER PERCH
Bairdella chrysura
Av., % lb.
Common, V2 lb.
Reaches, 1 I b.

SPOT
Leiostomus xanthurus
Av., % lb.
Common, V2 lb.
Reaches, 1 V2 lbs.

CORBINA
Men ticirrh us undulatus
Av., % -1 lb.
Common, 1-2 1bs.
Reaches, 8 lbs.

NORTHERN WHITING
Menticirrhus saxatilis
Av., l ib.
Common, 1 % -2 lbs.
Rea ches, 3 lbs.

35

WHERE AN D WHEN
TAUTOGS

r a n g e from Maine
to South C a r o l i n a o n rocky
shores and a r o u n d jetties, wrecks,
a n d o l d p i l i n g s . Most p l e n tiful
from C a p e Cod to C a pe May,
they bite best i n s p r i n g a n d fal l .

Still fis h i n g o n bottom with ba its

of g reen crab, fi d d l e r c r a b , sea
worms, g rass s h r i m p, or c l a m is
best method . Use m e d i u m -we i g h t
t a c k l e , a s t h ese fish d ive i nto
rocks l i k e g ro u pers.

C U N NERS

a re f o u n d f r o m Lab
r a d o r to N e w Je rsey inshore
a r o u n d d ocks, p i l i n g s, a n d jet
ties. A lso offshore to d e pths of
200 feet. Often f o u n d with Tau
tog s. Spring to fa l l .

Bottom fishing with s m a l l baits of

cut seaworms, clam, o r lobster is
best method . Use s m a l l hook (size
4 m a x i m u m ) and fresh-water
tackle to overcom e their b a it
stea l i n g skil l .

CAL I FO R N I A SHEEPHEAD,
often c a l l e d S h e e p s h e a d , occ u r
f r o m Monterey Bay to G u l f of
Ca l ifor n i a the yea r rou n d . Fish
around k e l p beds, m ussel beds,
a n d rocky sh o res. Enter very shal
low water o n h i g h tides.

Best method i s sti l l fi s h i n g o r

slaw d rift i n g with baits o f m us
sel , c l a m , s h r i m p, o r c r a b . Ready
biters.
C a lifo r n i a
Sheephead
sometimes take l ive fi s h e s o r
t r o l l e d s t r i p ba its o r j i g s . D e e p
fi s h i n g u s u a l l y best.

ROC K F I S H ES, o r Scorpion

fishes, a r e an i m porta n t f a m ily,
with some 56 species o n the Pa
cific Coast. The Bocaccio ranges
from B r itish C o l u m bia to San
Diego in water d e pths of 300
feet a n d over . The Ol ive Rock
fish ra n g es from San Francisco
to San Q u e n t i n Bay in s h a l l ow
water, a r o u n d k e l p beds.

Best method is sti l l fi s h i n g with

ba its of l ive o r dead fish, o r m us
sel, c l a m , s h r i m p, or st r i p b a its.
Larger, d ee p-water species, l i k e
Bocaccia, p r e f e r b a its of s m a l l
m a c k e r e l , h e r r i n g , o r other s m a l l
fi s h . Rockfishes o f s h a l low waters
prefer m o l l usks o r c r u stace a n s,
b u t w i l l hit spoons a n d j i g s s l ow
ly trol led .

the Pacific Coast. Seape rches

g e n e ra l l y occ u r i n comparatively
d e e p water o r along rocky
sho res; s u rfperches a re found off
s a n d y beaches. B a r red S u rfperch
roam C a l ifornia's sandy s u rfs
south to San Diego a l l y e a r .
Wh ite Sea perch ra n g e from V a n
c o u v e r to S a n Diego i n bays a n d
i n l ets the year r o u n d .

Ba r red S u rfperch a n d other s u rf

perches are c a u q h t best by surf
casti n g with b a its of clam, m us
sel, rockworms, o r s a n d crabs
an
sma l l
hooks.
F r e sh-water
tackle is a d e q uate, but heavier
g e a r m ust b e u sed sometimes to
m a ke lang casts to reach fi s h .
W h ite S e a p e r c h a n d ather sea
perches are c a u g h t by sti l l fi s h
i n g with s m a l l baits of s a n d
w o r m s , s h r i m p , m usse l , or c l a m .

SEA PERC H ES a n d SU RF
PERCH ES a re im porta n t fish on

36

H OW AN D WHY

CUNNER
Ta ufog olabrus adspersus
Av., V4 l b .
Common, %-1 lb.
Reaches, 2 l bs.

Pime/omefopon p ulchrum
Av., 2-4 l bs.
Common, 5 - 1 0 lbs.
Reaches, 25 lbs.

OLIVE ROCKFISH
Sebastodes pa ucispinis
Av., 2-3 lbs.
Common, 5-8 l bs.
Reaches, 18 lbs.

Amph.i stich us a rg e n feus

Av., V2 l b .
Common, 1 l b .
Reaches, 2 V2 I bs.

37

WH ERE AN D WHEN
POLLAC K

r a n g e from Nova
Scotia to long I s l a n d i n o p e n
b ay s a n d offs h o r e to d e pths o f
over 1 00 f e e t . S p r i n g a n d f a l l
best, b u t north o f C a p e Cod,
P o l l a c k are active a l l s u m mer.

I n offshore waters bottom fish

i n g with baits of clam, squid, o r
h e r r in g is best m e t h o d . I n shore,
use s p i n n i n g , bait cast i n g , o r fly
fishing with bucktai ls, p l u g s, o r
stre a m e r flies.

COD occ u r i n the N orth Atl a ntic

south to M a ry l a n d . A l l year north
of Cape C o d ; winter south. Tom
cods, s m a l l e r, enter bays from
Nova Scotia to Va., fa l l to s p r i n g .

Best method for Cod is b ottom

fi s h i n g offshore with ba its of
c l a m , sq u id , or h e r r i n g . For Tom
cod, stil l fishing with s m a l l ba its
of c l a m ; seaworms best.

H A D DOCK

ra n g e f r o m Nova
Scotia to N e w J e rsey in deep
water (over 1 00 feet) offshore.
Found all y e a r o n h a rd bottom.

Most p ractic a l method is h a n d .

l i n i n g w i t h heavy s i n kers a n d
ba its o f c l a m o r sq u i d . M o r e a
commercial t h a n a sport fi s h .

S I LV E R H A K E S

range from
N ova Scotia to New J e rsey, com
ing inshore i n fall and early
wi nter. Active all summer i n cold
waters n o rt h of C a pe Cod.

Best m ethod is bottom fi s h i n g

w i t h ba its of si lverside m i n nows
or san d l a u nces. Strip b a its,
bucktails, and metal s q u i d s a re
effective if fished very d e e p .

FLAT F I S H E S are i m porta n t o n

b o t h U . S . coasts. S u m m e r F l o u n
ders occ u r from C a p e Cod to
H a tteras, i n s h o r e i n s u m m e r . A
so u t h e r n form is f o u n d from
Virg i n i a to Texas. Winter F l o u n
d e rs, f r o m N ova Scotia to Hal
teras over m u d flats in bays.
S p r i n g best. Sta rry F l o u nd e rs
occ u r a l l y e a r from Alaska to
Pt. Conception in i n s i d e waters.
C a l if. H a l i b ut, from Pt. Concep
l i o n to Mexico. S u m m e r best.

Best m e t h o d for S u m m e r F l o u n
d ers is d rifti ng w h i le d ra g g i n g
b a i t s of l ive k i l l ifi s h a l o n g bot
t o m . Deepfished b u c kta i l s are
g ood l u res. Winter F l o u n d e rs
c a u g h t best by sti l l fi s h i n g with
seaworms, c l a ms, o r m u ssels.
Chum of crushed m ussels attracts
fi s h . Starry F l o u n d e rs taken by
d riftin g bottom with strip ba its
o r l ive m i n n ows. C a l ifornia H a l i
b u t u s u a l l y c a u g h t d rift i n g with
l ive fish or strip ba its.

WINTER FLOUNDER
Pseudopleuronectes american us
Av., Y2 -1 Y2 1bs.
Common, 2-3 lbs.
Reaches, 5 l bs.

38

H OW A N D W H Y

POLLACK
Pollachius virens
Av., 2-5 lbs.
Common, 5-1 0 lbs.
Reaches, 40 lbs.

COD
Gadus morhua
Av., 5-1 0 lbs.
Common, 20-25 lbs.
Reaches, 200 lbs.

TOM COD
Microgadus tomcod
Av., V4 1b.
Common, Y2 lb.
Reaches, 1 lb.

HADDOCK
Me/anogrammus aeg/efinus
Av., 2-3 lbs.
Common, 4-6 lbs.
Reaches, 25 lbs.

STARRY FLOUNDER
Platichthys stellatus
Av., 1-31bs.
Common, 4-6 lbs.
Reaches, 20 lbs.

SILVER HAKE
Merluccius bilinearis
Av., %-1 lb.
Common, 1-2 lbs.
Reaches, 6 lbs.
CALI FORNIA HALIBUT
Paralichthys californicus
Av., 5-1 0 lbs.
Common, 1 5-30 lbs.
Reaches, 7 5 I bs.

39

H OW A N D WHY

W H ERE A N D W H E N
GREAT BARRACU DAS

roam
Keys
they
H a t
best.

Best method is tro l l i n g strip b a its

from sma l l boats. D rifting with
l ive fish baits and cast i n g or
trol l i n g spoons, p l ugs, and b uck
ta i l s a re a l s o g o o d .

B A R RAC U D A S

from Pt. C o nception to

C a l if o r n i a
in
offsh o re
A l l y e a r off Baja C a l i
spring to fa l l in C a l if.

Drifting o r st i l l fi s h i n g with l ive

sardines a n d a n c h ovies or strip
ba its is best method . Feather jigs
and metal sq u i d s often effective,
either cast or tro l l e d .

DOL P H I N r a n g e over the w a r m

s e a s o f t h e world i n b l u e water.
P l e ntiful in Gulf Strea m from
H a tteras south. f a i r l y common
off Baja C a l iforn i a . Often near
floating seaweed or d e b r i s . A l l
yea r w h e re w a t e r stays w a r m .

Best method is trol l i n g w i t h strip

ba its, b uckta i ls, o r spoons. O nce
sc hool is located, keep a hooked
fish i n water and cast to school
with jigs or p l u g s o n light tackle.
When fi s h i n g for l a rg e fish, use
l ig h t tro l l ing g e a r.

COBIA a re f o u n d i n shore a n d
offshore i n G u l f a n d o n Atl a n tic
seaboard north to C hesapeake
Boy i n summer. In winter, near
e dge of G u l f Stre a m off F l o rida
Keys. They l i ke shade of b u oys,
p i l i n g s, and l i g h t h o u ses.

Sti l l fi s h i n g with l ive crabs or

sma l l fi s h is best method . F loat
m a y be used to keep bait h i g h,
or bait may be d rifted with tide
o n slack l i n e . Spot casti n g to fi sh
with l a rg e b u ckta i l s and feathers
is exciti n g tech n i q u e .

L I N GC O D occ u r from Alaska to

Pt. Conception, u s u a l l y offshore
i n deep water. They enter s h a l
low i n s h ore w a t e r for spawn i n g
i n w i n t e r months.

B e s t m e t h o d i n s h a l l ow water is
slow trol l i n g with strip ba its or
feather jigs. In deep water, bot
tom fi s h i n g with l ive fi s h , s h r i m p,
or sq uid baits is best.

SEA CAT F I S H r a n g e from Vir

g i n ia Ia G u l f of Mexico off
beaches a n d i n bays a n d rivers.
Ofte n i n brackish water. All yea r
in F l a . ; s u m m e r e l sewhere.

Bottom fis h i n g with a l m ost a n y

n a t u r a l b a i t is b e s t method . C u t
fi s h , s h r i m p prefe r r e d . U s u a l l y
considered pests, Sea C a t fi s h w i l l
hit dee p-fished j i g s .

inshore waters of Florida

and
B a h a m a s; offshore,
r a n g e G u lf a n d n o rth to
teras in Atl a ntic. S u m m e r

PAC I F I C
range
Baja
waters.
f o r n i a;

GAFFTOPSA I L CAT F I S H

are
known f r o m H a t t e r a s to f l orida
i n Atl a n tic, b u t are most a b u n
d a n ! i n Gu lf. C o m m o n l y on s a n d
bottom i n s u rf a n d bays. S u m mer.

40

Best

m e thod

is

bottom

f i sh i n g

w i th c u t m u l l e t or shr i m p. S l ow
drif t i n g

prefera b l e to st i l l

f i sh

i n g . E i ther b u c k ta i l o r worm j i g s

o r e b e st art i f i c i o l s.

GREAT BARRACUDA
Sphyrae n a barracuda
Av., 3 -7 l bs.
C o m m o n , 1 0-20 l bs.
Reach es, 70 lbs.

PACIFIC BARRACUDA
Sphyraena argentea
Av., 2-3 l bs.
C o m m o n, 4-6 lbs.
Reaches, 12 lbs.

DOLPHIN
Coryphaena hipp urus
Av., 2-4 lbs.
C o mmon , 1 0- 1 5 lbs.
Reaches, 7 5 lbs.

COBIA
Rachycentron canadus
Av., 8-1 0 l bs.
Common, 20-30 lbs.
Reach es, 1 00 l bs.

LINGCOD
Ophiodon elongatus
Av., 8-1 2 l bs.
Common, 1 5-20 l bs.
Reaches, 70 l bs.

SEA CATFISH
Galeichthys Felis
Av., % - 1 l b .
C o m m o n , 1 -1 % 1bs.
Reaches, 3 lbs.

GAFROPSAI L CATFISH
Bagre marin us
Av., 1 -2 l bs.
C o m m o n , 2-3 lbs.
Reaches, 8 lbs.

41

WHERE AND WHEN

SPAD E F I S H

r a n g e from C h esa
peake
Bay to Texa s, south
t h r o u g h the C a r i b b ea n . Prima r
ily cora l reef fi s h , but a l so l i ke
oyster
bottoms,
p i l i ngs, a n d
wrecks. A b u n d a n t nea r o i l r i g s
i n G u lf. A l l year f r o m F l a . s o u t h .

Best m e t h o d is sti l l fi s h i n g w i t h
sma l l ba its of c l a m, s h r i m p , o r
c r a b . U s e r i g a n d tec h n i q u e t h a t
have b e e n d escribed for g r u nts
{ p a g e 28). Spadefish fi g h t h a rd,
b u t fresh-water tackle is f o u n d
to be a d e q uate.

TRIGGERFISH

occur i n Florida
a n d o n G u l f C o a st, stray i ng
north to Hatteras i n s u m m e r . On
coral reefs a n d a r o u n d wrecks
and p i l i ngs. A l l year i n F l orida
a n d s o u t h e r n G u lf.

Sti l l fi s h i n g o r d rift i n g with

ba its of fiddler crab, s h ri m p, or
cut fish is best method . F is h a re
u s u a l l y b u t n o t a l ways n e a r bot
tom. S m a l l b u c kta i l s a re effec
tive a rtificia l s .

PORC U P I N E F I S H a re fo u n d
f r o m F l o r i d a a n d B a h a m a s south
to West I n d i es over coral reefs
and h a rd bottom. All year.

Sti l l fi s h i n g o r slow d rifti n g w i t h

deep-fished
b a i t s of
shrimp,
s p i n y lo bster pieces, or c u t fi s h
is b e s t m e t h o d .

P U FFERS r a n g e from C a p e Cod

to Texas, t h e northern form b
ing found south to F l o r i d a ,
where
southern
form
takes
over. G r a ssy bays, shell bottoms.

B e s t method is sti l l fi s h i n g o r
slow d r ift i n g with s m a l l h o o k s
a n d b a i l s of c u t s h r i m p o r c r a b .
Voracious t h o u g h s m a l l-m o u t h e d ,
P u ff e r s s t r i k e b u c ktai l s rea d i l y .

TOA D F I S H

are found i n bays

a n d rivers from New J e rsey to
t h e Gulf and south to Ca rib
bea n . S u m m e r north of F lu r i d a .

Bottom fi s h i n g with a n y n a t u r a l
bait is effective i n catc h i n g th i s
n u isance fi s h . J i g s a re f a i r l y
good a rtificials.

SOUTH E R N SEA RO B I N S oc
c u r over G u l f Coast and north in
Atla ntic to Hatteras. C a r o l i n a
Sea R o b i n s r a n g e n o rt h to N.J .

Best method is b otto m fi s h i n g

with b a i t s of c r a b o r s h r i m p .
Bottom-b u m ped
bucktails and
feathers a re good artificials.

HO U N D FI S H r a n g e t h r o u g h
the C a r i b b e a n a n d north to B a
h a m a s a n d s o u t h e r n F l a . A l l yea r
over s h a l l ow offshore b a n ks.

C a sting with strip ba its o r s m a l l

b u c kt a i l s is best m e t h o d . U s e
s p i n n i n g tackle, s m a l l h o oks, a n d
lig h t, b r a id e d w i r e lead ers.

N EEDLEFISH

F l y fis h i n g with small strea mers

is best method . Fish a l so h i t
s m a l l s p i n n i n g b uckta i ls, p o r k
r i n d s, a n d str i p b a its.

a re c o m m o n i n
F l o rida a n d the G u l f Coast,
stra y i n g n o r t h to New Jersey in
s u m m e r . Nea r s u rface, i n s h o r e .

42

HOW AND WHY

faber
l ib.
2-3 lbs.
Reaches, 15 lbs.

1 . SPADEFISH
Chaetodipterus
Av.,
Common,

2. TRIGGERFISH

lb.
lbs.
Reaches, lbs.

Batistes carolinensis
Av., % - 1
Common, 1 - 1 Y2
3

3 . PORCUPINE FISH

lbs.
, lbs.
Reaches, lbs.

Diodon hystrix
Av., 1-2
Common 3-5
20

4. NORTHERN PUFFER

V4 1b.
lb.
Reaches, lb.

Spheroides maculatus
Av.,
Common, Y2
1
5.

TOADFISH

lb.
, lb.
Reaches, lbs.

Opsa n us t a u
A v . , 114-%
Common 1
2
6.

SOUTHERN SEAROBIN

lb.
lb.
Reaches, lbs.

Prinotus tribulus
Av., '.4-%
Common, 1
2 Y2

7. HOUNDFISH

lb.; feet
2-3 lbs.; feet
Reaches, lbs.; feet

Strongylura raphidoma
Av., 1
2
Common,
3-4
10
5

8. NEEDLEFISH

lb.;
lb.; feet
hes,
3 lbs.; 4 fee t
Rea
c
.::.
!!li

I:::=:!
Strongylura marina
Av., 114
1 5 in.
C o m m o n , Y2
1 Y2

43

H OW A N D W H Y

W HERE A N D WHEN
MAKO SH ARKS

r a n g e over
w a r m , d e e p waters of both
Atl a n tic and Pacific but are no
where a b u n d a n t . Most common
a r o u n d N e w Zea l a n d . F r e q u e nt
l y see n in G u l f Strea m , sometimes
near schools of King Mackerel,
o n which they prey.

Best method is t r o l l i n g b a its of

whole r i g g e d fish such a s mack
er e l or m u l let with fairly h e avy
tackle (80- to 1 30-po u n d test
l i n e ) . U s u a l l y c a u g h t b y acci d e n t
wh e n trol l i n g for t u n a , m a r l i n,
or swor d fi s h . Basking Makos oc
casio n a l l y take b a its.

H A M M ERHEAD

Best method is sti l l fi s h i n g on

bottom with l a r g e baits of cut
fi s h and heavy tackle. Bloody or
o i l y fish l i ke bonito o r tuna m a ke
best b a its. N i g h t fi s h i n g most
prod uctive.

S H A RKS

(five species) a r e fou n d i n the

Atl a ntic a n d t h e Pacific. Very
common i n l a r g e pa sses a l o n g
G u l f C o a s t . Oft e n attack hooked
Ta r p o n . All year i n South.

TIGE R S H A R KS,

very
and
Very
Gu lf
Gulf

Best method is d r ift i n g i n or

near Gulf Strea m with l a rge,
u n weig hted cut baits of b o n ito,
t u n a , or other b l oody fi s h . Use
1 30-po u n d
test
line,
chain
l e a d e r, 1 6/0 h o o k , 1 2 /0 reel .

SA N D S H ARKS a re fo u n d on
the Atl a ntic seaboard from New
J ersey and south to Bra z i l . All
year i n South.

S t i l l fi s h i n g at n i g h t o n fa ir l y
s h a l l ow flats with b a its of cut
fi sh is best meth o d . Tackle may
be relatively l i g ht.

DOG F I S H a re com m o n i n the

Atlantic. S p i n y Dogfish occ u r i n
shore from N ova Scotia to N o rth
Ca rol i n a . Smooth Dogfish range
south to F l o r i d a .

Bottom fishing i n s u m m e r with

b aits of crab, s h r i m p , o r sq u id is
a s u re way to hook these n u i
sances. They are m a j o r pests on
the m i d d l e Atlantic se a b o a r d .

STI N G RAYS a re c o m m o n ove r

the e n tire Atla ntic seaboard
south of C a pe C o d . The southern
form ranges n o rth to H a tteras;
the northern form to C a p e Cod.

Pests rather t h a n g a m efi s h , Sti n g

R a y s m a y be ca u g h t a t a n y time
w h e n bottom fis h i n g . Best baits
a r e c l a m , crab, o r s h r i m p , b u t
c u t fi sh w i l l a l so c a t c h t h e m .

SKATES of various s pecies are

found i n t h e Atlantic from Nova
Scotia to F l o r i d a , but most occ u r
o n l y n orth o f H atte ras. I n shore
i n s u rf and bays.

Very e a s i l y c a u g h t b y b ottom
fi s h i n g with a l m o st any ba it.
Skates a r e
conside red
pests
rather t h a n g a m efi s h . S u rf fish
ing i s probably "best" method .

a l ways
d a n g e rous, r a n g e i n shore
offshore i n a l l w a r m s e a s .
c o m m o n off F l orida and
Coast, especia l l y i n the
Stre a m . Active all year.

44

MAKO SHARK
/surus gla ucus
Av., 1 00-1 50 lbs.
Common, 300-500 l bs.
Reaches, 1 ,000 lbs.; 1 2 ft.

HAMMERHEAD SHARK
Sphyrn a zygaena
Av., 1 00- 1 50 Jbs.
Common, 300-600 l bs.
Reaches, 1 ,400 lbs.; 1 3 ft.

TI GER SHARK
Galeocerdo cuvieri

Av., 400-600 l bs.

Common, 900- 1 ,500 Jbs.
Reaches, 2,000 lbs.; 1 B ft.

SAND SHARK
Garcharius taurus
Av., 30-50 lbs.
Common, 1 00 lbs.
Reaches, 400 l bs.; 1 0 ft.

SMOOTH DOGFISH
M ustelus canis
Av., 4-7 J bs.
Common, 1 0- 1 2 lbs.
Reaches, 30 Jbs.

SOUTHERN STINGRAY
Dasyatis american a
Av., 1 0-20 l bs.
Common, 35 J bs.
Reaches, 1 00 l bs.

LITTLE SKATE
Raja erinacea
Av., 3-4 l bs.
Common, B Jbs.
Reaches, 15 lbs.

45

SA L T -

AND

F R ES H - W A T E R

WHERE A N D WHEN

KING SALMON are found in

bays and rivers of Pacific Coast
from Monterey to Alaska.
Spawning runs into fresh water
occur in summer and early fall.
C H U M SAL M O N range along
the Pacific Coast from northern
California to Alaska, ascending
rivers short distances to spawn.
Summer and early fall best.
SOC KEYE SAL M O N occur on
the Pacific Coast from northern
California to Aleutian Islands.
Common about islands and in
swift tidewoys. Enters fresh
water to spawn in summer.
COHO SALMON range from
northern California to Alaska in
bays and river mouths. Like
other salmons, enter fresh water
to spawn. Runs occur in late
summer prior to fall spawning.
H U M PBACK SALMON are
found on the Pacific Coast from
northern California to north
western Alaska. Spawning runs
in September and October.
ATLAN T I C SAL M O N ascend
the cold, pure rivers on Atlantic
Coos! from Maine north through
the Maritime Provinces. Also in
northwestern Europe. Spring to
early fall best.
LAN DLOCKED SAL M O N , a
form of Atlantic Salmon, are
found in cold lakes and streams
from New York to Canada and
Labrador. Spring and fall best.

46

F ISH ES

HOW AN D W H Y

Best method in salt-water bays

is deep trolling with spoons or
spinners. Drifting with live boils
also effective. Sometimes taken
on small spinners in fresh water.
Trolling with spoons or spinners
accounts for a few Chum Salm
on, but these fish are not easily
caught. Still fishing in bays with
baits of crabmeat best.
Slow, deep trolling in tideways
with spoons, jigs, or strip baits
is good method. Best is "mooch
ing," a technique of trolling
strip bait upward from bottom
at about 4 5 angle (p. 1 23 ) .
Best technique is casting a
weighted strip bait, allowing to
sink, then retrieving upward at
an angle. Slow trolling with
spoons fair. Fly fishing effective
in fresh water.
Best method is slow trolling
with strip baits, crawfish tails,
or brightly colored jigs. Small
flashy spinning lures are effec
tive just before spawning runs.
Only method is highly special
ized fly fishing. Since fish do not
feed on spawning runs, flies ore
designed to appeal to their curi
osity or arouse their anger.
Elaborate fly patterns are used.
Best method is trolling with
streamer flies, spoons, or spin
ners. In midsummer, deep troll
ing is necessary to reach fish.
Fly casting effective in spring.
o

KING SALMON
O n corhynchus tshawytscha
Av., 1 0- 1 5 1bs.
Common, 20-30 lbs.
Reaches, 1 00 lbs.

CHUM SALMON
Oncorhynch us keta
Av., 6-8 l bs.
C o m m o n , 1 0- 1 5 l bs.
Reaches, 30 lbs.

SOCKEYE SALMON
On corhynchus nerka
Av., 3-5 l bs.
C o m m o n, 1 0 lbs.
Reaches, 15 lbs.

HUMPBACK SALMON
O n corhynchus g orbuscha
Av., 3-4 1bs.
C o m mon, 5-6 l bs.
Reaches, 1 0 I bs.

COHO SALMON
O ncorhynchus kisutch

Av., 5-1 0 l bs.

Common, 12-15 lbs.
Reaches, 30 I bs.

ATLANTIC SALMON
Salmo salar
Av., 1 0- 1 2 1bs.
Common, 1 5-25 lbs.
Reaches, 60 l bs.

LANDLOCKED SALMON
Salmo salar
Av., 2-4 lbs.
Common, 6-8 lbs.
Reaches, 2 0 l bs.

47

F R E S H -WAT E R
W HERE AN D WHEN

originally na
tive to northeastern U.S. and
eastern Canada, have been in
troduced into streams and ponds
over northern half of country.
Most active spring and fall.
B ROWN TROUT, introduced to
North America from Europe,
occur in cool lakes and streams
coast to coast but can tolerate
warmer water than Brook Trout.
GOLDEN TROUT are found in
the High Sierras at altitudes of
1 0,000 feet and over. Once na
tive to California, they like cold,
deep lakes. Summer best.
C U TTH ROAT TROUT range
from the Rocky Mountains west
to the Pacific from Alaska to
California. Found in lakes and
streams, often enter salt water.
DOLLY VARDEN TROUT are
found in coastal streams from
northern California to north
western Alaska. Migrate sea
ward in spring, inland in fall.
RAI N BOW TROUT, native to
western North America, have
been introduced into cold lakes
and streams over much of U.S.
Enter salt water on Pacific Coast.
Spring and summer.
LA KE TROUT are found in
cold, deep lakes of northern
U.S. and Canada. In summer
they go deep {often to 1 00 ft.
or more) to cold water (45F.).
Feed in shallows spring and fall.

B R O O K TROUT,

48

F I S H ES
H OW AND W H Y

Fly casting with wet flies, dry

flies, or streamers is most popular
method. Best in early spring is
bait fishing with worms or small
minnows. large Brook Trout
strike spoons, small plugs.
Best method is dryfly fishing,
for these trout are active surface
feeders. Wet flies, streamers also
good. Worms and minnows best
baits in early spring.
Best method is fly casting with
wet flies, streamers, and small
spinners. Dry flies are good in
late summer. Best natural baits
ore smal minnows.
In streams, wet- or dry-fly fish
ing is best. In lakes, bait cast
ing, spinning, or trolling with
spoons, spinners, or plugs is
effective. Small minnows good.
Best methods are bait casting or
spinning with spoons or spinners.
Wet flies and streamers good for
small fish. Best baits are small,
live fishes.
Best method for streams is fly
casting with wet or dry flies and
streamers. Bait fishing with
worms and salmon eggs also
good. Trolling with spoons or
spinners best in lakes.
Usual method is deep trolling,
using spoons and wire line. In
early spring and fall fly fishing,
bait casting, and spinning are
feasible. Caught through ice
with live or cut fish baits.

BROOK TROUT
Salve/in us fontinalis
Av., 1f4-112 l b .
Common, 1 -2 l bs.
Reaches, 1 0 lbs.

BROWN TROUT
Salmo fruita
Av., 112 - 1 V2 l bs.
Common, 2-4 lbs.
Reaches, 30 l bs.

GOLDEN TROUT
Salmo ag uabonita
Av., V2 l b .
Common, 1 lb.
Reaches, 1 0 lbs.

CUTTHROAT TROUT
S a lmo clarkii
Av., 112 - 1 112 l b s .
Common, 2-3 l bs.
Reaches, 40 l bs.

DOLLY VARDEN TROUT

Salve/in us malmo
Av., 5-7 l bs.
C o m m o n , 1 0 - 1 5 lbs.
Reaches, 3 0 lbs.

RAINBOW TROUT
Salmo gairdneri
Av., 112 - 2 lb s .
Common, 4-8 lb s.
Reaches, 3 5 lb s.

LAKE TROUT
Salveli n us namaycush
Av., 5-1 0 lb s .
Common, 1 5-20 l bs.
Reaches, 60 lb s.

49

WHERE AND W H E N

BASS are
found in lakes, streams, and
rivers in the U.S., Canada, and
Mexico. Slow streams and weedy
lakes are best. Sometimes enter
brackish water. Most active at
dawn and dusk - all year in
South, summer to fall in North.
SMALLMOUTH BASS prefer
clear, cool rivers, streams, and
lakes. Found from Canada to
southern U.S., except in Gulf
slates. Most active early summer
and fall; feed day and night.
S POTT E D BASS, found from
Ohio and West Virginia to east
ern Texas, prefer deep pools
and slow streams in North, favor
clear fast streams in southern
range. Fishing best in fall.
S U N F I S H ore common. Princi
pal species is Bluegill, found in
every stale. Bluegills, Pumpkin
seeds, and Longears prefer lakes
and ponds but also occur in
streams. Rock Bass are found in
rocky streams and cool lakes.
Wormouths like sluggish c reeks.
Spotted Sunfish and Redears
prefer warm cypress lakes. Red
breasts like clear streams.
CRAPPIES hove been widely in
troduced into waters over much
of the U. S. Black Crappies like
clear water; White Crappies tol
erate silt. Spring and fall best.
L A RG E M OUTH

Bait costing, fly fishing, and

spinning with many types of
plugs, spoons, spinners, flies,
popping bugs, pork rinds, and
plastic earthworms. Weedless
lures needed for weedy shallows.
Best natural baits are live shin
ers, grasshoppers, and frogs.
In streams, best methods are fly
fishing and spinning with spin
ner flies or bucktoils; also bait
fishing with live hellgrammites,
minnows, worms. In lakes, bait
casting or spinning with plugs.
Fly fishing with small surface
bugs, spinner flies, or streamers
recommended. Spinning with
small plugs and spoons also
good. Best natural baits ore
earthworms, c rayfish, minnows.
Best method for most sunfish is
still fishing with baits of worms,
insects, or crayfish. Use a light
cane pole, monofilament line,
and small hook. A bobber to
hold the bait off bottom and to
signal bites odds to the fun. Fly
fishing with wet flies, dry flies,
or small popping bugs is excel
lent. Ice fishing is also productive
for taking Bluegills.
Try still fishing or slow trolling
with small live minnows. Fly cast
ing and spinning with streamers,
spoons, spi41 ners or jigs are also
good methods.

BLACK CRAPPIE

Av., Y2 lb.
Common, 1 lb.
Reaches, 3 lbs.

Pomoxis nigromacu/atus

50

HOW A N D WHY

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Micropferus salmoides
Av., 1 -2 Y2 lbs.
Common, 4-7 lbs.
Reaches, 18 l bs.

SMALLMOUTH BASS

Micrapferus dolomieui
Av., 1 l b .
Common, 2 - 4 l bs.
Reaches, 1 0 l bs.

SPOTTED BASS

Micropferus puncfulatus
Av., Y2 l b .
Cammon, 1 l b .
Reaches, 2 l bs.
BLUEGILL

Lepamis macrochirus
Av., 14-% l b .
Cammon, % - 1 l b .
Reach es, 3 lbs.

Lepamis gibbosus

Chaen obryffus g ulosus

114- 1 l b .

14-1 Y2 lbs.

Lepomis mega/otis

Lepamis puncfafus

1k1 l b .

Ya-Y2 l b.

R O C K BASS

Ambloplifes rupesfris

Lepomis a uritus

1/4-2 l bs.

Y4- 1 lb.

51

WHERE A N D WHEN

are found in
lakes and streams in Canada
and the Great Lakes region,
south through the Mississippi
Valley to eastern Texas. Schools
often feed at surface. Spring
and summer best.
YELLOW BASS live in rivers,
lakes, and streams through the
Mississippi Valley to the Gulf
Coast. Most abundant in south
ern areas. Usually form large
schools in spring and summer.
W H I TE PERCH occur in streams
or brackish rivers and bays
from Maine to South Carolina.
Common in fresh-water lakes in
New England, where they bite
well all summer. Most active in
spring and fall in Chesapeake
Bay and tributaries.
YELLOW PERCH are found in
most fresh waters along the At
lantic seaboard south to the
Carolinas, in the Great Lakes
region and Mississippi Valley.
Prefer lakes, but live in tidal
rivers, creeks, and lazy inland
streams. Active all year.
WAL LEYES, native to the Great
Lakes and rivers of northeastern
U.S., have been introduced into
clear rivers and firm-bottomed,
cool lakes across the country.
They are night feeders, most ac
tive in spring and fall.
SAUGERS are common in lower
Great Lakes, TVA lakes, and
western Appalachian rivers.
Spring and fall are best.
W H ITE BASS

52

HOW A N D W H Y

In spring, still fishing with live

minnows or worms is best. In
summer, when White Bass are in
schools and feeding at surface,
try spinning, bait casting, and fly
fishing with spoons, spinners, or
streamer flies.
Still fishing with live minnows
or small crayfish is probably
best. Spinning and fly fishing
with small spoons, spinners, and
streamer flies are also good
methods, as for White Bass.
Best method is slow trolling
with minnow and spinner com
binations. After a school is lo
cated, still fishing with live min
nows or grass shrimps is best.
Al s o try fly fishing with spinner
flies or tiny spoons, and spin
ning with small jigs or spoons.
Still fishing with live minnows
works well, winter or summer.
Fly fishing with streamers, spin
ner flies, or spoons is very effec
tive in spring and fall. Spinning
with small spoons or jigs is
equally good. Jigging spoons
are effective for ice fishing.
Trolling at night with June bug
spinner trailing a night crawler,
eel, or minnow is best. Still fish
ing with live minnows is also
good. Also effective are bait cast
ing or spinning with deep-run
ning plugs, spoons, or jigs.
Best method is slow, deep troll
. ing with June bug spinner and
minnow combinations. Still fish
ing with minnows is also good.

W H I T E BASS

Roccus ch rysops
Av., l i b .
C o m m o n , 1 V2 -2 l bs.
Reaches, 5 lbs.

YELLOW BASS

Roccus interruptus
Av., V2 l b .
C o m m o n , 1 - 1 % l bs.
Reach es, 3 lbs.

W H I TE PERCH

Roccus american us
Av., V2 lb.
Common, 1 l b .
Reaches, 4 l bs.

Y E LLOW P E R C H

Pe rea f/avescen s
A v . , V2 l b .
Common, 1 - 1 V4 l bs.
Reaches, 3 lbs.

WALLEYE

Stizostedion vitre um
Av., 2-4 lbs.
Common, 7-1 0 lbs .
Reach es, 20 l bs.

SAUGER

Stizostedion c a n a dense
Av., V2 l b .
Common, 1 l b .
Reaches, 2 l bs.

53

WHERE AND WHEN

NORT H E R N P I K E

l ive i n s h a l
l o w w e e d y a re a s i n l a kes a n d
rivers i n C a n a d a a n d n o r t h e r n
U . S . west t h r o u g h Great lakes.
Bite all year; spring, fall best.

Best method is ba it costing with

w o b b l e r spoons or s p i n n e r- b u c k
ta i l c o m b i n a t i o n s .
P l u g s a l so
g o o d . L ive suckers a n d s m a l l
p e r c h o re best b a its.

M U S K E L L U N GE occ u r in C a n
a d a a n d i n n o r t h e r n U . S . from
New York to Great lakes a r e a .
A l s o i n stre a m s o n west side of
A p p a l a c h i a n s . Prefer weed beds
i n s h a l l ows of l a kes and r ivers.

Bo il cast i n g and tr ol l i n g with

Iorge spoons, p l u gs, and s p i n n e r
l u res ore best m e t h o d s. Repeated
cost i n g to l i ke l y spots is a d vis
a b l e . Sti l l fi s h i n g with l ive c h u bs
or suckers is a l so g o o d .

CHAI N P I C K E R E L

a r e com
mon i n weedy l a kes and q u iet
strea ms from M a i n e Ia F l o . a n d
t h r o u g h o u t Mississi p p i Vo l l ey.

B a i t c a st i n g a n d s p i n n i n g with
wobbling
spoons o r s p i n n e r
l u res a r e prefe r r e d . S t i l l fi s h i n g
w i t h l ive m i n n ows a l so g o o d .

SQUA W F I S H o re fo u n d i n
rivers of t h e P a c i fi c Coast f r o m
c e n t r a l C a l if . n o rt h w a r d . A b u n
d a n t in Owyhee Reservoir, Ore.

Best method is fly fi s h i n g with

wet fl ies, d r y fl ies, or strea m e rs.
S p i n n i n g o r b a it casting with
plugs a n d s p o o n s a l s o effective.

C REEK C H U B S

occ u r i n s m a l l
c l e a r stre a m s f r o m C a n a d a t o
Georg i a a n d west to t h e Ozorks.

Fly fi s h i n g with sm a l l wet o r

d r y fl i e s a n d sti l l fi s h i n g with
worms o re good methods.

FAL L F I S H

range from Mari

t i m e Provi nces to Y o . , i n strea ms.

Best method is fly fishing with

s m a l l wet fl ies and st reamers.

ARCT I C

GRAY L I N G S o re
fo u n d i n A l a ska a n d British Co
l u m b i a , i n stre a m s t r i b u t a r y to
Arctic Ocea n . S u bspecies f o u n d
i n Monta n o 's Mad ison a n d G a l
l a t i n rivers. C a u g h t a n y t i m e
strea m s a re i c e free.

Best method is fly fis h i n g . Wet

fl ies of sta n d a rd t r o u t patte r n s
o r e g o o d , b u t they s h o u l d b e
fished d e e p . Grayl i n g s take a fly
very g e ntly, a n d y o u m u st b e
a l ert to h o o k t h e m . D u r i n g fl y
h a t c h e s , d ry fl ies m a y w o r k we l l .

S H EE- F I S H

Best methods o r e b a i t costi n g

a n d s p i n n i n g with f a i r l y I o rg e
p l u g s, spoons, or spi n n ers. S t i l l
fi s h i n g with ba its of l ive suckers
o r o t h e r small fis h (to 12 i n .
l o n g ) a l so works wel l . Tro l l i n g
g ood n e a r r i v e r m o u t h s .

m ost
la kes
Bear)
enter
active
to k e n

54

HOW A N D W H Y

o re common i n
l a rg e stre a m s and some
(Great Sl ave and Great
i n Arctic C a n a d a . Ofte n
s a l t water. S h ee-fi sh o r e
y e a r r o u n d a n d m a y be
w h e n ever water is ice free.

NORTHERN P I K E

Esox lucius
Av., 4-5 lbs.
C o m mo n , 1 0- 1 5 l bs.
Reaches, 45 l b s .
MUSK ELLU N G E

Esox masq uinongy

Av., 8 - 1 0 lbs.
Common, 1 5-25 lbs.
Reaches, 70 lbs.
CHAIN P I CK E R E L

Esox niger
Av., l - l Y2 I bs.
C o mmo n , 2-3 lbs.
Reaches, 10 lbs.
SQUAWFISH

Ptychocheilus oregone nsis

Av., 2-4 lbs.
C o mmo n , 1 0- 1 5 l bs.
Reach es, 60 lbs.
CREEK C H U B

Semotilus atromaculatus
Y4- l l b .
FALLFI S H

Semotilus corpora/is
V.. -3 lbs.
ARCTIC GRAYL I N G

Thymallus arcticus
Av., l ib.
C o m m o n , 2 lbs.
Reaches, 3 l bs.
S H E E-FISH

Stenodus leucichthys
Av., 5 - 1 0 lbs.
C o m m o n , 2 0 -3 0 l b s .
Reaches, 50 lbs.

55

WHERE A N D WHEN
CATF I S H ,

n ative to m u c h of
the U . S . east of the Rockies,
have been esta b l ished i n the
West. C h a n n e l Catfish are com
m o n i n clear rivers on Atl a ntic
sea board
and
in
Mississ i p p i
Va l l ey. F l athead C a tfish occ u r i n
s l o w rivers f r o m t h e Great lakes
through the Mississ i p p i Va l l ey
a n d a re most a b u n d a n t in t h e
S o u t h . B l u e Catfi s h a re fo u n d
i n t h e Mississ i p p i a n d its t r i b u
taries, a lso i n other s l o w rivers
and
m u d -bottomed
l a kes of
Southeast. W h ite Catfish occur
i n rivers from New Yo r k to F l o r
ida a n d have been i ntrod u ced
successf u l l y in C a l if o r n i a wate rs.

Most catfi s h a r e c a u g h t by bot

tom fi s h i n g with n a t u r a l or spe
c i a l l y prepa red baits. Sti n k ba its
m a d e of cheese, d ried blood, o r
spoiled
chicken
entrails
a re
favorites. N i g h t fi s h i n g is g e ner
ally best. C h a n n el Catfish feed
more by sight a n d less by scent
tha n other catfish and often b ite
wel l i n daytime. They st rike
s u c h a rtificia l l u res a s spoons,
jigs, a n d spi n n e r fl i e s . Flathead
Catfish prefe r sti n k ba its, cut
fish, or crayfish t a i l s . Blue Cat
fish will bite c u t o r whole fish
a s we ll a s sti n k b a its. W h ite Cat
fi s h can be ca u g h t o n worms,
m i n nows, or crayfish.

B U L LHEA D S

Bottom fishing a t night is t h e

b e s t method for a l l b u l l heads.
They a l so bite wel l d u r i n g day
l i g h t hou rs i n roiled waters. Baits
m a y be cheese, sti n k ba its, or
eve n soap. T h e more c o n v e n
tional worms, d o u g h b a l ls, c ray
fish, o r m i n nows w i l l a lso catch
b u l l heads. Worms are probably
used the most.

a re po p u l a r over
m u c h of the U . S . Brown B u l l
h e a d s occ u r i n l a kes a n d stre a m s
from Ma i n e to F l a .; also i n G reat
Lakes region, O h i o Va l ley, and
C a l if. Black B u l l heads fo u n d
f r o m H u dson B a y s o u t h to G u l f
Coast. Y e l l o w B u l l h e a d s c o m m o n
from n o r t h e r n M i d west to At
l a n tic coast, south to F l a .

CARP a n d S U C KERS provide

sport for many a n g l e rs. C a r p
a r e fo u n d i n l a kes a n d strea ms
of all U.S. m a i n l a n d states ex
cept Maine and F l o r i d a . Suckers
occ u r i n clea r strea m s east of
Rockies. S p r i n g best.
BOW F I N S, GARS, and
OTHER ROU G H FJ S H are

found i n most rivers, streams, l a kes,

and c a n a ls. Few f u r n is h sport.
BOWFI N
Amio

calva

2-20 l bs .

56

H OW AND WHY

Best method f o r Carp is sti l l fi sh

i n g on bottom with d o u g h b a l l s
or special preparations w h ich
may be p u rc h a sed i n c a n s . Do
not use s i n k e r o r float. For s u c k
ers, sti l l fish on bottom with
worms. N i g ht fishing best.
Most roug h fi s h a re caught w h i l e
see k in g g a m e species. Bowfi ns,
g a rs, and sturgeons may be
ca u g ht with c u t b a its.

C H AN N E L CATFISH

/ctalurus p u n ctatus
Av., 23 l bs.
Cammon, 68 l bs.
Reaches, 55 lbs.
FLATHEAD CATF I S H

Pyladictis alivaris
Av., 24 lbs.
Common, 1 030 lbs.
Reaches, 1 00 l bs.
B L U E CATFISH

lctalurus furcalus
Av., 25 l bs.
Common, 1 525 l bs.
Reaches, 1 50 lbs.
W H ITE CAT F I S H

lctalurus cat us
Av., 1 2 1 bs.
Common, 3 l bs.
Reaches, 1 2 l bs.

BROWN BULLHEAD

/ctalurus neb ulosis

Av., 1,4.1 l b .
C o m m o n , 1 2 lbs.
Reaches, 5 l bs.
CARP

Cyprin us carpio
Av., 25 lb s.
Common, 1 01 5 l bs .
Reaches, 80 l bs.

COMMON SUCKER

Catostom us commerso n i
A v . , Y2 1 Y2 l bs.
C o m mon, 23 l bs.
Reaches, 6 lbs.

57

a re easily
s h a l low wa
ters with a s m a l l sei n e .

NA T U R A L BA I TS
More fish are caught on natura l baits than on a rtificia ls.
This is true partly beca use more fishermen use natura l
baits but a lso beca use natura l baits have a fa miliar
sha pe, movement, or odor. Catching fish with natura l
baits, though req uiring less ski ll, is sti l l g reat sport.
FRESH
M I N N OWS

are the principal

n a t u r a l f o o d of m a n y fishes.
Most of t h e many kinds of m i n
nows used for b a i t measure six
inches o r less i n length. They
are caught i n seines, i n traps
baited with b read o r c o r n m e a l ,
o r occasio n a l l y o n s m a l l hooks
ba ited w it h bread, d o u g h , o r
"moss." T h o s e from sti l l o r sl ow
moving waters w i l l l ive l o n g e r .
M i n nows kept too l o n g i n a
b u c ket w i l l d i e from l a c k of oxy
g e n . I f the m i n n ows beg i n to
t u r n on t h e i r sides, sti r or slosh

WATE R
the water. Or a i r c a n be blown
into the b ucket through a hose,
either by mouth o r with a w i n d
d riven o r b a ttery-powe red a i r
p u m p . P o r o u s ,,breather" b a i t
b u c kets h e l p to keep water c o o l
so that m i n n ows a r e l ess active
a n d h e n c e use oxygen less
ra pidly. Ice p l a ced o n the b uc k
et's l i d so t h a t water d rips i n
as t h e i c e m e l ts h e I ps to keep
water cool. Many bait b u c kets
have a d eta c h a b l e i n n e r section
t h a t can be fl oated i n the water
at t h e fi s h i n g spot.
HOO K I N G L I V E M I N N OWS For
l i ve m i n now f i s h i n g , hook th rou g h
m u s c l e s o f b a c k n e a r dorsal f i n
( 1 ) , t h r o u g h both l i p s {2), o r
through tai l (3). D o not hook
through the backbone.

58

GOLDEN S H I N E R

5 in.

SH I N ERS,

a w i d e l y d istri b u ted
g r o u p of m i n n ows, are f o u n d in
ponds,
l a kes,
and
s l u g g is h
strea ms. T h e G o l d e n S h i n e r ,
b r i g h t ye l l ow i n the b reed i n g
seaso n , is e a s i l y reared i n p o n d s .
C o m m o n S h i n e r s prefer stre a m s .
Many other k i n d s u sed for b a i t .

6 in.

DACE are stream m i n n ows a n d

d o not keep w e l l i n a b a it b u c k
e t . Active m i n n ows, they a re
used espec i a l l y in fi s h i n g for
trout. The Red b e l l y Dace, a
hardy m e m b e r of the g ro u p, i s
propagated i n cool-water p o n d s .
The B l a c k n ose D a c e is also a
po p u l a r b a i t for trout.

R E D BELL Y DACE

M U D M I N N OWS, c losely re
lated to pikes a n d pickerels, are
bottom-d w e l l e rs i n slow stre a m s
and in ponds_ They wiggle into
the m u d tai l fi rst to hide. M u d
m i n n ow s are e a s y to k e e p a l ive,
as t h e i r oxyg e n needs are low_
They are a lso l ively o n t h e hook.
C H U BS are large m i n nows and
some of t h e m are spo rty pan
fi s h . River C h u b s prefer large
strea m s;
Creek
C h u bs,
the
s m a l l e r , swifter strea m s . These
a n d other c h u b s a r e h a rd y baits,
a n d t h e l a rg e ones are used for
Northern Pike and M u skel l u n g e _

RIVER C H U B

CREEK CHUB

12 in.

HOO K I N G D E A D MI NOWS

For trol l i n g , sew m i n now onto

hook by passi n g hook through the
mouth, then o u t a gill open i n g
a n d t h r o u g h t h e thick portion o f
tai l . S n e l led (eyeless) hooks best_

For casti n g , pierce body i n tai l

region, then wrap l i n e a r o u n d
body a n d p i e rce ag a i n i n m i d
secti o n . P a s s hook t h r o u g h a g i l l
open i n g a n d o u t t h r o u g h mouth.

59

'L

H .
.h hookod
through tail; front
claws removed.

CRAY F I S H ,

a lso c a l l e d C raw
d a ds, C raws, o r C rawfish, fo u n d
i n p o n d s a n d strea ms. C a u g h t i n
m i n now seines by l ifti n g rocks
i n riffles and letti n g c u rrent wash
them into net, o r taken i n traps
baited with meat. If kept wet
and cool, will stay a l ive for a
d ay. H a rd s h e l l is shed period
ica l ly; soft-sh e l led sta ge best for
bait. J u st before shedd i n g , peel

off to make a "softy." For pan

fo s h, use o n l y t a i l , squeezing out
meat o r cracking shell t o par
tia l l y str i p off. M e at f r o m l a rge
p i n cers can als o be used for
p a n fish. For bass and o t h e r
l a r g e fi s h , c r a y fi s h is used w h o l e
a n d a l ive, h o o k e d t h r o u g h ta i l .
Dead crayfish, t h readed on h ook,
a re good for catfis h o r may be
fished like artifocial l u res for bass.

WO R M S

e r s (to 12 i n . ) , c a u g ht o n s u rface
i n sodded a reas. Will l ive i n d efi
n itely i n d a m p s o i l , away from
s u n . Feed o n cracker c r u m bs,
mash, or s i m i l a r food s . On tr ips
do not crowd; ca rry i n c a n o r
b a i t b u c ket, i n d a m p s o i l or m oss.

c a n be fo sh e d s i n g ly,
severa l to a hook, or c u t into
p ieces. F o r l i f e l i ke wigg le, i n sert
hook u nd e r w o r m 's yellowish
collar. Run h o o k through worm
twice to m a k e secu re; let end
d a n g le. T h ree types u sed as ba its
are: sma l l redworms ( 1 -3 i n . ) ,
f o u n d i n m a n u re o r o t h e r o r
g a n ic d e b ris; med i u m-sized g a r
d e n worms (3-6 i n . ) , a b u n d a n t i n
m oist, r i c h d i rt; a n d n i g ht crawl-

LEEC HES l ive in l itter o n the

bottom i n sti l l waters. H o oked
l i ke worms; very hardy. Good
for bass, catfo s h .

N i g htcrawler d o u b le-hooked
through c o l l a r, tail d a n g l i n g .

'
60

S eve ral sma l l worms

o n one hook.

Cata l p a
Worm

C a d d isworm

H e l l g ra m mite

I N SECTS

of m a n y kinds a re
fi n e ba its. Methods of h o o k i n g
interc h a n g e a b l e . Soft-bodied i n
sects, s u c h as g r u bs, threaded o n
hook l i k e worms. T o u g h ba its,
such a s h e l l g ra m mites, hooked
t h r o u g h ta i l or c o l l a r .
C rickets a n d cockroaches c a n
be attracted to ba its, s u c h a s
b r e a d , o r a re easy to raise i n
large cans with damp sand in
botto m . F e e d t e m m a s h o r corn
meal. Both a r e t e n d e r a n d h a r d

to k e e p o n h o o k . Grass h o p p e rs,
a b u n d a n t i n late s u m m e r o r f a l l ,
a r e t o u g h e r, e a s i e r to keep a l ive.
H e l l g r a m m ites,
the
st r o n g j a w e d l a rvae of Dobsonfl i es, l ive
u n d e r rocks in swift wate r . Espe
cially good for S m a l l m o u t h Bass.
Bee o r wa s p l a rvae, cata l pa
wor ms, m e a l wo r m s, or n y m p h s of
water i n sects-a l l a r e g o o d b a i t
for b a s s , trout, o r p a n fi s h . C a d
d isworms a r e r e m oved from cases
o r cases a r e l i g htly c r u s h e d .

FROGS A N D SALA M A N
D E RS are good l ive baits for

SAL M O N EGGS, w h e r e t he i r
u s e is l e g a l , a re p o p u l a r b a its
for trout or s a l m o n . Often sold
i n bait s h o p s i n j a rs. Thread one
o r m or e o n a h o o k .

bass or othe r g a m e fi s h . Best bait

s:ze 2-3 i n . Dead o n e s exce l l e n t
catfi s h ba it. To fis h l ive, h o o k
t h r o u g h l i p s or leg m uscle, leav
i n g t hem free to s w i m . T a d p o l es,
a l s o good b a its, a r e hooked
through t h i c k t a i l . Dead o n e s can
be str u n g o n hook. S a l a m a n d e rs
best hooked u n d e r b a c k b o n e i n
f r o n t o f ta i l . K e e p c o o l , d a m p .

F ro g h o o k e d t h ro u g h
; , , fo n .. .b o " H h l o '

Tadpole hooked
through t a i l .

61

DOUGH BALLS

a re a favorite
bait for C a r p a n d a re a l so g o o d
for cat s h . T h ey are m a d e of
fl o u r , c o r n m e a l , a n d water, with
cotton, h o n ey, oi ls1 or other s u b
sta nces a d d e d to toug h e n b a i t
a n d g ive it odor.

PORK R I N D

s h , w h i c h n d food by teste or
odor. A m o n g t h e m a n y k i n d s a r e
smel ly c heeses, d ried c h i c k e n
blood, a n d s o u r c l a m s-to w h i c h
oil o f a n ise or r h od i u m are
added to i n c rease odor. Bait is
to u g h e n e d with cotto n , sponges,
or s i m i l a r s u b stances. S u p p l y c a n
be m a d e a n d t h e n frozen .

baits a r e ma d e of
pig skin with t h e fat scra ped off,
then soaked in b r i n e to p reserve.
They may be cut into v a r i o u s
sha pes a n d s i z e s a n d a r e e i t h e r
b l eached o r dyed. H o o k e d b e
h i n d a spoon o r shed a l o ne,
they are good baits for all fresh
water g a m efosh and a re used
a l s o i n s a l t water.
sp l it t a i l

'".!!!.!" eL
- -

W A T ER
Among the many kinds of natura l baits good i n salt
water, sma l l fish are tops i n popula rity. But while o n e
fi s h e r m a n baits his h o o k w i t h a m e n h a d e n t o catch a
mackerel, a noth er baits with a mackerel to catch a shark.
M E N H A D E N , a l s o c a l l e d Moss
b u n kers, H a r d heads, o r Razor
Bel l y S h a d , are s m a l l fosh of the
herring f a m i l y. For b a it, use
whole o r cut. They moke good

c h u m , leavi n g a h eavy o i l s l i c k
b e h i n d b o a t . M e n h a d e n spoil
q u ic k l y and often m ust b e t ied
to hook. Good for fl a s h , k i n g
sh,
macke r e l s,
and
othe rs.

backbone removed
a n d fish sewed s h u t.

M U LLET are a commercial fi s h

of the Atl a ntic a n d G u l f . C u t
l a r g e o n e s ( 1 2 i n . or more) into
fish-shaped fi l lets or into c h u n ks .
F i s h s m a l l on e s w h o l e a n d a l ive.
M u l let m a y be cast or tro l l e d .
With b a c k b o n e removed, dead
fi s h is l i m b e r a n d life l i ke.
H E R R I N G are small, school i n g
fi sh f o u n d i n b o t h Atlantic a n d
Pacific. T h e y are a m a j o r food
of m a n y fi s h , h e n c e exce l l e n t
b a i t . C a n be fi s h e d w h o l e a n d
a l ive or c u t i n t o c h u n ks o r st rips.
Backbones sometimes c u t from
d e ad fi sh a s with m u l let (see
a bove) . O i l y, h e r r i n g m a k e a n
exce l l e n t c h u m . H e r r i n g c a n be
b o u g h t in m a rkets, taken in nets
o r by hook and l i n e .

Herri n g strip c u t
to m a ke a s p i n n e r
for tro l l i n g .

ANCHOVIES

are small bait

fi shes (4-5 i n . ) p o p u l a r o n t h e
Pacific C o a s t for y e l l owta i l , h a l i
b ut, b a r r a c u d a , a n d m ackerel .
Oily, they m a k e a good c h u m .
U s u a l l y hooked b e h i n d eyes.

Anchovy, hooked
j u st beh i n d eyes.

BALLYHOO

and other half

beaks belong to the needlefish
fa m i l y . The traditio n a l s a i l fi s h
b a i t b u t a re e q u a l ly good for
t u nas, barracudas, a n d others.

E E LS, top-rated for trol l i n g or

casting for Striped Bass a nd
other sport fis h , c a n be fished
l ive or d e a d o r c u t i nto c h u n ks o r
strips. A n e e l s k i n stretched over
a lead-headed metal fra m e i s a
p o p u l a r casting or t r o l l i n g l u re
c a l l ed an eel b o b .

OTH E R BAIT F I S H

include
k i l l ifi s h ( m u m m ic h o g ) , silversides
(spear i n g ) , sand l a u nces ( sa n d
eels), p i n fi s h , a n d p i g fi s h . T h e y
c a n be fi s h e d w h o l e o r a s c u t
ba its. M o s t fis h c a n b e used f o r
bait. They a re n etted i n s h a l lows
o r bought i n a b a it store.

..,

D o u b l e-rigged e e l

Si lversides

63

S a n d b u g i s hooked
from u n d e rside a n d
through shell o n back.

S H RI M P

of o n y species large
enough to put o n a hook a re
good as ba it. Live s h rimp, prob
ably the best a l l-a r o u n d bait
for s o u t h e r n wate rs, a re hooked
t h ro u g h head or tail. Dead
shrimp a re c u t i nto pieces a n d
threaded o n hook, or o n l y t a i l i s
u sed . C a n be b o u g h t i n bait
shops or i n frozen packages;
a lso netted i n bays or s h a l lows.
To keep a l ive, place i n c l e a n,
a e rated water a n d keep them
cool. C a n a l so be u sed as c h u m .

SAN D B U G S ,

o r M o l e C ra bs,
l ive i n sand at the tide l i n e . F o r
sm a l l fi s h , u se o n e ; for large fish,
severa l to a hook. Excel l e n t for
pompano, sheepshead, whiting.

CRABS of all sizes c a n be used

i n some m a n n e r a s bait. Gree n ,
B l u e , Lady, H e r m i t , F i d d l e r- a l l
a r e good, especia l l y for s u rf,
d rift, a n d sti l l fi s h i n g . S h e l l s of
l a rge o n e s a r e cracked and t h e
meat s t r i p p e d out. P i e c e s c a n be
tied to h oo k with t h r e a d . Mem
b ra n e s where legs join body
make good a nc h o r a g e for hook.
C ra b s a re best a s ba its j u st be
fore they shed t h e i r s h e l l s ; they
can be ''peeled." C r a b s can be
c a u g h t in ba ited tra ps, dug from
b u rrows, or c h a sed down on
beach. Thev a re sold i n bait
shops. To fi s h c r a b s a l ive, remove
big c l aws. C r a b s a r e easy to
keep a l ive, -eve n without water
if kept coo l .

B l u e C rab

64

H a rd-shelled crabs a re h ooked thro u g h

the b o d y o r a t e d g e of shel l b y l e g
membrane.

Hermit C rab i s removed from

shel l and th readed on hook.
Break off cra b ' s l a rge p i n cers.

S H E L L F I S H of o i l so rts-even
oysters, conchs, and sca l lops
will catch fish. C l a m s a re used
most. Softs h e l led Clam ( N a n ny
g oose) i s dug o u t with a c l a m
h o e o r r a k e . Observe l e g a l l i m its.
S h e l l i s cracked, meat left i ns id e .
H a rd s h e l l e d
Clams
( Q u a h og,
Littleneck, C h e r rystone) a r e d ug
from m u d fl a t s or s a n d b e a c h es.
Shell is p r i e d o p e n and meat cut
o u t . I t is h ooked t h r o u g h s n o u t
(actu a l ly c l a m's foot), o n e o r
m o r e to h o o k . Soft meats m a y b e
t i e d to h o o k w i t h t h r e a d .

H a rdshelled

Softsh e l l e d

c.:..._::)
S u rf

,
C l a m meat
o n hook

SQU I D S,

o r l n kfish, a r e c o m m o n
o n both coasts. T h e y c a n be
bought i n b a it shops. As sq uid
spoil q u i c k l y , they m u st be k e pt
cool, froze n , or salted if not used
i m mediately. S q u i d s can be fi s h ed
whole, u sed as c u t b a i t or for
c h u m . T o u g h , leathery str i p s stay
o n ho o k for casting o r trol l i n g
w i t h j i g s o r spoons. W h o l e o n es
retrieved w i t h a twitch .

Razor

Squid rigged with tandems (a bove)

and with si n g l e hook ( b e low) .

WO R M S

of seve r a l k i n d s l ive
i n sha l l ow waters, b u r rowing i n to
the s a n d or h i d i n g beneath rocks.
Most com m o n for b a its a r e C l a m
w o r m s a n d Bloodworms. They
keep w e l l i n d a m p seaweeds.
Hook worm t h r o u g h head for
trol l i n g ; str i n g o n e o r more o n
h oo k for st i l l fi s h i n g . G o o d for
flatfish, croa kers, a n d others.

ART I F I C I A L L U RES
Some a ncient fisherman d iscovered that fish would strike
at pieces of she l l or bits of bone skittered through the
water. By attaching a line to this " l ure" h e had found a
new way to catch fish. Though some a rtificial l u res i mitate
a fis h's natura l food, many successful lures look l i k e nothing
a fish has ever seen before. Apparently their un usua l action
or g_esig n attracts the fish's attention.
Fishing with a rtificials demands more effort than does
natura l bait fishing . At the very least an artificial m ust be
tro l l ed, and many kinds give their fish-enticing action
only when manipulated properly. An experienced fi sher
man can often catch more fish with l u res than with nat
ural baits. He fishes more water more carefu l ly. Lu res
come in thousands of designs and colors. A l l w i l l catch
fish. Some are better than others, but none is infa l l i b l e .
There a r e s i x basic types o f l u res : ( 1 ) spoons, r e l a
tively h e avy and with cu rved or d i s h e d -out bod i es, wo b
b l e but d o not revo lve;

(2)

spin ners, relatively l i g h t

wei g h t, with b l ad e s revolvi n g on s h afts or swivel s ;

(3)

plugs, with a d i sti n ct body o f wood o r p l astic, m ay r u n

d eep, s h al l ow, o r o n su rface o n retrieve; (4 ) jigs, t h e

most versati l e of all l u r e s, h ave lead h ead s a n d tai l s of
buc ktai l , feather, o r synthetic fi bers;

(5) soft plastic

worms, d e s i g n e d to be fished very s l owly, h ave a life

like fee l ;

(6) flies, i m i tatio n s of i n sects or m i n nows,

m ad e of feat h e r o r h ai r . Many lures are co m b i n atio n s

o f these basic types.

66

F ree-swi n g i n g treble hooks o n

spoon o f pop u l a r s h a p e a n d color.

F l a s h i n g , h a m m e red meta l spoon

with color w i ndows and free
swi n g i n g treble hooks.

SPOONS, a l s o called Wobblers,

a re u sed fo r trol l i n g a n d ca sti n g

i n fresh a n d salt wate r . Their oval
to rou n d bodies may be of meta l,
p lastic, o r mothe r-of-pe a r l . The
a m o u n t of wigg l i n g and d i p p i n g
a s p o o n d oes w h e n retri eved is
dete r m i n e d by its thick ness a n d
b y its scooped-out area. Spoons
r a n g e from fly rod size ( 1 inch)
to t ro l l i n g sizes of 4 to 5 i n c hes
for fresh water a n d up to 1 2
i n ches fo r s a l t water. Those with

Spoon with t r a i l i n g
trebles a n d rattle rs.

A gold, fly-rod size spoon,

with ta i l fl i p per.

free-swi n g i n g treble hooks a re

best in open water, for they s n a g
easily. Those w i t h a s i n g l e h o o k
faste ned r i g i d l y r i d e p o i n t u p
a n d s h o u l d s l i d e over obstructi o n s .
Weedless spoo n s a re u s u a l ly s i n
g le-hook m o d e l s w i t h w i r e g u a rd
to p rotect h oo k from s n a g g i n g .
W h e n fis h stri kes, it p resses the
g u a rd o u t of the way. Spoons may
be fi shed tra i l i n g a piece of p o r k
r i n d , a p o r k c h u n k, feathers, o r
p l a stic strips t o i n crease acti o n .

Shoehorn-sh aped s p o o n with

single, rigidly faste ned hook.

Mothe r-of-pearl spoon i n shape

of fi s h . Free-sw i n g i n g treb les.

Polished, silvery metal spoon,

with s i n g le, detach a b l e hook
and a weed g u a r d .

67

TYPES OF S P I N N E R BLADES

Bear V a l l e y

S P I N N E RS

are
l u res
with
b l a des that w h i r l o n s hafts or
swive l s a s they a re retrieved . The
hook is faste ned a t the e n d by
m e a n s of a s n a p. S p i n ners c a n
be fished a l o n e o r a head o f flies,
pork r i n d s, or n a t u r a l ba its. They
attract fi s h by commotion a s w e l l
a s by t h e i r fl a s h a n d color. For
t h i s rea son they work wel l in
cloudy water, w h e n silent l u res
are u n n oticed. S p i n n e r s a r e
m a d e i n s i z e s for b a i t casti n g ,
spi n n i n g , fly fi s h i n g , trol l i n g .

I daho, I n d ia n a , a n d W i l low
leaf a re the co m m o n b l a d e
s h a p e s fi s h e d a h e a d of fl ies.
J u n e b u g spi n n ers are especia l l y
s u i te d fo r s l o w t ro l l i n g w i t h m i n
n o w s o r n i g h t crawlers. The Bear
Val ley, g e n e r a l ly fished a l o n e, is
a n I daho b l a d e with the shaft
decorated with red beads. The
C o l o ra d o,
an
Idaho
blade
m o u n ted o n swive ls with s p l i t
rin gs, may be fi s h e d a lo n e o r
w i t h a n a rtificial fly or with s a l
mon egg b a i t .

Be a d e d W i l low L e a f
with fly

Colored s p i n n e r
with beaded s ha n k

J u n e b u g spi n n e r
with n i g h tcrawler

68

S U R FA C E

S u rface

PLUGS a r e m a d e of w o o d o r
plastic a n d h a v e o n e o r m o r e sets
of s i n g l e , d o u b l e, or t r e b l e
hooks. M o s t p l u g s a re e q u i pped
with meta l l i ps, a g o uged-out
h e a d , s p i n n e rs, or other fea t u res
to p r o d u c e action or c o m m otio n .
They a r e ava i l a b l e i n s m a l l sizes
for fly fis h i n g to large s u rf ca st
i n g a n d tro l l i n g p l u g s . S u rface
plugs move a l o n g t h e s u rface in
t h e retrieve. Some, s u c h a s d a rt-

ers, poppers, a n d i n j u red m i n

now types, m u st be worked by
j e r k i n g rod tip to g ive t h e m ac
t i o n . Others g u r g l e o r w.o b b l e
a utomatica l l y . Sem i-surface plugs
float at rest but d ive when re
trieved . Sinking plugs r u n d e e p .
They s i n k s l o w l y , a n d retrieve
c a n be sta rted w h e n p l u g h a s
r e a c h e d d esired d e p t h . Most
sa lt-water p l u g s d o n a t have a
b u i lt-in acti o n .

SINKING PLUGS

69

F l a sh i n g j i g
Plastic w a r m j i g

J IGS, g ood in bot h fresh a n d

s o l ! water, con s i st of a l e a d h e a d
cast on a s i n g l e hook. T h e ta i l
i s of b u c kto i l , l e a t h e r s , synthetic
f i l a m e n t s , or soft p l a stic. Jigs
a r e u s e d i n s p i n n i n g , bait cast
ing, and trol l i n g . I f h e a d i s
vert i c a l , j i g r u n s d e e p ; i f h ori
zonta l , j i g planes and c a n b e
f i s h e d i n s h a l l ows w i t h o u t s n a g
g i n g. Deep-ru n n i n g jigs may be
b o u n c e d a l o n g bottom by j e r k i n g
r o d t i p. H eavy m o d e l s a r e g ood
for s u rf tasti n g . " J a p a n e s e "
feathers a r e s i m i l a r t o j i g s but
l a c k h o o k s . A w i r e l ea d e r i s
p a s s e d t h r ou g h a h o l e i n l u re ' s
h e a d , t h e n a hook i s atta c h e d .

..

w s h a p e._.._._.
(sha l low r u n n i n g )

70

M ETAL S(j) U I D S ("tin c l a d s" or

meta l jigs) a re m a d e of block
t i n , lead, or sta i n less steel, and
w e i g h V. to 4 o u n ce s . Used m ost
l y i n s a l t water. May have fixed
hooks c a st into body o r free
swi n g i n g s i n g l e , d o u b l e, o r t r e b l e
h o o k s . Some a re feathered . P l a i n
h o o k m o d e l s m a y be fi shed with
pork rinds. S q u i d d i n g , o r s u rf
casti n g with a rtificia ls, refers to
use of t h ese l u res. If flattened
horizontal ly, line planes and can
b e fished ove r rocks. Others are
used for trol l i n g o r for fast re
trieves. "Drails" a r e heavy mod
e l s (to 8 o u nces) used o n hand
l i n e s i n d e e p offshore water.

Diamond-shaped squid
(deep r u n n i n g )

I M ITAT I O N S of n a t u r a l fi s h
f o o d s o r e m o d e of m o l d ed p l a s
tics. Some p l a stic boils o re m o d e
i ncred i b l y l i f e l i k e i n f e e l a n d
s m e l l a s w e l l a s i n a ppeara n ce .
M a n y o re sold w i t h o u t hooks;
others o r e molded over a hook
o r a series of hooks. A l l i m ita
tions of n a t u r a l foods m u st be
fished l i k e artificial l u res. Some
ore effective if d rifte d .
Pl astic e a rthworms, the most
p o p u l a r of t h e n a t u r a l boil i m i
tations, a re sometimes fi shed be
hind a s p i n n e r b u t o r e a l so r ig
g e d w i th a si n g l e hook a n d
c r aw led a l o n g t h e b o t t o m w i t h a
slow retrieve. They a re good i n

e i t h e r f r e s h or s a l t water1 a s a r e
p l a stic e e l s . P l astic e e l s , s o l d i n
l e n g t h s u p to 20 i n c hes, c o m e
e i t h e r rig9 e d o r u n rigged a n d
a re exce l l e n t l u res for S t r i p e d
B a s s . Mackerel a n d s q u id im ita
tions, a s wel l a s those of fl y i n g
fi s h , m u l l et, a n d b a l l yhoo, have
become p o p u l a r l u res for trol l i n g
i n s a l t w a t e r for m a r l i n a n d
other b l u e-water fi s h .
I nsect i m itations a r e g ood fly
rod l u res for fresh-water g a m e
fish a n d p a n fi s h . T h o u g h u s u a l ly
molded over hooks, some o r e
sold w i t h o u t hooks. There o re
a l s o i m itations of frogs, m i n n ows,
crayfish, and others.

71

Coach m a n
McG i n ty

wing

Pink Shrimp
( s a l t water)

hackle

FL I ES

may i m itate i nsects, min

nows, o r c r ustaceans, w h i c h ore
the natural foods af foshes, or
may be u n u s u a l , gaudy c reations
! h o t attract fosh either by calor
or by d i sti n ctive a p peara nce.
F l ies a re best known a s l u res for
trout, salmon, a n d bass b u t are
a l so used fo r a va riety of pan
fosh and to a l i m ited d egree i n
salt w a t e r . They consist o f y a r n ,
feathe rs, h a i r , t i n sel, o r other
materia l s tied to a hook with
t h r e a d . Some of the many thou
sa n d s of patte r n s a re centu ries
old. Many a rd e n t fly fi s h e r m e n
carry fly-ty i n g materia l s w i t h
t h e m a n d tie patte rns to i m i tate
what the fish a re feed i n g on at
This is cal led
moment.
the
"matc h i n g the hatch." A rtificial
flies a re d ivided i nto two main
categ ories: wet flies, w h i c h sink
beneath the su rface; and d ry
flies, which float. Strea m er fl ies,
su rface bugs, and s p i n n e r flies
are speci a l types of flies set a part
by use o r by constr uctio n .

R e d - a n d - wh i te

Mu l t i - w i n g
(sa l t w a t er)

WET F L I E S

(a bove), g e nera lly

tied on a heavy hook, a r e spa rse
ly d ressed, with flat w i n g s o r na
w i n g s and with a soft, a bsorbent
hackle. They i m itate d rowned i n
sects, i m m a t u r e stag e s of a q uatic
i nsects, o r sma l l c r u stacea n s .
Wing less ones rese m b l i n g im
m a t u re i n sects a r e c a l led nymphs.

STREA M E R FLI E S ( b e l ow) o r e

wet flies im itating m i n n ows, not
in sects. U s u a l l y tied o n a long
sha n k hook, they a re d ressed
with w i n g s of sad d l e hackles or
of buckta i l . l o n g , s l e n d er, a n d
life l i ke w h e n d a rted t h ro u g h
water; weig hted strea m e rs m a y
be u s e d w i t h s p i n n i n g g e a r .

B l ack Ghost
(hackle)

72

M ickey F i n n
(buckta i l )

Bee

D RY FL I E S ( a b ove a n d r i g h t )
float on t h e s u rface. They o r e
t i e d w i t h s t i ff h a c k l e s t h a t p ro
ject at r i g h t a ng l e s to the hook's
shank. T h e hook is u s u a l l y of
l i g h t w i r e . Dry flies i m itate e i t h e r
l ivi n g o r d e a d i n sects. They o re
fished in t h e n a t u r a l d rift of t h e
w a t e r a n d a r e not g iven action
by t h e a n g l e r .

B rown Bivisible

SU RFACE BUGS

(right) hove
l i g htwe i g h t bodies of cork, p l a s
tic, or h a i r. They may i m itate l iv
ing t h i n g s, s u c h as moths, frogs,
o r crippled m i n n ows, or m a y be
simply ottroctors. O n e type wit h
a concave face produces a p o p
p i n g s o u n d w h e n twitched o n
t h e s u rface. Po p u l a r for boss.

Popper
(co rk-bod ied)

S PI N N E R F L I E S

( b e l ow) o r e
I o r g e wet fli e s d ressed with a
h a c k l e or w i t h b uc kto i l a n d tied
o n a r i n g e d eye hook. S p i n n e r
fl i e s o r e u s u a l l y w i n g l ess a nd o re
designed to be fished b e h i n d a
s p i n n e r . They o re excepti o n a l l y
g o o d l u res f o r fresh-water boss
b u t o re a l s o a highly effective
com b i n a t i o n for p o n fi s h .

Yel low M i l l e r
(with s p i n n e r )

73

TAC KLE AND ITS U S E

Tackle consists of rod, reel, line, leader, sin ker, h ook-a l l
t h e m a n ufactu red items a fisherman uses i n catching fi s h.
Artificial baits or lures (p. 66) are a lso tackle but a re de
scribed separately i n this book beca use of their si m i l a rity
to natural baits (p. 58) in actio n, a p pearan ce, a nd use.
Accessories (p. 1 06) are equipment that help di rectly or
i n d i rectly but a re not essentia l for catchi n g fi s h .
W h i l e so m e k i n d s of tack l e are d e s i g n e d f o r a spe
cific type of fis h i n g , they may serve a va riety of pur
poses or be used i ntercha ngea bly. Tac k l e that is m a d e
especially t o c a s t a rtificial ba its c a n be used a l s o for
stil l fis h i n g , for tro l l i ng , or even for surf fis h i n g . light
fresh -water equipment wi l l catch fis h i n salt water but
may not a lways do as well on larger sa lt-water fis h as
h eavie r gear, which i s made a l so of materia l s resista nt
to salt-water corrosio n . S i m p l e m a kesh ift tac k l e, such
as the fa bled wil low pole, stri ng, and bent p i n , w il l
c at ch fis h , but properly sel ected tac k l e i n skilled h an d s
will ta ke more fis h a n d give g reater satisfaction t o the
fisherman. I n these pages, the basic tackle, consisting
of rod, reel, and li ne, i s descri bed first g e n erally a n d
compa ratively, then i n g reater deta i l i n t h e units for
which it is designed to be used.

TYP E S O F TAC K L E

74

P R I N C I P A L A N D O TH E R U S E S

Fly

casti n g f l i e s, sti l l f i s h i n g , f r e s h a n d s a l t

Spinning

casting l u res, tro l l i n g , st i l l f i s h i n g , fresh a n d s a l t

Bait a n d S p i n C a sting

casti n g l u res, tro l l i n g , st i l l f i s h i n g , f r e s h a n d s a l t

S u rf

s u rf casti n g , s q u i d d i n g , s a l t water

Bay and Big Game

bottom fishing a n d t ro l l i ng, s a l t water

B a i t C a sti n g

REELS are devices on which line is stored . The line can

be re l eased or retrieved as needed. A reel may be a
sim p l e ungea red spool equipped with a h a n d l e for cra n k
ing a n d set i n a frame. The sing le-action fly reel is of
this type. Or a reel may be a precision m echanism with
m u ltiple gears and even a n el ectric-motor-d riven spool,
as i n some big-game ree ls. The pri ncipa l types of reels
are fly, ba it casting, spin ca sti ng, spin n i n g, and salt water,
a l l m a n ufactured in a wide ra nge of sizes. Most reels are
made of a l u m i n u m a l l oys or of chrom e-plated brass, with
some g ears and many other pa rts made of plastic.

S T A R DRAG, n amed fo r t h e
sta r-shaped a d j u st i n g wheel at the
base of the reel h a n d l e , consists
of a series of m eta l and leather
o r composition discs that s l i p less
freely a s the sta r wheel is tig ht
ened. This is the most common of
d r a g a d j ustments that control the
tension o n a reel spool.

LEVEL W I N D

devices, fou n d on
nearly all bait-casti n g reels, con
sist o f a worm g e a r, o r carriage
screw, and a pawl that moves a
l i n e g u i d e b a c k a n d forth across
fro nt of spool so that line i s w o u n d
o n evenly. Movem e n t o f level-w i n d
mechanism i s sy n c h ro n i zed with
spoo l " s gears.

pawl

75

RODS furnish the leverag e for cost

O F RODS

BASI C TYP ES

REEL SEATS

Ba_it Casti ng
a n d Spin Casting
Spi n n i n g-fixed
-

Spin n i n g-reel bands

Fly
G U I DES

Bait Castin g

Spin Casti n g

Spinning
Fly

76

i n g a n d for settin g the h ook. The

rod's flexi bility, ca l led its "action,"
puts the sport i n playing a fish. A
rod's action, ra n g i n g from l i m ber to
stiff, is determi ned by the toper,
thickness and materi a l of which the
rod is mode. Wood, steel, sp lit
bam boo-a va riety of materia ls
hove been used, but most rods o re
now mode of hollow fi ber g lo ss or of
spun g loss i mpregnated with p lastic.
Strong for their weight and u niform
in action throughout their length,
g loss rods give long service a n d re
quire little core. Rods may be mode
i n one piece or, for porta bility, in
two or more sections joined by fer
ru les. Identifying features of some
pri ncipal rods o re shown .
L I NES ra n ge fro m sewin g thread
for catc h i n g bait m i n n ows to %
i nch ropes for h a u l i n g in sharks or
jewfi s h _ Most lines ore rated i n
pounds test : that is, the maximum
weight in pou n d s th ey w i l l l i ft with
out brea k i ng. They may a l so be
d es i gn ated by their d i a m eter i n
cross secti o n . Some mo nofi l o m ents
ore colored for vis i b i lity to the fi sh
erman, but they become n early in
visi b l e to the fish u n d e rwater.

FISHING LINES
MATE R I A L

A D VANTAGES

D I SADVANTAGES

B r aid e d Nylon

Smooth fi n ish, s m a l l Low specific g ravity,

d i a m eter, h i g h k n o t excessive stretch, some
stre n g th, resista nce t o te n d e n cy to fray, com
r a t , needs l i ttle ca re. p a ratively high d ra g
Good for bait casti n g , i n water.
squiddi ng.

Braided S i l k

Very smooth fi n ish,

high
knot streng th,
exce l l e n t spoo l i n g, low
stretch. Good l i n e for
bait casti n g .

Compa ratively
l a rge
d i a meter fo r test, very
s u bject to rot, req u i res
g reat deal of care for
long life.

B r a i d e d Dacron

Very s m a l l d i a m eter,
l ow d rag in water,
high specific g ravity.
Good line for t ro l l i n g,
bottom fishing , or bait
casti n g .

Ofte n too water-repel

le n t a n d excessively
d ry, m a k i n g it hot on
t h u m b in cast i n g ; knot
strength lower than
s i l k o r nylon.

Round
Monofila ment

Low d ra g i n w i n d a n d Tends to be stiff i n all

water, l o w visibi l i ty t o b u t l i ghtest tests, very
good
fish,
knot " d ry" to cast with re
stre n gt h . Good for volvi n g spool reels.
s p i n n i n g , troll i n g and Wea rs g uides rapidly.
bait casti n g .

Wire Lines
a n d Lead-cored
Braids

Fast s i n k i n g without Hard to pay off reel

s i n kers. Especi a l l y good with o u t
back l a s h i n g .
for deep t ro l l i n g .
Tend to k i n k .

77

H A N D L I N ES , used without either rod or reel, can be

efficient fish catchers. With pra ctice, a fisherm a n can
cast long dista n ces by twi rling the sinker to build momen
tum, then letti n g it go at the right moment. Coiling the
line neatly is the secret of casti ng success. Hand li nes a re
used mostly i n sti l l fishi ng or fishing on the bottom by
drifti n g . They a re good a lso for fishing from bridges,
piers and pa rty boats. W h i le used m ost com m o n ly for
bait fishing, h a n d li nes a re fine a lso for tro l l i n g with a rti
fici a l l u res. They a re the common ta ckle of commerci a l
fishermen i n both fresh a nd salt water for getti ng fi s h out
of the water fast, with little concern a bout "sport."
CA N E P O L E S a re simple fishing rods, ra n g i n g from
7 to 1 5 feet long and va ryi ng i n action from whippy to
fairly stiff. The l i n e may be tied o n ly to the tip of the pole
or, i n some cases, secured a lso to the butt end to preve nt
the loss of a fish a nd tackle if the pole brea ks. The li ne
may be monofila ment, braided or s o l i d wire, or braided
silk, linen, nylon, or dacro n . Monofi lament is p roba bly
best for genera l use. As a rule, the line should not be
m u ch longer than the pole, a s longer lines a re difficult to
manage. Some poles a re rigged with g uides and with
si mple line-holding reels.
Cane poles are com m o n ly used i n bait fishing for fresh
water panfish. They are good a lso for "jigging" sma l l
buckta i l s f o r crappies a n d perch or i n fi h i n g with flies,
spoons, pork rinds, or other a rtifi cials for bass or pickere l ,
especia l ly i n weedy waters. I n sa lt water, ca n e p o l e s a re
used from piers and bridges to catch sea trout, mackere l ,
and sa lt-water p a n fi s h . Stout poles rigged w i t h wi re l i n e
a re effective i n d r a g g i n g large s n o o k a n d other siza ble
fish from the deep holes a round ba rnacle-encrusted pil
ings or similar lairs.

78

H A N D L I N E S are u s u a l l y m a d e
o f twisted or braided l i n e n o r af
n y l o n . They a r e coa rse text u red ,
m a k i n g t h e m easy to h o l d .
T h o u g h h a r d e r Ia h a n d le, h eavy
m o n ofi l a m e n t h a n d l i n e s g ive
l o n g service. F o r salt.water fi s h
i n g , l i n en l i ne s a r e ofte n treated
with coal tar or c reosote a s a
preservative. F o r b i g g r o u pers,
sha rks, or other large fis h , fisher
m e n use g i a n t-sized hooks with
a chain leader a n d a rope line.

Twopiece
Metal Pole,
with g u i d es

HAND LI NES

f r e s h wate r

big hook with c a o n eader

o n a rope line

A CAN E POLE i s simply a sta l k

o f b a m boo o f s u i ta b l e size a n d
l e n g t h . l o n g p o l e s may be c u t i n
half a n d ferru l e d i n t h e m i d d l e
to m a k e t h e m easier to carry.
Mod e r n "ca n e poles" a re made
of g l ass or of meta l . Some come
i n sections joined by ferrules;
others t e l escope. S i m p l e poles
a r e a fi rst ste p i n gett i n g more
sport from a fis h . Even a s m a l l
panfish's a ntics a r e a m p l ified a t
t h e e n d of a pole as op posed to
h a u l i n g i n t h e same size fi s h on
a hand l i n e .

C a n e Pole,
line tied at
tip
S i m p l e li ne-hol d i n g Reel

79

SPINNING, which originated in E u rope, is by fa r the

most pop ular fishing method in America . In spinning,
the line simply slips, or "spins, " from the end of the reef
spool, w h ich does not revolve as it does in a bait-casti ng
ree l . Spinning is a h i ghly versatile method and can be
used for casting artificial l u res, for trol ling or for nat u ra l
bai t fi shing.

wide range o f l u re and b a i t wei g h ts can be

used with spinning tackle. With a spinning outfit, smooth

casting can be mastered q u ick ly, and the p layi n g of fi s h
is easy.

S P I N N I N G R E E L S a re m a n u
factured in a w i d e r a n g e af sizes
and sty les, but all have a n u m
b e r af fea tures i n c o m m o n . A l l
true spinning r e e l s h a v e a n open
f a c e d spoo l . They a r e m o u nted
b el ow the rod h a n d le, with the
axis of the spool more o r l ess
p a ra l l e l with the rod. For rig ht
h a n d e d casters, t h e c r a n k is on
t h e l eft s i d e . left- h a n d e d models
a re a l s o a va i l a b l e . A l l should hold
a t least 1 00 yards of l i n e, which

S p i n n i n g Reel
with rigid fi n g e r
p ick-u p

80

extra
spool

i s wou n d o n t h e spool by a re
volving b a i l , fi n g e r o r stu d . The
spool is moved i n and o u t by a
center shaft to cross-w i n d t h e
l i n e a s it is retrieved . Q u a l ity
s p i n n i n g reels have a l i n e g u i d e
o r rol l e r o f sta i n less ste e l o r
h a rd a l l oy to m i n imize l i n e w e a r .
A d j usta b l e d ra g s , u s u a l ly r e g u
l ated by w i n g n uts a t t h e front
of the spool, ca n be set so that
l a rge fi s h c a n be h a n d l e d safely
with very light l i n es.

S p i n n i n g Reel
with fu l l bail
pick-up

O n e-piece
spi n n i n g rod,
with fixed reel
seat

SP I N N I N G RODS

range i n
l e n g t h from 5 t o 1 0 feet, with
6- to 7-foot l e n gths most popu
lar. T h e butt g u id e is very l a r g e
t o g a t h e r t h e fi rst l a rg e loops o f
l i n e that s p i n f r o m t h e reel d u r
i n g t h e cast. On salt-water s p i n
n i n g r o d s , t h e butt g u i d e m a y
be a s m u c h a s 3 inches i n d i a m
e t e r . The g u id e s d i m i n ish i n s i z e
to the tip, b u t t o m i n i m ize l i n e
friction i n casti n g , a l l g u id e s a r e
l a r g e compa red to t hose o n b a i t
cast i n g or fly rods. A fa st-ta p e r
s p i n n i n g rod -with a powerfu l
butt t a p e r i n g t o a l im b e r t i p
p r o v i d e s t h e b e s t a l l-ro u n d a c
t i o n . M o s t spi n n i n g rods a re
m a d e of g l a ss, either h o l low o r
s o l i d . A f e w expen sive r o d s a r e
m a d e of s p l it- b a m b o o . N e a r l y a l l
spi n n i n g rods today have fixed
reel seats-t h a t is, a k n u rl e d
r i n g that c a n be screwed t i g h t l y
o n a th readed section to h o l d t h e
r e e l fi r m l y i n p l a c e . The g ri p s
are u s u a l l y of c o r k .

Two-piece
reg u l a r taper
spi n n i n g rod,
with reel ba n d s

Two-piece,
fast-ta p e r
spi n n i n g ro ,
with fixed
ree l seat

SPIN NING LIN E S a r e m a d e e x

c l u sively o f solid synthetic mono
f i l a m e n t s t h a t o r e rou n d i n
M o n o f i l a m e nts
section.
cross
cast better and wea r l o n g e r than
b ra i d s , and t h e y are a l s o l e s s
v i s i b l e to t h e f i s h . Stre n , n y l o n ,
a n d i m ported s y n t h e t i c s are t h e
m ast p o p u l a r. M o s t s p i n n i n g
l i n e s a r e p r o d u c e d i n n eutral
However,
shades.
tra n s l u c e n t
s o m e that a r e b r i g h t l y colored
or e v e n f l u o r e s c e n t i n t h e a i r
beco m e n e a r l y i n v i s i b l e t o t h e
f i s h u n d erwater. S p i n n i n g l i n e s
r a n g e fro m 'h - t o 2 0 - p o u n d test.
H e a v i e r s i z e s a r e too stiff to
cast w e l l , even with l.a rg e l u re s .

81

HOW TO CAST WITH SPI N N I NG TACKLE

Hold

the spi n n i n g rod s l i g h tly a bove a horizonta l position ,

with t h e l u re h a n g i n g d own a few i n c h e s from t h e tip.
Catch t h e line on the ba l l of your forefi n g e r and let
th e wei g h t of the l u re hold it there a s you open t h e b a i l
(or finger) to r e l e a s e the l i ne . N o w b r i n g the r o d u p
s h a rp l y t o s l i g htly past the verti c a l position a n d i m
m e d i ately s n a p it forward a g a i n . As t h e r o d comes
d own near t h e hori zonta l , stra i g h ten your forefi n g e r
to release t h e l i n e, a n d t h e cast is u n d erway. When
t h e lure rea ches the ta rg et, d rop you r fi n g e r to t h e e d g e
o f the s p ool to stop t h e l i n e f r o m spoo l i n g off the reel .
When fish i n g with spi n n i n g tackle, a lways set the
reel d ra g so that it slips under a tension consid erably
below t h e brea k i n g strength of t h e line. If t h e d r a g is
set too tig ht, t h e line will brea k when a fish m a kes a
s u d d e n l u n g e . N ever try to w i n d a fi sh i n w h i l e it i s
t a k i n g l i n e . T h i s wi l l res u l t i n a twisted l i n e a n d com
monly loses t h e fi s h . When either casti n g or sti l l fi s h i n g,
d o n ot engage the a nti-reverse loc k u n t i l a fish i s
hooked . I n trol l i n g , k e e p t h e a nti-reverse l o c k e n g a g ed .

S I D E CAST

is used where a n
ove rhead cast is n o t possi b l e .
W i t h wrist, m o v e t h e rod from
side to side and release l u re in
low fl i g h t i n d i rection of target.

82

F L I P CAST is useful i n fi s h i n g
t i g h t spots. W i t h 3 o r 4 f e e t of
l i n e out, g ra s p t h e h o o k by its
b e n d . P u l l rod d own a n d then
r e l ease hook to l e t it shoot out.

1 . H o l d rod with secon d a n d

third fi ngers strad d l i n g r e e l l e g ,
t h e forefi n g e r h o l d i n g l i n e .

2. S t a r t w i t h rod n e a r 1 0 o'clock
position, the l u re h a n g i n g a few
inches from tip. O p e n bail.

3 . B r i n g rod u p s h a r p l y to b e
twee n 1 2 a n d 1 o'clock position .
F orefi n g e r sti l l h o l d s l i n e .

4. M o m e n t u m b e n d s rod back to

5. S n a p r o d forwa r d , g a 1 n m g
m o r e power. D o n o t a pply power
p a st 1 1 o'clock positio n .

6. Release l i n e by stra i g h te n i n g
fi nger. L u re m o m e n t u m p u l l s l i n e
f r o m r e e l spoo l .

d evel o p power to propel

forward o n t h e cast.

l ur e

83

FLY F I S H I N G , one of the oldest forms of sport fishing

with a rtificial l u res, probably furnishes more fishing p leas
ure per pound of fish la nded than any other method. The
usua l l u res are the virtually weightless fl i es (pp. 72-73),
though very s m a l l p l ugs, spoons, and other l u res can a lso
be used. Fly casti ng is easier than bait casti ng, though
not q u ite so easy a s spi n n i n g . I n som e situations, as when
fish a re feeding on a hatch of i nsects, tiny fly- rod l u res
may be the o n ly a rtifi cial baits that wi l l catch fi s h .

FLY LINES

provide t h e weight
needed to cost extremely l i g h t
l u res. Stiff, powe rful r o d s r e q u i re
h eav i er l i n e s tha n do l i g ht, l i m
b e r r o d s . F l y l i n e s o r e m o d e of
braid ed s i l k , n y l o n , or docron
i m preg nated a n d coated with o i l
o r p l a stic to g ive t h e m a smooth
fi n i sh. Some hove h o l l ow cores
o r air b u b b l e s i n t h e fi n ish to
m a k e them float i n fi s h i n g s u r
face fl i e s or l u res; others a re
weig hted to m a ke t h e m s i n k
SYMBOLS FOR
STANDARD FLY L I N E
DT = Dou b l e Toper
W F = Weight Forward

S
I

DT

=
=
=

(Torpedo Taper)
F loating L i n e
Sinking L i n e
I n termediate L i n e
(floats or sinks)

TIP
DT

TIP

84

S
30

ft .

30

ft .

DACRON
240

G RA I N S

NYLON
240

G RA I N S

1
2
3
4
5
6

q u ic kl y i n fi s h i n g d e e p . level
l i nes a r e t h e some d i a meter from
end to e n d . D o u b l e to pers hove
small d iameter ends for d e l icacy
a n d h e avy m i d se ct i o n s f o r
weight. W h e n o n e e n d becomes
worn, t h e l i n e is reversed . In tor
pedo topers (we i g h t forwa r d ) ,
the h e a v y front section m a kes
c o sti ng easy. As fly l i n e s ore
b u l ky, they s h o u l d be used with
long l e a d e rs to d eceive the fish
(pp. 98-99 ) .

Wt.

STANDARD F L Y L I N E W E I GHTS
Ra n g e * *
#
W t . Range
60
80
1 00
1 20
1 40
1 60

54-66
74-86
94- 1 06
1 1 4 - 1 26
1 34 - 1 36
1 52 - 1 68

7
8
9
10
11
12

1 85
210
240
280
330
380

1 n- 1 93
202-2 1 8
230 -250
270-290
3 1 8-342
368 -392

* Weight is in g ra i n s ba sed on first 30 ft.

of l ine exclusive of taper tip.
* *Range a l lows for acceptable manufactur
ing tolera n ces.

S i n g le-action F ly Reel

' FLY R E E L S

g e n e ra l ly have n a r
row spools of l a r g e d i a meter.
Beca use of the n a rrow-width
spool, a l evel-w i n d mech a n ism is
n o t n ecessa ry, and the l a rge
spool d i a meter ma kes poss i b l e a
faster retrieve. I n s i n g l e-act i o n
reels, t h e spool rotates once f o r
e a c h turn o f t h e h a n d l e . Do u b l e
m u l t i p l i e rs s pe e d retr i e v e s. Auto
m a t i c reels hold l e s s l i n e a n d
h a v e s p r i n g to retr i e v e l i n e at
t h e tou c h af a l ev e r or tri g g e r.

FLY RO D S a r e designed to h a n
d l e t h e h eavy fly l i n e s t h a t pro
vide t h e weight for casti n g fli e s
or other l i g htwe i g h t l u res. The
reel seat is l ocated behind t h e
g ri p to m a k e i t easier to s t r i p
l i n e from t h e ree l . F l y r o d s vary
i n length from 6V. to 17 feet; in
weight, from 1 to 20 o u nces. Pop
ular sizes weig h 4 to 7 o u nces,
i n 7V.- to 9-foot l e n g ths. Lig ht
b u t very powerf u l , fast-ta per
m o d e l s h a n d l e a w i d e r r a n g e of
line sizes. Most fly rods tod a y
a r e m a d e o f h o l l ow fo b e r g lass,
b u t s p l it-b a m boo is sti l l fa i r l y
p o p u l a r . M o s t fly r o d s come i n
2 o r 3 p ieces, the sections bei n g
c o n n ected b y fer r u l es.

tip-top

Automatic F l y Reel

Th ree-piece
Fly Rod

fe rru l e /

butt g u i de

hand
grip

Two-piece
Fast Taper Fly Rod

ree l
seat

85

A fly rod m a y be g ri p ped with

t h e t h u m b a t the side, o r with
t h e t h u m b o n top of t h e h a n d l e .
M a n y a n g l e r s a l t e r n ate to rest
t h e i r wr ists.

Let out a bout 25 feet of l i n e in

front of you and then, holding the rod a s shown a bove,
strip off a few more feet a n d hold it with you r left hand.
Raise the rod slowly until the line i n front of you is free
of slack. At this point the rod should be a little above the
horizonta l . Now bring the rod u p briskly to the vertical
position, a n d pa use as the line soa rs into the a i r behind
you . It may help to look back over you r shoulder to watch
the line o n the back cast. Start you r forward cast when
the line has nearly straig htened but has not beg u n to fa l l .
Bring the r o d forward with t h e sa me force u sed on the
back cast, easing off on the power wel l before the rod
rea ches the horizonta l . As the rod snaps straight, the line
wi l l be propel led out i n front of you. While the l i n e is sti l l
moving fast, release t h e slack l i n e h e ld i n t h e left hand
for g reater dista nce.
I n fl y fishing for trout a n d pa nflsh, use a light-action
rod with a sma l l sing le-action or an a utomatic reel. For
bass, select a rod that wi l l h a n d l e heavi e r l i n es a n d
b u lkier l u res a n d either a sing le-action or a utomatic reel.
For sa l m o n or sa lt-water s peci es, use a powerful rod,
at least 9 feet long , and a large reel fi lled with b a c k i ng
l i n e for the long runs made by these fi s h .

H OW TO F LY CAST

86

Start the bock cost (above) with

the rod betwee n 1 and 2 o'clock,
slowly l ifti n g the rod to e l i m i
nate slack l i n e (A). Raise t h e rod
briskly to near 1 2 o'clock ( B).
Stop the rod at about 12 o'clock
and pause while l i n e stra i g htens
o u t i n a i r behind you (C).

When the back cost h a s nearly

stra ig htened o u t (b e l ow), bring
the rod forward with force (D).
Ease off on the power between 1
a n d 2 o'clock a n d l et l i n e r o l l
forward ( E ) . As l i n e reaches
maxi m u m speed, release slack in
left hand for m ore d ista nce (F).

87

BAIT CASTI NG AND SPI N CAST I NG a r e tec h n i

c a l l y si m i l a r . I n bot h , t h e reel is m o u n ted o n t h e to p of
the rod h a n d l e, th e t h u m b controls t h e l i n e in casti n g ,
a n d t h e s a m e type o f rod m a y be used . But i n b a i t ca st
i n g , t h e reel spool revo lves a s the l i n e r u n s out, w h i l e i n
s p i n casti n g t h e l i n e s l i p s fro m t h e e n d o f t h e spool a s
i n a t r u e sp i n n i n g reel ( p . 8 0 ) . B a i t ca sti n g works best
with l u res that we i g h more t h a n
wei g h i n g a s l i ttle a s

Ys

:Ys

of an o u n c e . Lures

of a n ounce can be used with

s p i n -ca sti n g ta c k l e .

BAIT-CASTI N G REELS have

a rather wide spool that revolves
fo u r times for each t u r n of the
h a n d l e . In m ost k i n d s, the reel
h a n d l e s turn o n t h e cast, b u t i n
s o m e , the h a n d l e s can be d isen
g a g ed f o r free-spoo l i n g . Nearly
all ba it-casting reels have a
level-w i n d mecha n ism to spool
t h e l i n e eve n l y and a "click" that
can be set w h e n not cast i n g to
keep the spool from t u r n i n g free
l y . On some ree l s, a sta r d rag
a l l ows t h e l i n e to be p u l led from
the reel u n d e r tension w h e n play
ing large fi s h .

S P I N-CAST I N G REELS

a re a
mod ified type of s p i n n i n g reel,
with t h e s p o o l e n c l osed i n a con
ical
cove r .
The l i n e
passes
t h r o u g h a hole i n the center of
t h e cove r . A t h u m b-ope rated trig
g e r, o r p u s h b utton, at the rear
releases the line for t h e cast a n d ,
w h e n p u s h e d a g a i n , sto ps t h e
fl o w o f l i n e f r o m the s p o o l . like
ba itco sti n g reels, most s p i n -cast
i n g reels are reeled in with the
r i g h t h a n d . A l l have d rag mech
a n isms for smooth playing o f fish.
Gear ratios vary from 2 to 1 to
4 to 1 .
click

Ba it-cast i n g Reel

j
S p i n -casti n g Reel

88

CAST I N G RO D S r a n g e from
4 Ia 7 feet. Average length of a
tr u e ba it-castin g rod, which h a s
l o w g u i d e s, is 5 feel; o f a s p i n
casting r o d , w h i c h has l a rge,
h i g h-bridged g uides, 6Y2 feet. A
fast-ta p e r s p i n-cast i n g rod c a n be
u sed a lso with ba it-cast i n g reel,
h a n d l i n g l u res from Ys to 1
o u nce. Ba it-casting rod can be
used for spin cast i n g b u t d oes
not cast l i g htw e i g h t l u res. Both
rods usually have d etacha b l e
h a n d les with offset, locking reel
seats. Most a r e of h o l low g l a ss;
solid g l a ss, s p l it-bam boo, a n d
metal a l l oys a r e used also.
L I N ES a r e m a d e of
synthetic monofi l a m e n t o r of
braided synthetics, such as nylon
or dacron. B ra i d s testi n g from
10 to 30 pou n d s a r e best for bait
casti n g , b u t m o n of i l a m e nts up to
1 5- po u n d test m a y be u s e d . For
s p i n casti n g , u s e s p i n n i n g l i n es
of 6- or 1 0- pou n d test. T h e color
for a braided casti n g l i n e i s a
matter of personal choice, but
black i s t h e most p o p u l a r.

high-bridged
g ui d e s

CAST I N G

L I N E TYPES A N D COLORS

Braided

Fast-ta p e r
S p i n -casti n g
Rod

'

black
tan
camouflaged

Monofi laments

---m ist

fl u o rescen t

oval
rou n d
Two-piece
Bait-casti n g
Rod

89

BAIT CASTI N G

1 . H o l d the
rod at a bout the 2 o'clock posi
tion, with reel h a n d l e facing u p.

2. With a smooth wrist action,

l ift the rod sharply to a b o u t the
12 o'clock position .

H OW TO B A I T CAST H o l d t h e rod slightly a bove t h e

horizonta l, with the reel hand les faci ng upwa rd a n d with

the l u re h a n g i n g a few inches from the tip. Bring the rod
up sha rply to a vertica l position but keep wrist stra i g ht.
The weig ht of the l u re will bend the rod tip. Snap the rod
forwa rd again with a smooth flex of your wrist. As the
rod straig htens, ease your t h u m b pressure to a l low the
spool to turn. Keep the reel ha ndles u p . Apply a light
th u m b pressure on spool to prevent it from turning faster
than line goes out, causing a backlash or line ta n g l e on
the spoo l . When lure reaches ta rget, th u m b the spool to
stop cast and to cause lure to d rop.
3. As t h e l u re b e n d s r o d tip
back, g ive forward cast power
w i t h w r i st to 1 o'clock.

90

4. lift thumb s l i g htly so spool

can turn and l et l i ne out. T h u m b
spool to slop cast at t h e ta rget.

..

S P I N CAST I N G 1 . H o l d rod a t
a b o u t 2 o'clock; p u s h trig g e r
with t h u m b to r e l e a s e l i n e .

2 . S n a p r o d u pward briskly t o
a b o ut 1 2 o'clock, k e e p i n g t h e
trigger p ressed with t h u m b .

H OW TO S P I N CAST Spi n casti ng is easier tha n bait

casti ng beca use it is not n ecessary to use t h u m b control

to prevent backlashes. But without the delicate control
possi ble with the th u m b, there is less accura cy. To spin
cast, point the rod at a spot over the ta rget, letti n g t h e
l u re h a n g a few i n ches b e l o w the ti p. Release the l i n e for
casti ng by pressi ng the t h u m b trigger, turning the cra n k
backward i f necessary. Keep your th u m b o n t h e trigger
as you lift rod sharply to vertica l . Flick it forwa rd again
i m m ediately, usi n g you r wrist. As rod straightens, release
th u m b trigger to let line go out. To stop cast, press trig
ger. Then turn cra n k to put reel in gear for retrieve.
3 . B r i n g r o d d own a n d forwa rd
with
wrist
act i o n ,
a pplying
p o w e r to a bout 1 o'clock.

4. Release t r i g g e r to l e t l i n e g o
o u t f o r cast. Press t r i g g e r a g a i n
to stop l u re at targ et.

S u rf-ca sting Rod

reel seat

fe rru les
. .. .

butt

hand g ri p

hand grip

S U R F CAST I N G ca n be done with a n y type of ta c k le,

but h eavy surf gear is best where waves ro l l in h ig h . It
takes l on g casts t o reach t h e fi rst line o f brea kers where
game fish often feed. The lo ng surf rod helps hold line
h i g h to clear foami ng brea kers, and the sturdy reel with
sta nds strains of c a sting heavy weights a n d fighting
fish. Man y types of artificial lures can be used for sq u id
ding, a form of surf fishi ng, but most s u rf fisherman
prefer to fish on bottom with natural baits.

S U RF-CAST I N G R E E L S

have
wide s p o o l s that hold at l e a st
200 yards of l i n e . They have a
retr ieve ratio of at l e a st 3 to 1
a n d a r e free-s p o o l i n g for easy
casti n g . A l l have sta r d r a g s to
a l low fish to p u l l l i n e out u n d e r
d esired t e n s i o n . M a n y m o d e l s
hove l evel-w i n d d evices.

S U R F S PI N N I N G R E E L S

ore
b u i l t like c o n v e n t i o n a l s p i n n i n g
r e e l s ( p . 8 0 ) , b u t o re l a r g e r a n d
heavier. G e a r s a n d d ra g s ore
h ea vy d uty. Their spools may
h o l d 200 to 500 y a r d s of 8 - to
1 5- p o u n d
lest
m o n o fi l a m ent.
Most hove b o i l -type pick-ups
and h a rd e n e d line r o l l ers.

free-spool l ever

S u rf-costing Reel

92

S u rf-sp i n n i n g Reel

tip-top

g u ide

Rod Belt fo r
s u rf fi s h i n g

S U RF-CAST I N G RODS

have
a long tip and a long hand le.
T h e t i p , m a d e o f g lass o r o f s p l it
b a m boo, is u s u a l l y from 6 to 7
feet l o n g a n d w e i g h s 7 to 1 4
o u nces. The t i p attaches t o a
28.- to 3 2 - i n c h h a r d wood h a n d l e ,
which has t w o g r i ps-o n e just b e
h i n d the screw-l ock i n g reel s e a t
a n d a n other at t h e butt e n d . This
a r r a n g e m e n t g ives leverage for
t h e two- h a n d ed long casts. Most
s u rf-s p i n n i n g rods, which are 8
to 1 0 feet l o n g a n d weig h 8 to
1 2 o u nces, are m a d e of g l ass
and consist of two pieces. They
are joined o r f e r r u l ed near the
m i d d l e o r a few inches a b ove
the h a n d l e . The h a n d l e has cork
g rips a bove a n d below the reel
seat. G u i d e s o n su rf-s p i n n i n g
r o d s a r e v e r y I o r g e to m i n i m i z e
l i n e f r iction i n cost i n g .

Ll N E S f o r s u rf f i s h i n g a r e
u s u a l l y of b ra i d e d n y l o n o r d o c
ron , but m o n o f i l a m e nts can b e
u s e d by s k i l l e d c a s t e r s . For s u r f
casti n g , b ra i d e d n y l o n f ro m 1 8 lo 4 5 - p o u n d test is p o p u l a r . O n
the other h a n d , because of small
d i a m eter a n d h i g h s p e c i f.ic grav
ity, bra i d e d d a c r o n ' s l o w water
resista n c e m a k e s it e x c e l l e n t for
b otto m f i s h i n g i n h eavy, foa m i n g
s u r f . For s p i n n i n g , u s e o n l y
m o n o f i l o m e nts f r o m 6 - t o 20pound lest.

hand grip
Two-piece S u rf
S p i n n i n g Rod
,_ ha n d g r i p

hand grip
S a n d Spike
to hold rod

braided n y l o n

monofi l a m e n t

93

SURF CASTING

H OW TO S U R F CAST Before attempti n g a cast with

a revo lvi ng-spool surf reel, wet your line. This prevents it
from burning your t h u m b on the cast. Sh ift reel i nto free
spool a n d put th u m b fi rm ly on the spoo l . let out 2 o r 3
feet of line, a n d h o ld the rod pointed low opposite the
direction of you r cast, the sinker resting on the g round.
Now bring the rod up with a powerful overhead sweep,
p u l ling downward with your left hand and pushing up
ward with your right. As the rod comes up past the ver
tica l, ease you r th u m b pressure and let the spoo l turn.
let the l i n e run out under your t h u m b; removi n g your
th u m b wi l l ca use a back lash . As the sinker hits the water,
th u m b spoo l h a rd . Surf spi n n i n g is done with sa m e mo
tions, using forefi nger i n stead of th u m b to control line.

SURF SPINNING

94

S U R F CAST I N G 1 . Grasp rod

fi r m l y and sta n d with feet wide
a pa rt for good b a l a nce. S u rf
cost i n g req u i res power as wel l
a s proper t i m i n g .

S U R F S P I N N I N G may be d o n e
l i ke s u rf casti n g ( p . 94) or w i t h a
backcast, shown b e l ow. 1 . H o l d
i n g rod as s h ow n , c a t c h l i n e
with forefi n g e r a n d o p e n t h e bai l .

2 . F a c e a t r i g h t a n g l e to d i rec
tion of cast; b r i n g rod up with
ove r h a n d sweep; p u s h u p with
right hand, p u l l down with left.

2 . G r i p r o d fi r m l y w i t h right
h a n d , fi ng e r s stra d d l i n g reel l e g ,
l eft h a n d o n l ower g r i p . S n a p
r o d back t o position past vertica l .

3 . F o l l ow t h r o u g h ; a p p ly power
past t h e vertical a n d turn y o u r
b o d y i n d i rection of cast to d e
velop m o r e speed a n d power.

3 . Sweep rod fo rwa r d , p u s h i n g

w i t h r i g h t h a n d a n d p u l l i n g with
left to build t h e power and speed
to bring o u t spring action of rod .

4. Lift t h u m b s l ig htly, easi n g

press u re o n t h e spool a n d a l low
i n g it to t u r n . C o ntrol speed
with gentle t h u m b i n g . Stop spool
the i n sta n t s i n ke r h its wate r.

4. Release l i n e by stra i g h te n i n g
forefi n g e r a n d l etti n g l i n e s p i n
f r o m spool . D r o p forefi n g e r t o
the e d g e of t h e s p o o l to slop t h e
c o s t where d esired.

SALT-WAT E R TAC K L E

B i g-game fishing is done

l a rgely on charter boa ts w i th the tac k l e, ba i t and k now

how provided by the charter- boa t capta in. It is less ex
pensive for the occasiona l fisherman to pay the char
ter fees, ranging to wel l over

$ 1 00

a day, than it is

to invest i n the eq u i pment needed for bi g-game fishing.

Genera l sa l t-wa ter f i shing - tro l l i ng, dri ft fishi ng, bot
tom fishing a nd l ive- ba i t fishing - ca n be done with
rel a tively inex pensive tack le a nd boa t eq u i pment .

REELS

f o r big-g a m e a n d g e n
e r a l s a lt-water fi s h i n g a r e simi
lar i n m a n y featu res. A l l have
free-spool cl utches t u r n e d o n o r
off with a l ever, ove rsize c r a n k
g rips, a n d heavy-d uty s pools.
Most have star d rags, located
b en eath t h e h a n d l e h u b and ad
j u sted by a sta r-sh'lped w h ee l .
S o m e h i g h - p riced big-game reels
have d ra g s with ca l i b rated set
t i n g s . Most g e n e r a l - p u r poSL sa ltB i g-g a m e Reel

96

water reels, o r bay reels, a r e

dou ble-multiplying
(the
spool
revolvi n g twice f o r each cra n k of
t h e h a n d l e ) , with r e l a tive l y n a r
row spools a n d b a k e l ite e n d
p l ates.
Big-g a m e reels have
heavier frames and smoother
d rags, and some have gearsh ifts
for v a r i a b l e retrieve ratios. Bay
ree l s h o l d 1 00 to 400 y a r d s of
l i n e ; b i g - g a m e reels, to 1 ,000
y a r d s of 1 30-po u n d d a c r o n .
Bay Reel

RO D S

for bottom fi s h i n g , troll

i n g and b i g -g a m e fi s h i n g range
i n length f r o m 5 to 9 feet. Big
game rods a re b u i lt of h i g h
q u a l ity s p l it- b a m boo, l a m i n ated
wood, or g l a ss. Most have ro l l e r
t o p s a n d h i g h-bridged rol l e r
g u i d e s to r e d u c e l i n e frict i o n .
Tips o n b i g -g a m e rods a re 5 feet
long and weig h from 3 to 40
o u nces. The b utt section varies
from 14 to 24 i n c h e s i n l e n g t h ,
depending o n the tip weight.
Reel seats a re d o u b le-loc k i n g ,
a n d a notched b u tt c a p fits i nto
a g i m b a l {socket) on the boat's
fi g h t i n g c h a i r . Trol l i n g rods are
si m i l a r to b i g - g a m e rods but g e n
e r a l l y l a c k t h e heavy-d uty fea
t u res. Boot rods, used with bay
reels, a r e u s u a l l y made of g la ss
a n d have wood e n h a n d l es a n d
p l a i n g u id e s . They vary from
stiff 5-foot m o d e l s to w h i p py 9footers. Most o r e i n two p i eces,
f e r r u l e d in t h e m i d d l e .

rol l e r top

Boat Rod

roller guide

I.

b utt g u i d e

LINES

f o r s a lt-water f i s h i n g
ra n g e f r o m 1 2 - to 1 30 - p o u n d
test. Monof i l a m e n ts a n d b r a i d e d
d a c r o n h o v e beco m e t h e sta n d
ard l i n e s for m o s t big-game
f i s h i n g . D a c r o n , m o n o f i l o m e n ts,
and b ra i d e d w i r e a r e u s e d in
tro l l i n g , w i t h w i r e the best f o r
f i s h i n g d e e p . For g e n eral s a l t
water u s e , b ra i d ed n y l o n i s b e s t .

tip-top

Big-ga m e Rod

-.__

foreg r i p

- locki n g reel seat -

g i m ba l n otch
b u tt ca p -

97

LEA D E RS

may be used to m a k e a nearly invisi b l e con

nection between the line and the l u re, thus helping to
deceive the fish . Other kinds of leaders provide extra
strength a n d tou g h n ess to with sta nd the cutting of sharp
teeth a n d gill covers or the sawi ng a brasion o n rocks,
logs, pilings, or other underwater objects. Fina l ly, a n d
often overlooked, leaders may e n h a n c e t h e a ction o f
lures. S o m e l u res, i n fact, do n o t w o r k properly u n less
attached to a leader; others wi l l fou l their h ooks on the
line u n less a short, stiff wire leader is used .
FLY -CAST I N G LEADERS

are
a l most i nvisible. They a lso make
it possi b l e to l a n d a fly lig htly
on the water. 'Nylon, Siren , a n d
oth e r
sy nthetic
m o n ofl !! menls
have l a rgely replaced si fk worm
g u t, the classic mate rial for fly.
casti ng leaders. The sy nthetics
o re stro n g e r a n d more u n i form
i n d ia m eter than g u t, a n d they
d o not have to be soaked to
softe n them before they ca n be
used. A fly-casti n g leader may be
of e q u a l d i a mete r, cal led l evel,

t h r o u g h o u t its l e n gth, but the

most effective leader i s ta pered
from a heavy b u tt sectio n to a
s l i m term i n a l section, c a l l e d the
t i p pet. A ta p e red l e a d e r ca n b e
m a d e by ly i n g t o g e t h e r ( w i t h
b l ood k n ots, p. 1 1 4) a s e r i e s o f
s h o rt, g ra d u a l l y l i g hter stra n d s,
as shown below. Some comm er
cial l e a d e r s are reduced i n di
a m eter from butt to t i p p e t with
o u t b e i n g k n otted . F l y leaders
average 7 to 9 feet long, b ut
may r u n to 1 5 or 20 feet.

1 -ft.
20-l b.
2-ft. butt section
30-lb. tesl

9-foot
Tapered leader

98

2-ft. ti ppet
4-lb. test
Pouch for Fly leaders

BAIT-CAST I N G and S P I N
N I N G L E A D E R S serve m a i n l y
ta protect t h e l i n e . T h e y t a k e t h e
b r u n t af t h e w e a r a n d tear.
M a d e af p l a i n a r p l a stic-coated
braided w i re, or of solid sta i n
less steel, t h ey r a n g e i n l e n g t h
f r o m 6 to 1 2 i nches. A safety
s n a p a t the end m a k e s t h e
c h a n g i n g of hooks o r l u res swift
a n d s i m ple, a n d a swivel b e
twee n the l i n e a n d the l e a d e r
prevents twist i n g . When b a i t
casting with a b r a i d e d l i n e,
which is h i g h l y visible, a 4- to
6-foot monofi l a m e n t l e a d e r m a y
be u sed for d eceptio n . I f a l i g ht
test m o n ofi l a m e n t l i n e is used, a
s h o rt m o n o l e a d e r of s l i g htly
stro n g e r test than t h e l i n e serves
a s a g ood shock a bsorber.

swivel
p l a stic-coated
wire leader

B ait-casti n g Leader

Tinned o r Sta i n l e ss Steel

Lead e r twisted to swive l
a n d hook

BOTTOM F I S H I N G LEAD
ERS, of m o n o fi l a m e n t or of s o l i d
or braided wire, protect the l i n e
from fish's teeth a n d a lso locate
hook properly. Often t h e s n e l l
o n h o o k serves a s l e a d e r .

B I G-GAM E F I S H I N G LEAD
ERS r a n g e f r o m 6 to 1 5 feet

i n l e n gth a n d 70- to 500-po u n d

test. Most c o m m o n l y used m a te
r i a l s a re t i n n e d steel ( p i a n o w i re)
o r solid sta i n less steel wire. S ta i n
l e s s wire resists corrosion better
than t i n ned steel but is not as
strong and a l so tends to k i n k
after b e i n g stretched. T i n n e d
wire is s h i n y , however, a n d m a y
reflect l i g h t i n c l e a r w a t e r . Big
g a m e fi s h i n g leaders m a y be
m a d e a l so of heavy m o n o fi l a
m e n t or of c a b l ed sta i n l ess ste e l .
C a b led w i r e i s b e s t w h e r e tests
over 1 50 p o u n d s are needed.

i n sert w i re
thro u g h eye

1 5 ft.

o r so t i g h t, ro u n d
t u r n s w i t h short
e n d of w i re

99

,'

Bite

r\- - - - - -

'
'
'
'

'

'

'

pr Bend
'

Shank

'

hope

'
o\

'

1 - - - - - - - - - - - - -'

PARTS OF A HOOK

H O O K S catch the fish. All other ta ckle serves o n ly to

get the hook to a fish's mouth. Choice of which of the
many fishhook sty les to use depends on the ki nd of fishing
a n d on perso n a l preference. Buy hooks m a d e by a repu
ta ble m a n ufa cturer. Cheap hooks have poor points and
may be made of a m eta l that breaks, bends, or rusts
q uick ly; they lose fish. Check the eye. It should be p u l led
tightly against the shank, leavi ng no cutti ng edge. Ova l
or forged shanks i ndicate a n extra step i n m a n ufacturing,
as do hol low or rol led points. I n sa lt water use hooks
made of nickel a l loy or "tin ned" steel . Salt water rusts
jappaned or lac q uered hooks rapidl y. Hone the points
of hoo ks ofte n ; they are l i k ely to be du l led in use. New
styles are varieties of basic types (pp.

1 0 2- 1 03).

Spear Poi n t

Hol low Poi n t

Ro l l edin Poi n t

Kirbed, Straight, a n d
Reve rsed Bend s

Forged, Reg u l a r,
a n d Oval Wire

B a l l Eye

1 00

Tape red or
Looped Eye

HOOK SIZES range from 2210

or l a rger (fo r s h a rks) to n ovel ty

size 32. Above c h a rt shows size
of hooks i n r o u n d be n d sty le with
sta n d a rd length s h a n ks. Most

m a n ufact u rers use t h i s syst e m .

Avoid u s i n g hooks t h a t a r e t o o
l a r g e . A b i g fi s h c a n be c a u g h t
on a small hook more easily than
a s m a l l fi s h o n a l a rg e h o o k .

101

2X Lon g
Sta ndard

ABERDEEN

hook has round

b e n d a n d wide g a p . O f t h i n
w i r e , it is p o p u l a r l ive-bait hook
for fresh water. Center hook has
sta n d a rd - l e n g t h s h a n k . left hook
is 2X short: #8 s h a n k o n #6
hook. Right hook is 2X l o n g :
# 4 shank on # 6 hook.
ABERDEEN #6

#2

S PROAT #3/0
with wee d g uord

K I RBY h a s a rou n d b e n d a n d a
kirbed point-that is, offset to
the l eft w h e n hook is h e l d s h a n k
d o w n a nd poi n t toward y o u .
Point o f a reversed h o o k is b e n t
to the right. O ff s e t i n hook may
speed hooking. Sl ices i n s h a n k
.h e l p h o l d n a t u r a l baits o n hook.
S P ROAT has a ro u n d b e nd
m uch l ike Kirby except point is
stra ight rather t h a n offset. B e n d s
slightly sharper than in usual
Hook
shown
round
b e n d s.
e q u i pped with t h i n-wire weed
g ua rd to help p reven t fo u l i n g .
EAGLE C L A W

ha s

rou n d

b e n d , a n d the p o i n t i s o f f set t o
r i g h t whe n h oo k i s he l d sho n k
d o w n w i t h p o i n t tow a r d you .
Po i n t b e n d s i n ward t o w a r d sha n k
for

f a st

hol d i n g
sl i ces

DOUBLE HOOK
TREBLE HOOK

1 02

in

penetration

power.
sha n k

and

Ava i l a b l e
to hol d

g ood
w i th

ba i t.

DOU B L E H OO K S a r e m a d e of
s i n g l e wire with s h a n ks, b e n d s,
a n d paints at each e n d . H ooks
are at a b o u t 1 20-d e g ree a ng l e
rather t h a n d i rectly o p posed.
D o u b l e hooks a r e used primarily
for soft baits s u c h a s d o u g h b a l ls.
Treble hooks, made by sol d e r i n g
a third h o o k to a d o u b l e , o r d i
n a rily h a v e s h i n y fi n is h a n d a d d
to flash of a rtifi c i a l l u re .

CARL I S L E h a s r o u n d
kirbed point, a n d l o n g s h a n k ;
com m o n l y u s e d for b i g baits.
Hook shown a bove is s n e l led
thot is, e q u i p ped with a l e n g t h
of l e a d e r . Some s n e l led hooks
hove gut l e a d e rs, others w i r e .
S n e l l e d h o o k s m a y be eyeless.
L I M E RI C K , mode of heavy
w i re,
generally
h a s stra i g h t
point a nd o n a l most r o u n d b e n d .
This v a r i e s with m a n ufact u r e r,
howeve r. T h e L i m e r i c k is of I ri s h
orig i n . S i m i l a r American d e s i g n
is C i n c i n n ati B o s s , which has a
k i rbed p o i n t a n d a r o u n d b e n d .
S H E E P S H EA D h o o k s a r e m o d e
o f h e a v y w i r e a n d h o v e short
s h a n ks. Desig ned especia l l y for
s h a r p - toothed
and
g ristly
mouthed s a lt-water fi s h .
SAL M O N EGG, or Siwosh,
hooks have a l most n o sha n k b u t
hove extra - l o n g points f o r deep,
fast p e n etration i n t o u g h mouth.
H U M P E D S H A N K S are avail
a b l e for m a n y hook styles. T h e
c r i m p s prevent t u r n i n g of c o r k ,
rubber, o r p l a stic body of a rtifi
cial when fastened to long s h a n k .

CARLISlE #5
s n e l led

LIMERICK # 1

S H E E PS H EAD #4

SAlMON EGG H O O K #4

H UM PS H A N K #7

O'SHAU G H N E S SY

sty l e is us
ually
mode of h eavy wire,
forged to g ive t h e hook extra
stre n g t h . B e n d is r o u n d , a n d
p o i n t is t u r n e d i n . This i s a n
a l l - a r o u n d favorite f o r fresh a nd
salt water. It is m a d e of n i c k e l ,
nickel a l l oy, o r t i n n e d ste e l . Size
shown is for big fi s h .

0======

1 03

OTH E R M ET H O D S of fishing can be g reat fun a n d

h i g h ly productive, t h o u g h often considered t o b e less

sporting than fishing with rod and ree l. Some of th ese
methods are especia l ly suitable for ta king kinds of fish,
parti c u la r ly rough fish, that ca n not be caught easily with
conventi o n a l tackle. Ice fishing eq uipment is for use in
the north ern winter season.
TROT L I N E S

B O W S a n d A R ROWS Ta c k l e
c o n s i s t s of s i m p l e r e e l t h a t f a s t e n s
a bove o r b e l ow g r i p o n bow. Th e
reel h o l d s 50 to 1 00 feet of
stro n g , soft-b r a i d ed n y l o n l i n e .
The l i n e is t i e d to the a rrow or to
the point and s l ips from reel
easily as a rrow is s h ot. Points
ore ba rbed to hold fi s h .

o re h e avy l i n es
from w h ich hong many b a ited
hooks o n short pieces of l i n e .
Stru n g between b u oys o r b o n ks,
trot l i nes are used p r i n c i pa l ly
f o r s u c h fi s h as catfish in fresh
water and cod i n s a lt water. I n
j u g fis h i n g , each ba ited hook
and line i s tied to a floating jug
o r co n , which holds hoo ked fish.

S P EARS a n d G I G S a r e used
from b o n ks, b r i d g es, a nd boats
and by skin d ivers, who u s u a l l y
use a s i n g le-poi n t s p e a r with a
metal s h a ft. It m a y be jobbed by
h a n d or shot from r u b ber s l i n g o r
compressed g a s g u n . Gigs, used
from a bove water, h a ve 3- o r S
prong heads a n d l o n g h a n d l e .

s=:a

::';::

H a rpoon
point

1 04

i th Reel

p r o b a b l y pro
d uces mo r e fi s h per va l u e of
t a c k l e t h a n a n y ather method .
Tools a n d t a c k l e for ice fi s h i n g
a r e s i m p l e a n d i n ex p e nsive. A
s p u d , or ice c h i se l , is needed for
cutting h o l es i n t h e ice. T h i s c a n
be b o u g h t i n a t a c k l e s h o p o r
m a d e by we l d i n g a c a r penter's
c h isel to a length of iron p i p e .
(A h o l e c a n not be s h a ped prop
e r l y with an axe o r a hatchet.)
An ord i n a ry kitc h e n stra i n e r ca n
be used as a s k i m m e r to keep
t h e h o l e o p e n , b u t speci a l l y d e-

Tip-up

sig ned s k i m m e r s a r e m a n ufac

tu red . Automatic t i p - u ps a re
devices d e s i g n e d so t h a t a fis h
raises a fl a g o r r i n g s a b e l l w h e n
it strikes. T i p - u p s a r e m o s t u se
ful in l ive-ba it fis h i n g for p i k e,
pickerel, a n d w a l leyes. F i s h i n g
sticks, w h i c h a re l i k e t i n y r o d s ,
a r e exce l l e n t for use with spoo n s
or w i t h weig hted i c e fl ies, w h i c h
are j i g g e d u p a n d d o w n to at
tract s u c h fi s h a s perch, c r a p pies,
and b l u e g i l l s . All n a t u r a l b a i t s
a re good for ice fis h i n g . C r a ppies
prefe
m i n n ows.

Fishing Stick

Spud
Skimmer
I ce h o l e

Use s p u d to cut h o l e wider a t

bottom than at top . Ro u n d off
s h a r p edges.

1 05

ACC E S S O RY TAC K L E helps i n d i rectly in catch i n g

fi sh a n d may be very im porta nt. A si n ker t h a t holds t h e
b a i t n e a r the bottom i n the tide, or the bobber ( p . 1 08)
that keeps the bait j ust off the bottom and indicates when
a fish is biting-th ese a re a ccessories that serve i m porta nt
functions. Swivels a n d snaps (p. 1 09) a re a lso h i g h ly use
ful. La nding n ets, gaffs, tackle boxes, bait buckets (pp.
1 1 0- 1 1 1 )-accessories of this type h e l p less di rectly but
add g reatly to fishing success. Other accessories (pp. 1 1 21 1 3) add to the comfort a n d convenience of a fi s h i n g tri p.
S I N K E R S are lead weights molded i n various sha pes
a n d sizes. They are used mainly to keep a bait or l u re at
the desi red level i n the water, but i n some cases their pur
pose is to provide weight for casti n g . Used in a l l types
of fishing, sin kers should be just heavy enough to hold the
bait where it is wa nted.

BOTTO M - FI S H I N G S I N KERS
( S a l t Water) The Bo n k S i n ke r
( 1 ) is o n i n e x p e n sive g ood g e n
eral-pu rpose s i n k e r . I t i s u s u a l l y
t i e d b e l o w the h o o k , a s ore s u c h
o t h e r com m o n t y p e s a s t h e
R o u n d (2) a n d t h e D i a m on d
s h a ped (3). The Egg S i n ke r (4)
slides on t h e l i n e a n d w o r k s w e l l
for l i g ht-biti n g , w a ry fis h ; t h e
fisherm a n c o n feel t h e s l i g htest
bite and the fish d oes not d etect
the weight. The Pyra m i d S i n k e r
(5) is used i n s u rf fi s h i n g o n s a n d y
bottoms. The B u l ldozer (6) h a s
g reat h o l d i n g p o w e r i n sa n d bot
toms. The D i psey (7), pear
s h a ped with swiveled brass cen
ter stem, g ood for s u rf fi s h i n g
over rocky bottom s .

1 06

TRO L L I N G S I N K ERS

hold a
b a i t or l u re at the d esired d e p t h
when tro l l i n g a t a partic u l a r
speed . I n the conventio n a l types
( 1 ) the l i n e is fastened a t o n e
e n d a n d the l e a d e r a t the other.
The flat, hea rt-s h a ped style (2)
folds over t h e l i n e a n d forms a
keel t h a t hel ps to prevent t h e
l i n e f r o m twisti n g .

S P E C I A L P U RPOSE S I N K E R S
i n c l u d e t h e No-Snag type ( 3 )
that p l a n e s to t h e s u rface w h e n
retrieved rather t h a n d ra g g i n g
a l o n g the bottom . C o l ored Ba n k
S i n kers (4) h e l p attract fl o u n d e rs
a n d other k i n d s of fi s h . C a s t i n g
Sin kers (5) a re used a head o f
l i g h t l u res to g ive w e i g h t for
easier casti n g .

STI LL-FI S H I N G S I N K E R S

( F resh Water) The Ad j u sta b l e

S i n ke r ( 1 ) i s attached to the l i n e
by m e a n s o f c o i l e d b rass r i n g s
a t each e n d o f t h e s i n k e r . C l i n c h
e r s (2} a r e g rooved a n d have
ears that c a n be b e n t a r o u n d the
line to hold t h e s i n k e r i n place.
S p l it-shot S i n kers (3) a r e fa s
tened to the l i n e s i m i l a rly; l i ke
other s i n kers, they come in a
v a riety of sizes b u t a re never
l a rge, r a n g i n g from B B size to
l a rg e b uckshot. The Gator Grip
S i n k e r (4) is r e u s a b l e, a s a re
the W r a p a r o u n d S i n ke r s (5).
which a r e strips of l e a d r i b b o n
that a re wou n d a r o u n d the l i n e
to g ive t h e d esired weight.
Di pseys ( p . 1 06) a r e a l s o used.

1 07

B O B B E R S , or floats, are used m a i n ly as i ndicators to

tell when a fi s h is biti ng. They a lso hold ba its a t a de
si red level-out of the weeds and bottom debris or away
from bottom-feeding fish-a nd some kinds a re d esig n ed
to attract fish. T h e simplest bobbers a re made of un
fi n ished cork or of a light wood, such a s ba lsa. Many of
the com merci a l bobbers a re made of p lasti c a n d h ave
patented devices to make it ea sy to fasten t h e m on the
line or to change their positio n . Brig htly colored bobbers
are easiest to see, most common being red a n d wh ite.
P LA I N CORKS ( 1 ) m a y be s l i t
to hold th em on t h e l i n e , or they
ca n be b o u g h t with a center
h o l e t h r o u g h w h ich t h e l i n e is
threaded a n d t h e n h e l d i n place
with a stick ( 2 ) . O n e of the most
p o p u l a r varieties is t h e C o r k
Ba l l (3) . Egg F l oats ( 4 ) are com
m a n , colorf u l commerc i a l types,
w h i l e t h e Q u i l l Float (5) and the
P e n c i l Float (6) a re preferred

fo r l i g h t.biting o r suspicious fish,

a s they offer little resista nce.
Pop p i n g Corks (7) m a k e a g u r
g l i n g or p o p pi n g n o i se w h e n
je rked a n d a r e u sed to attract
game fish to the bait. Casti n g
F loats (8) o d d wei g h t for casti n g
l i g h t l u res o r baits and ore u su
ally mode to be fi l led with water
to gel the exact weight desi red,
a s o re P l a stic B u b b les (9 ) .
4

)
1 08

Barrel Swivels

K e l u x Swive ls
12

Bal l-bea ri n g
Swivel s
actu a l sizes

i J,

SW I V E L S permit a l u re or bait to rotate without twist

i n g the line a n d do not i n h i bit the action of the bait or
l u re. Barrel swivels con sist of two loops of wire with
their ends tucked i nside a brass barre l . Very si m i la r types,
such as the Kelux, lack the twisted loops of wire exposed
at the neck and have a cylindrica l barrel . Ba ll- bea ring
swivels are ca refu lly machi ned a n d rotate freely on
sta i n less-stee l ba l l beari ngs.
S N A P S provide a quick and convenient way to change
hooks or l u res. Safety sna ps, which operate like a safety
pin, a re made of h eavy sta i n l ess-steel wire a n d have a
brass c o l l a r. S n a p swive ls consist of a s n a p at o n e end of
a swivel a n d a re often used when no leader is necessary.
Safety S n a p s
actual sizes

2
6

S n a p Swivels
actual sizes

1 09

Belt Bait Box

M i n now Bucket

BA I T C O N TA I N E R S of proper design a re fa r su perior

to makeshift receptacles. The i n ner sections of m i n now
buckets a re perforated so they drain q u ickly and make
it easy to pick out the m i n nows. Worms ca n be kept a live
for a long ti me in damp m oss in i n su lated boxes with
porous wa l l s. Specia l worm or insect boxes that can be
worn on the belt a re especi a l ly useful when wad i n g .

TACKLE BOXES keep l ures, hooks and accessories i n

order. Tackle b oxes may be made o f metal, wood or plas
tic, and come i n a wide range of sizes. Some are designed
for use from boat, others for fishing from bank. Deep
compartments keep dry-fly hackles from being crushed.
In wet-fly boxes and in fly hooks, flies are carried flat.
Dry-fly Box

Wet-fly Box

1 10

GA FFS AN D LAN D I N G N ET S a re used to h e l p l and

played-out fish. Nets used by waders have a very short
h a n d le, often with a snap for faste n i n g it to a ri n g o r
l o o p on the c r e e l strap. Boat n ets h a v e a l o n g h a n d le of
a l u m i n u m or wood. Gaffs, which a re large barbless hooks
on h a n d les, a re used for large fish . Bil lies o re used to
subdue large fish after landing.

CREELS AND STRI NGERS keep the catch fresh a n d

carry i t conveniently. Creels, used m ostly i n trout fishing,
are made of split wil low, rattan, or canvas. A stri nger
may be a heavy cord with a need le at o n e end a n d a ring
at the other. Better is chain type with individual snaps to
hold fish throug h lips. Live bags are h u n g overboa rd.

live Bag

C reel

C h a i n Stri n g e r

111

TOOLS of many kinds a re usefu l

to the fisherm a n ; o n ly the m ost i m
porta nt a re s h o w n h e re. Clippers,
for cutting lines and leaders and for
tri m m ing knots; p liers with wire
cutters, for m a k i n g leaders a n d re
pairing tackle. A hone, to keep
hooks and kn ife sharp; a k nife for
cutti ng bait and clea n i n g the catch .
U n hooking a fish is easy w1th a dis
gorger. For tro l l i n g or sti l l fi s h i n g , a
rod holder leaves both h a nds free.
Deliar wei g h s and measures fish .

FLY-L I N E DRESSI N G h e l p s
keep a f l y l i n e sm ooth a n d water
proof. Dry F l y O i l m u st be u sed
to keep fl ies floati n g .

R E E L O I L A N D G R EASE

pro
l o n g l ife of reel and a l so in
crease its smoot h n ess of o pera
lion for casti n g and p l a x i n g fi s h .
Reel Oil

Jacket

C LOTH I N G for the fisherman puts

function a h ead of style. The m a n y
pockets i n a fi sherma n's vest or
jacket hold l u res, leaders a nd a cces
sories. Hats and caps shade his eyes
a n d p rotect his head from the beat
ing s u n . With boots and waders he
can wade cold water in comfort.
Wading shoes a re worn over stock
ing foot waders. Polaroid g lasses cut
g la re and enable fisherman to
"read" the water a n d to see fish
u n derwater.
Po l a roid G l o sses

I N S ECT

R E P ELLENTS kee p
away t h e m o sq u itoes, g n ats, s a n d
fl i es, a n d c h i g g e r s t h a t s p o i l
m a n y fi s h i n g t r i p s .

SU NTAN

LOTI O N S protect
face from s u n's b u r n i n g rays, in
ten sified b y reflection from water.

113

K N OT S that hold secu rely without slipping or seriously

weakening the line are essentia l i n fi s h i n g . The choice of
the right knot is especi a l ly i m porta nt with synthetic line
a n d leader materia ls, both braided a n d m onofi l am ent,
as they tend to slip easi ly and to wea ken more than si l k
or l i n e n w h e n knotted. A l l the knots i l l ustrated h ere a re
satisfactory for synthetics. Cut old knots a n d tie new ones
from ti me to ti me when fishing, since all knots fray and
weaken with use. I n tyi ng, a lways p u l l knots tight slowly
a n d steadi ly; never with a jerk. Ends ca n be tri m m ed with
c lippers or singed with a match to form a bead of fused
materi a l s that helps to keep the knot from slippi n g .

I M PROVED C L I N C H KNOT
is used to tie l u re, hook, or swivel
to m o n o fi l a m e n t l i n e or l e a d e r .

B L O O D K N OT

is best for join

i n g pieces of m o n o fi l a m e n t of
a b o u t the s a m e d iameter.

1 14

LARK'S H EA D K N OT uses Per

fection loop (p. 1 1 5) to attach
swivels, hooks, o r l u res to l i n e .

D O U B L E S U RG E O N ' S K N OT
is u sed to j o in l i nes of widely
d ifferent d iameters.

N A I L K N O T is u s e d to j o i n the
b u tt of m o n o f i l a m e n t leader se
c u re l y Ia t h e l i n e.

BIMI N I TWIST KNOT is u s e d

to m a ke a s e c u r e , n o n - s l i p l o o p
at th e e n d o f t h e l i n e .

JAM K N OT

is u s e d t o attach
fly line to a l o o p of m o n o fi l .
o m e n ! o r to a g u t l e a d e r .

P E RFECT I O N LOOP g ives n o

"dog-leg " w i t h m o n ofi l a m e nt,
is stron g with a l l l i n e m a teria l s .
2

+-

pull
t h ro u g h loop A

p u l l tight a n d
trim e n d

fl'

1 15

T E R M I N A L R I G S present the bait or l u re to the fi s h .

S o m e are used t o h o l d a bait w h e r e fish ca n s e e it or to
keep it out of the rea ch of cra bs or rou g h fi s h . Others
a l low a fish to run with the bait without feel i n g the si n ker.
Some a re used to permit fishing more tha n one bait or
l u re at a time.

BOTTOM RIGS

c a n be u sed
e i t h e r i n fresh o r i n salt water.
I l l ustrated are ( 1 ) a g e n e r a l - p u r
pose two-hook r i g ; (2) a winter
flounder r i g, w h i c h is good also
for other species; a n d (3) a
sheepshead r i g , with l i n e feed
ing t h r o u g h e g g sinker so weight
d oes n ot bother w a ry fish .

F I S H F I N D E R R I G S a l low fis h
to take l i n e w i t h o u t fee l i n g t h e
resista nce o f t h e s i n ker. They a re
espec i a l l y useful in t h e s u rf b u t
a r e a lso g o o d i n f resh w a t e r . I l
l u strated are a sta n d a r d fi s h
fi n d e r r i g ( 4 ) a nd a fishfi n d e r r i g
w i t h a c o r k b a l l (5) t h a t keeps
bait off t h e bottom .

1 16

line

e'

-------

line

weak line

p y ram id
sinker

SU R F R IGS O n s a n d bea c h e s
a pyra m i d s i n k e r ( 1 ) h o l d s b e s t .
I n roc k s , ba n k s i n k e r ( 2 ) o r d i psey

is tied to a w e a k piece of l i n e be
low t h e h o o k . W h e n a h a n g - u p
occurs, s i n k e r b r e a k s off e a s i l y .

I
cork ca
attache
desi red

S P RE A D E R R I G S

(a bove) use
sta i n less steel o r b r o n z e spread
e rs to keep hooks a pa rt at s a me

l evel ( 1 ) or to h o l d hooks o u t
f r o m l i n e (2) . Corks m a y be u sed
to keep baits off bottom .

LIVE- L I N E RIGS

swivel ( 1 ). o r i n a n o t h e r type ( 2 )
p l a stic float a n d c l i n c h e r s i n k e r
a re u s e d o n m o n ofi l a m e n t l i n e .

( a bove) pre
sent l ive baits n a t u r a l ly. lea d e r
m a y be c o n n ected t o t h e l i n e a t

1 17

swivel

d i p sey s i n k e r

TRO L L I N G RIGS a r e used to

hold l u re at d e s i red d e p t h . Keel
R i g ( l ) prevents l i n e twist by
u se af a p l astic keel between
--

f-

swtve l

s i n ker a n d swiv e l . Tria n g l e Rig

( 2 ) uses d i psey s i n k e r on w e e k
l i n e to get d e p t h a n d to a l l ow
easy brea koff if s i n k e r s n a g s .

--/

m a i n leader

snap

------

../

t ra i l i n g l e a d e r

(.._

_
_
____
_
__
_

D O U B L E-J I G R I G (a bove) is
m a d e by attac h i n g s n a p of trail
i n g l e a d e r through lower swivel
eye of m a i n l e a d e r .

1 18

S P LAS H E R-J I G RIGS attract

fi s h by sou n d . Dowel ( l ) o r a
p o p p i n g c o r k (2) m a y be at
tached betwee n line and l e a d e r .

small spoon

COM B I NATION

RIGS

fi s h a c h o i c e of two l u res.
popu l a r combinations are:
s u rface p l u g t r a i l e d by a
s p o o n , exce l l e n t f o r W h ite

offer
Three
(1) a
small
Ba ss;

(2) feather j i g a n d p l u g r i g ,
g ood for ma n y fresh- a n d s a l t
water g a m e fi s h ; (3) p o r k r i nd
strip a n d p l u g c o m b i n a t i o n , a
favorite for Striped Bass in s u rf.

d ry fly

wet fly

--

wet fly

D RO P P E R FLY R I G S

a re pop
u l a r i n trout fi s h i n g . Shown a re
( 1 ) a d ry-fly d ro p p e r that serves

stre a m e r

a s a n i n d icator, o r " b o b b e r/' f o r

w e t fly o r n y m p h , ( 2 ) strea m e r fly
with a wet-fly d ro p pe r .

1 19

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO F I S H

A good fisherman ca n fi s h different types of water with
success. He knows how to read water conditions and
understa nds the h a bits of fish. This knowledge i s as im
porta nt for catc h i n g fish as a n u n dersta nding of ta c k l e
a n d h ow t o u s e i t .
F i s h a re opportu nists. If conditions
suit them, they ge nera l ly feed whenever food i s avai l
a ble. A hatch of i n sects on a strea m bri ngs the trout out
of hiding. A school of m i n nows stirs the appetites of bass
or mackere l . Sometim es, often i n com petition with oth ers
of their kind, fish w i l l conti nue to eat u n ti l they are too
fu l l to swa l low more. Again, they may refuse food for
long periods, even when it is dang led in front of t h e m .
The tem perature of the water has a d i rect bea ring on
. a fish's h u nger a n d a ctivity. If the wa ter temperature is
too low, fish become inactive. As the water temperature
c l i m bs, its disso lved oxygen content decreases, and again

WHY FISH B ITE

1 20

the fish become less active. Somewhere between these

extremes is a temperature ra nge that fish seek, a n d it dif
fers with each species. largemouth Bass a re most a ctive
when the water temperature is between 65 and 75 de
g rees, w h i l e S m a l l mouth Bass prefer slightly cooler water
-60 to 70 deg rees. For Brook Trout, the best temperature
is from 50 to 65 degrees. lake Trout a re most active in
water i n the low 40's. In fishing deep la kes, some fisher
men lower thermometers to measure the temperature of
the water at various levels, then put their baits or l u res
at the proper depth for the fish they a re after.
Tides and cu rrents bri n g food to fish . Ga m e fish feed
where strong cu rrents keep bait fish, shrimp, and other
food a n i m a ls stirred up. Salt-water fi s h look for food on
the turn of the tide, as the reversed flow of water u n covers
hiding food a n ima ls. Most fishermen favor the i n co m i n g
(flood) tide, but t h e outgoing ( e b b ) t i d e may be a s g ood
or better, pa rticula rly in its early stages when the bait
i s most d i sturbed ( p p . 1 3 6 - 1 3 7) . li kewise, i n fresh wa
ter, s m a l l strea m s enterin g l a rg er strea m s o r l a kes may
ca rry food and are l i kely places to find fis h feed i ng .
Except as it is related to tides, the moon h a s n o d i rect
effect on fis h activity.
I n both fresh and sa lt water, fish that find their food by
sight prefer clea r water; scent and taste feeders a re more
a ctive at night or i n m u rky water. A l l fish stop feed i n g , at
least tem pora ri ly, whe n frig htened. Most fish seem to
feed spa ri n g ly during unsettled weathe r conditions. It
seems genera l ly true that fish feed more actively when
the ba rom eter i s risi ng than when it i s fa l l i n g , but the
availabi lity of food and the temperatu re of t h e water
a re more importa nt. Calendars ca n n ot make accu rate
predictions of good fishing days with a n y more relia bility
than they can predict the weather.
121

 Most of the m ethods descri bed

h e re a re useful in both fresh and salt water and wi l l work
equally well with different kinds of tackle. A few were
developed for a pafti c u lar type of water or kind of ft s h .
For rigs, s e e pp. 1 1 6- 1 1 9.

F I S H I N G M ET H O D S

ST I L L F I S H I N G ,

with n a t u r a l
ba its a n d with h a n d l i ne, c a n e
pole, o r r o d a n d r e e l , m a y b e
d o n e from s h ore, b r i d g e , p i e r, o r
a n c hored boat. T h e b a i t m a y be
fished a n t h e bottom o r h e l d off
bottom by a float. T h e bait is
a l lowed to remain m o r e o r less
sti l l until a fish bites.

D R I FT F I S H I N G is done by
tra i l i n g t h e l i ne b e h i n d a d rift.
ing boat. The l i n e may be u n
weighted , w e i g h t e d to r e a c h the
bottom, o r h e l d at a d esi red
level i n the wate r by atta c h i n g
a f l oat. N a t u r a l b a i t s are best
f o r drift f i s h i n g , b u t j i g g e d a rt i
f i c i a l s a r e a l s o good ( p . 1 2 3).
LIVE L I N I NG,

m ost e ffective i n
tideways a n d flo w i n g stre a ms,
is a method i n w h i c h n a t u r a l
b a i t s a re a l l owed to d r ift with
t h e c u r re n t over a n d t h r o u g h
" h o l es" w h e r e fi s h l i e . U s u a l ly,
n o sinker is used, b u t t h e bait
m a y be h e l d a t a d e s i r e d level i n
t h e w a t e r by atta c h i n g a fl o a t .

1 22 ., /

< :: : . .
.
.
.
:.. _ .
- ,
: ..

r .

,.

CH U M M I N G is a m e a n s of at
tracting fish by t h r o w i n g q u a nti
ties of g r o u n d - u p bait ( c h u m )
into the w a t e r f r o m s h o r e o r from
a boat, or by s t i r r i n g n a t u r a l
f o o d s from b ottom with a rake.
C h u m m i n g p u ts fi s h i n a fee d i n g
m o o d a n d h e l ps t h e m to over
come t h e i r n a t u r a l c a u t i o n .

TRO L L I N G is u s u a l l y d a n e by
t ra i l i n g a n a rtifi c i a l or n a t u r a l
bait b e h i n d a m ovi n g b o a t . Trol
ling speed and t h e d e p t h of b a it
or l u re a r e varied with t h e k i n d
of fish b e i n g s o u g h t . Towi n g a
b ait or l u re w h i l e w a l k i n g a l o n g
a b r i d g e o r p i e r is a l s o tro l l i n g
(see Tro l l i n g Rigs, p. 1 1 8) .
M OOCH I N G,

a modified type
of trol l i n g , i s used i n fi s h i n g f o r
Pacific S a l m o n . T h e bait is s u n k
d e e p w i t h a h e avy s i n k e r, t h e n
b r o u g h t u pward a t a n a n g l e a s
t h e b o a t is r u n forward a few
yards. The boat is slopped a n d
t h e b a i t s i n k s . T h i s raising a n d
lowe r i n g is repeated ofte n .

c /c
_ _

JIGGING

i s d o n e by j e r k i n g a
l u re stra i g h t u pw a r d , t h e n l et
t i n g it f a l l b a c k a g a i n . The l u re
is kept in a l m ost conti n u o u s mo
tion, and fish u s u a l l y strike as
j i g is o n rise. Jigs ( p . 70) were
developed to be used i n t h i s
m a n n e r . J ig g i n g is used i n fresh
o r sal t water, a l s o i n ice fi s h i n g .

BOTTOM BOU N C I N G is a
type of j ig g i n g in w h i c h t h e l u re
or s i n k e r is a l lowed to b u m p t h e
bottom a n d r a i s e a p u ff of sa n d
o r m u d . T h i s method is v e r y ef
fective with b u c kt a i l j i g s a n d a l so
works w e l l i n bottom fi s h i n g
w i t h n a t u r a l b a its. T h e com mo
tion stirs fis h to strike.

..

j
i

'

..

'

;.- .-

1 23

A b o u l d e r in midstream
s p l its c u r re n t, creati n g
a q u iet spot with a
t u r b u l e n t a rea behi n d
i t . Fish c a n rest i n
ca l m spot, feed i n
crosscu rrents below.

S T R EA M S offer a changing variety of feedi n g stations

for fish . I n all streams, there are stretches w h ere fish are
plentif u l and others i n which there a re few o r no fi s h .
Finding the m ost p rod u ctive spots is s i m p l y a m atter o f
"reading" the strea m to discover where the fish wi l l b e
f o u n d when feeding a n d where they rest.
A fast stream usua l ly has some deep pools, riffles, flats,
eddies, ba ckwaters, ra pids, and perhaps even waterfa l ls.
Trout and sa lmon a re the principa l game fish of fast, cold
strea ms. When feeding, trout may lie i n the m a i n cu rrent,
i n the deep water just over d rop-offs or behind bou lders
where the current is slowed . S m a l lmouth Bass, Wa lleyes,

log j a m s o r rocks
a g a i n st one bank may
cause an eddy o n the
downstream side. Ed
d i e s hold and concen
Irate food and provide
easy fee d i n g for fi s h .

fish often concen trate

below wate rfa l l s be
cause they ca n ' t get
p a st them. C h u rned
water below f a l l s is
rich i n oxyg en, m a k i n g
fish active.

a n d panfish a re c o m m o n in warmer but sti l l cool strea ms.

Fish a re g e n era l ly found where they ca n feed comforta b l y
a n d safe ly. Bass a n d Wa l l e y es usua l ly stay i n deep
eddies or i n l a rge pools but com m o n l y move i nto the
riffles at the head of a pool to feed i n early m o r n i n g or
at dusk. This is especia l l y true i n m i d s u m m er, w h e n the
fish tend to stay i n deep o r shaded water d u ri n g the h eat
of the day. If the water beco mes very warm, fish may
feed o n ly at night. Fish of fast strea ms a re h i g h l y ca utious
a n d keep hidden when n ot feed i n g . W h e n a s u p p l y of
food brings th em out of h iding, they beco m e less wa ry,
but sti l l they demand ca reful fi s h i n g .

Riffles a re stretches of
fast, slig htly t u r b u l e n t
s h a l l ow water, cften
leading
i n to pools.
fish feed w h e re riffles
t u m b le food i n to slow
e r water of pools.

.:::

:=:::!:;
.

. ,.

...

:=::::::::.=::::!::
.

. . ...
.. . . .

::'; .
.

O n e shore is often
fairly d eep , with brush
o r trees shading the
water. Opposite shore,
if i l ldefi ned, s h a l low,
a n d weedy, m a kes good
feed i n g g ro u nds.

. . ... . . . . .
. ..., ..
. . . . .

..

Slow strea m s usua lly meander. At bends, there a re

deep holes a n d undercut ba n ks. Often there a re l i ly pads,
water weeds, o r scr u b thickets a long the banks, and some
times trees shade. the shore line. I n wide, deep stretch es,
the water may be nearly sti l l; wh ere the stream na rrows,
there may be a strong cu rrent. The principal fish of slow
fresh-water strea m s are largemouth Bass, Muske l l u nge,
pickerels, catfish, a n d pa nfish. Snook, Tarpon, Stri ped
Bass, and wea kfish are often fou nd in slow tid a l strea ms.
Bends a re among the best spots to fish in slow strea ms.
Here the fish get both food and cover i n the deep holes
and u ndercut ba nks. Schooling panfish cong regate along

'
B e n d s have deep holes
and u n dercut b a n ks
a l o n g their outer sides
w h e re fi s h congregate.
The inside of a bend
is
usually
s h a l low,
often with a sa n d b a r .

1 26

A drop-off in stream
bottom ,
where
the
deep wate r is down
stream from the s h a l low, is a n a t u r a l spot
for fish to l i e i n wait
for foo d .

the outer edge of such bends. Bass, Muske l l u n g e a n d

pickerel freq uently feed i n t h e weedy stretches o f shore
line or at the mouths of sma ller feede r streams, w h e re
baitfish a re often p lentifu L I n tida l creeks, feeder strea m s
a re especi a l ly good on the fa lling tide, w h e n the fl ow ca r
ries food i nto the m a i n strea m .
Stream s change quick ly; swift strea m s a re a ltered i n
cha racter more ra pidly t h a n slow strea ms. loads o f sa n d
a n d silt a re deposited b y flood waters, w h e n c u rrents cut
new channels a n d create new bends, pools, a n d rapids.
Most strea m s m u st be studied again each season to fi nd
the most p rod uctive spots to fish.

Feeder creeks entering

the m a i n stre a m carry
boitfish a n d other food
to h u n g ry g a m e fi s h .
Su c h s pots o r e e x c e l
l e n t i n tidal e s t u a r i e s
o n outg o i n g t i d e.

1 27

P O N D S A N D S H A L LOW LA K E S

Pickerel i n weed b e d .

B as s i n shade af l i l y p a d s .

C rappie i n b r u s h p i l e .
Feeder stream b r i n g s food.

a re usua l ly good fi s h i n g waters.

P lants grow in a bundance i n rich,
sha l low waters a n d i n turn support
a la rge popu lation of fish a n d
s m a l l e r animals on which they feed .
I n warm to moderately cool ponds
a n d la kes, the typica l fish a re North
ern Pike, largemouth Bass, S m a l l
m o u t h Bass, Wa lleyes, Yellow Perch,
Blueg i l ls, pickerels, crappies, b u l l
h eads, a n d m a n y o f the s m a l l e r
panfish . Cold-water l a k e s a n d ponds
i n the mountai n s or i n the North may
a lso yield Brook, Brown , Rai n bow or
other trouts.
Both game fish and panfish feed
a long the shore l in e and where
there are weeds or other cover for
the food a n i m a l s and for the s m a l le r
fi s h t o h i d e from the larger fis h .
O p e n water at the e d g e o f weed
beds can be fished with natura l baits
and with most artificials. Weed less
l u res ca n be worked right through
the weeds without fou li n g . S u rface
l u res wi l l ride over the top of sub
merged weeds. S hore lines of lakes
a re fished most effectively by cast
ing l u res from a boat towa rd the
shore. S m a l l ponds can be fished
from the ba nk, and someti mes the
l ure or bait ca n be worked from
shore to shore.

Weedless l u res
ful in s h a l l ow
co m m o n l y feed
and s n a g -fi l led

are especi a l ly u se
l akes, where fish
and rest in weedy
a reas (see p . 66).

Deep, coo l pockets a re pa rticularly good fi s h i n g spots

in s u m mer, when the water in the pond i s com m o n ly warm
from top to bottom . Fish may a lso rest where the water is
shaded by overh a n g i n g bra n ches of trees o r bushes or
l i ly pads spread over the surface. Frequently t h ey will
cong regate where feede r strea ms or springs enter a pond
or lake. Here the water is coo ler i n summer a n d wa rmer
in winter and is usua l ly richer with food carried i n by the
cu rrent. Brush piles, fa ll en trees, old docks, or oth er o b
jects under the water a re favorite lairs of g a m e fish, a s
a re the stu m p- and snag-fi l led a reas common i n m a n
m a d e lakes. S h o a l s extending o u t from s hore a n d bor
dered by drop-offs to deeper water a re a lso choice feed
ing grounds and prod uctive fishing spots.

In fishing a shallow
Ia ke, keep y o u r boat
well out from shore.
Fi rst m a ke s hort casts
(1 and 2 ) to weed
beds o r s h o a l s . T h e n
m a ke l o n g e r casts t o
reach t h e s h o r e l i n e s
a n d close-i n cove r (3
a n d 4).

1 29

D E E P LA K E S provide fish with the sa me sorts of food

and cover situations as do ponds and s h a l low lakes (p.
1 28), but beca use a large, deep lake covers a g reat a rea,
its best fishing spots may be h a rder to find. In addition to
the kinds of fish fou n d i n ponds a n d s h a l low la kes, such
species a s la nd locked Sa lmon, lake Tro ut, a n d Muskel
lunge, which n eed more space o r colder water, may be
fou n d in these larger bodies of water.
.
As i n ponds, s h a l low la kes, a n d strea ms, fish a re most
a bu n d a n t nea r edges, where two or more types of
ha bitat m eet a n d thus furnish food a n d cover a l l i n

1 30

one spot. The m ost conti n uous edge i s the shore l i n e,

some pa rts of which a re more prod u ctive tha n others.
Best a re sharply slopi ng banks or places provi d i n g rocks,
logs, brush, or trees as cover for fish. Also g ood a re shady
coves, weed beds, rock ledges, or bars that stretch out
from poi nts of land a n d create shoa ls where fish feed .
Large, deep lakes c h a n g e i n c h a ra cter with t h e sea so n .
Before a l a k e freezes i n wi nter, t h e water throughout t h e
l a k e coo ls t o 3 9 . 2 deg rees F., the temperature at w h i c h
water i s h eaviest. When water becomes colder t h a n 3 9 . 2
deg rees F . , it becomes lig hter a n d no l o n g e r sinks. F i na l ly
-at 32 deg rees F.-it turns to i ce, which litera l ly fl oats o n
t h e top. I n wi nter, most of t h e fi s h i n t h e l a k e seek t h e
deepest level at which they c a n fi n d sufficient oxyge n for
their su rviva l; this happens a lso to be the wa rmest wate r .
Som e fish, such a s C h a i n Pickerel, Wa l l eyes, a n d Yel low
Perch, conti n u e to feed a ctive ly even u n d e r t h e ice a n d
a re caught by ice fis h i n g methods (p. 1 05).
When t h e ice melts i n spri n g , the water fi rst becomes
I n w i n ter, a l a ke freezes over
alter s u rfac e t e m p e r a t u re of
water d rops b e l ow 32 F . Most
fish become i n a ctive and stay in
deep water w h e r e it is w a r m e r .
Ye l low P e r c h a n d o f e w ot h e r
k i n d s c o n ti n u e to f e e d a n d pro
vide sport f o r ice fi s h e r m e n .

u
:.,4 ...

.......

W h e n t h e ice m e l ts i n s p r i n g , t h e
temperature o f w a t e r becomes
the some t h r o u g h o u t t h e l a ke
for o brief period . A l l t h e fis h
t h e n f e e d o t t h e s u rface or i n
t h e s h a l l ows w h e r e t h e water i s
richest i n oxyg e n a n d c o n ta i n s
o n a b u n d a n c e of food .

(t'

r:

...

.--

lacks sufficient
oxygen for fish

_.

t!tL
---.

1 31

warmed a n d h eavier. It sinks a n d is replaced by colder,

lig hter water from below. The lake i s said to "turn" a s the
water circu lates from top to bottom . For a brief time in
early spring all the water i n the lake is at a bout the same
te mperature, but because the wave-whi pped water at the
s u rface is richest in oxygen a n d food , a l l fish, i n c l u d i n g
the cold-water species such a s trout, feed at the s u rface.
S u m m e r bri n g s a bout sti l l a n other c h a n g e i n t h e lake.
Warmed by the s u n , the water at the s u rface rises a bove
39.2 deg rees F. a n d becomes lighter tha n the water be
neath . The mixing stops, a n d soon the lake is d ivided
i nto th ree tem perature layers. In the top layer, the water
is wa rm and has an adeq uate supply of oxygen c h ur n ed
in from the surface. A l most a l l of the fish i n the lake can
be fou n d i n this layer. I n the thin midd l e layer, the tem
peratu re d rops sharply. Fish can not live i n the bottom
layer, w h e re the water is very cold-close to 39.2 deg rees
F . throughout-a n d there is l ittle or no food or oxyge n . By
the end of sum mer, the top layer may h ave beco m e very
1 32

I n s u m m e r,. t h e s u rface
water w o r m s to w e l l
a bove 39.2 F . a n d floats
o n t h e heavier water be
low. Mixing ceases, a nd
l a k e stratifies into 3 lay
ers. F i s h o r e found i n
wo r m t o p Ioyer, w h i c h is
rich i n oxyg e n , and o few
in or near the middle
l a y e r , a z o n e of r a p i d l y
d e sc e n d i n g t e m p e r a t u r e .
T h e b o t t o m l a y e r is c o l d
a n d low i n oxyg e n .

t h i c k , f r o m 35 t o a s m uch a s 6 0 or 7 0 feet d e p e n d i n g o n
t h e locati o n a n d depth o f t h e lake.
W h i l e the la ke's water i s stratified i n t h e warm months,
fish seek the tem perature level at w h i c h they a re m ost
comforta ble. La rgemouth Bass, North ern Pi ke, a n d othe r
fi s h o f w a r m t o cool water a re fou n d close t o the s u rface
and in the s h a l lows. Trout a n d other cold-water fish stay
in deep water, usually c l ose to or in the m i d d l e layer. To
catch these fish in s u m m er, a fisherma n m ust d ro p h i s baits
or l u res deep. For either tro l l i n g or sti l l fi s h i n g at depths
of 50 or 60 feet, a wire line is needed (see tro l l i n g rigs, pp.
1 1 8- 1 1 9) . To determ i n e the proper depth to fi s h , a ther
m o m eter can be lowered i nto the water to fi n d the zone
where the temperature d rops sudden ly.
I n autu m n the la ke "tu rns" again a s the s u rface water
cools and sinks and the warmer water from the bottom
rises. As i n spri n g , the mixing of water resu lts i n a period
when the lake has a u n iform tem perature from top to
bottom , a n d cold-water species a g a i n feed at the s u rface.
1 33

P I E R S provide fishermen with a ccess to deep water a n d

a lso furnish cover f o r fish. A p i e r t h a t j uts o u t from a sa nd
beach may be the o n ly she lter i n m i les. Piers com m o n ly
shelter schools of bait fish that attract passi n g schools of
Bl uefish, Pollack, ma ckerels, a n d othe r g a m e fi s h . Mussels
o r barnacles encru sted on the p i l i n g entice such fish as
Sheepsh ead, Tautogs and porgies. In fresh water, piers
are fine for Yel low Perch, crappies, and other panfish .
The deep end of a pier is not a lways best, h owever, for
fish feed near shore at times, especi a l ly when brea king
waves keep food a ni m a l s sti rred up. Nig h t fishing is pop
u l a r, for g a m e fish come to feed on the bait fish a ttracted
to lights. Bottom fishing with natura l baits a nd casti ng
with a rtificials a re both good .
Fish too large to l ift on l i n e o r
leader can be l a n d e d b y d rop n et.

1 34

Among the giants ca u g h t from

piers and bridges i s the jewfi s h .

B R I DG E S spa n1 i n g fresh-water strea m s are especia l ly

good spots for pa nfish a n d catfi sh . Over sa lt water, they
a re favorite h a u nts of such shade- lovers a s Sheephead,
Ta utogs, and m a ny kinds of snappers a n d g r u nts. Blue
fish, mackere l s, wea kfish , croa kers, a n d other roa m e rs
pass u n de r bridges reg ularly as they fo l low t h e tide fl ow
to feed. O n moonlit nig hts such g a m e fish as Snook,
Ta rpon, and Striped Bass gather on the u ptide side of
the bridge to prey o n s h ri m p, m i n n ows, and other bait
a n i m a ls that cong regate j ust i n front of t h e bridge's
shadow. T h i s i s a prod uctive spot to fish with such a rtifi
cia l l u res a s buckta i l s and meta l jigs. In bottom fi s h i n g
with natura l baits, l e t t h e current ca rry t h e b a i t beneath
th e bridge if fi s h i n g for the shade lovers. O r let t h e bait
d rift out from the bridge if you a re after tide-fo l lowi n g
g a m e fi s h . C a useways t o bridges a re a lso considered
good fishing spots.
Live l i n i n g and bottom fi s h i n g o r e
b e s t o n t h e downtide sid e .

N i g h t costi n g is b e s t o n u ptide
side, where b a i t fish concent rate.

BAY S A N D LAGOO N S , con nected to the open sea by

i n lets or pa sses, a re idea l for the s m a l l-boat fisherma n .
H e c a n tro l l , d rift fish, or drop a nchor i n a productive spot
and either bottom fish o r cast.
Some kinds of fish ra nge i n and out of bays with the
tide; others spend their life i n th ese relative ly q uiet
waters. But most fi sh caught i n bays a re seaso n a l resi
dents. In wi nter they m i g rate to deeper, warmer offshore
waters or move southwa rd . Among the c o m m o n fish
ca ught i n the bays a n d lagoons of the Atlantic a nd G u lf
coa sts a re Striped Bass, Tautogs, B l u efi s h , Pompano,
Snook, Ta rpon, g roupers, wea kfi sh, croakers, a n d floun
ders. Pop u l a r bay fi sh of the Pa cifi c a re King S a l m o n ,
kelp basses, rockfishes, croakers, g roupers, a nd flatfi s h .
I n bays, as i n oth e r waters, fish concentrate w h e re they
fi n d food or cover. Bare bottom a reas a re poor p l a ces
to fi s h . O n an i n co m i n g tide, many fish gather j u st i n side
the i n lets, especi a l ly where a cu rrent form s a n eddy that
h o lds the food a n i mals. On the outgoing tide, the fish
m ove through the pass and feed outside at the edges of
ba rs and i n eddies. Flats a long shore and i n coves a re
best near h i g h tide, when fish range i nto t h e sha l lows to
A. I nco m i n g (flood ) tide : food a n i m a l s sti rred up; fish feed i n g .
B . S l a c k tide: n o c u rrent; food a n i m a l s not active.
C. Outgoing (ebb) tide: food a n i m a l s sti rred up; fish fee d i n g .

1 36

TROLL by r u n n i n g the boat

a g a i n st tide, tow i n g bait o r l u re
behin d . Speed of boat u s u a l ly
hooks fish w h e n it hits. When fish
a re l ocated, boat ca n be a n chored
fo r casti n g o r bottom fish i n g .

D R I FT w i t h the t i d e . Boat moves

slowly, so give fish l i n e a nd a l low
it to swa l l o w bait before setti n g
hook. I f casti n g, cast i n to o r
across tide a n d let current ca rry
bait or l u re.

feed . Steep shores a re m ost prod uctive on a h i g h , fa l l i n g

tide. C h a n n e l s a re usua l ly best a t l o w tide, w h e n fi s h
leave t h e flats. Oyster or m ussel beds, i n water from 3 to
1 2 feet deep, a re feed i n g g ro u n d s usua l ly good o n a ny
tide, a s a re the kelp beds a l o n g t h e West Coast. Grass
flats, where the water is from 4 to 6 feet deep, a lso at
tract many kinds of bay fi sh, a s do rocky bottom s . W h e re
fish lack cover a n d feed i n g g ro u nds, a rtifi c i a l reefs a re
created by s i n k i n g wrecked a utomobi les, concrete
weighted crates o r other objects. Th ese spots a re usu a l ly
m a rked with buoys to m a ke them easy to fi n d .

1 37

S U R F F I S H I N G is a l m ost a lways best i n early morning,

late even i n g , o r after dark. O n sa n d beach es, fish a re
ra rely a ctive d u ri n g the bright part of the day beca use
the beach offers virtua l ly no cover.
Stri ped Bass, C h a n n e l Bass, Bl uefish , Corbina, Pom
pano, s u rfperch es, croa kers, whitings, and weakfi s h es a re
common s u rf catches. Most of these fish like to lie just
beyo n d t h e ba rs or in the i n shore sloughs w h e re t h ey can
catch the food sti rred up by brea king waves. Bars lo
cated off the beaches cause swe lls to steepen sharp ly,
t h e n brea k . I n shore sloughs ca n be located by a flatten
i n g of the waves a n d by the slig htly da rker color of the
water. A natura l cut t h rough a bar lea d i n g i n to a slough
is a n o utsta n d i n g spot. Specia l tackle for surf fishing is
descri bed o n p p . 92-95.
I n sandy s u rfs, fi sh cong reg ate i n s l o u g h s a n d
a l o n g the d ropoff beyo n d the o u tside b a r .

1 38

, __

R O C KY S H O R E S A N D J ETT I E S may provide good

fis h i n g all day long, as the fish have enough cover i n
th e rocks nea rby to feel safe w h i l e feed i n g . From a jetty,
a fish e r m a n c a n e a s i l y fish b a rs a n d holes u n reac h a b l e
from s h o r e . U s i n g e i t h e r natural or a rtifi c i a l ba its, h e
c a n cast or botto m fi s h with a n y k i n d o f ta c k l e .

I n fresh water, jetties are good spots for La rgemouth

Bass, Sma l l mouth Bass. White Bass, Yellow Perch, catfish
a n d m a n y p a n fi s h . I n salt water, jetties a nd rocky shores
attract all of the com m o n surf fishes a s well a s Tautog,
Sheepshead, rockfish es, and others that seek cover reg
u la rly. J etties create stro n g eddies by diverti n g the tide's
fl ow, fo r m i n g deep holes and feed i n g spots for fi s h .
Many fi s h cong regate where jetties a re broken, a l lowi n g
t h e tide t o fl o w t h roug h .
J etties f u r n ish cover for fi s h a n d a l so
a lter c u rrents to ca u se eddies a n d t i d e rips.

1 39

Fish i n g from ste r n is best, b u t everybody is b u sy w h e n fi s h hit.

PARTY BOATS operate on reg u l a r sched u l e s ta king

fishermen to offshore fi s h i n g grounds. Beca use a nyone
w h o wa nts to fish can get aboard a s long a s space is
ava i l a b le, these boats a re ca l l ed Open Boats i n some
localities. O r because there is charg e per person o r head,
they may be referred to a s Head Boats. Depen d i n g on
t h e a rea, the length of the trip, and the type of fi s h i n g ,
party- bo a t fees range from $6 .00 t o $ 2 0 . 00, u s u ally
including bait. Some boat s s t a y out all d a y; others make
two trips . Some specialize in night fishing or in fish i n g
for only one species. In the upper G ulf region, many
of the pa rty boa t s fish only for R ed Sna ppers in ex
tremely deep water.

The typica l pa rty boat is fa irly large, with a broad

beam and a wide stern. A rai l runs co m p l etely a ro u n d
the g u nwa les. The best spot is at the ste r n . H e r e you a re
c loser to the water for easier fishing a n d a smoothe r ride,
and yo u h ave less chance of ta n g li n g lines with fel l ow fish
ermen. But to get the stern position, be at the dock w e l l
a h ead o f sai l i n g ti m e .
1 40

On a good d a y n e a r l y every fi s h e r m a n on a pa rty boat trip catches fi s h .

West Coast pa rty boats genera l ly use sa rd i n es o r a n

chovies f o r bait, carryi n g t h e m a live i n l a rg e ta nks. At
the fi s h i n g g ro u nds, scoops of these bait fish a re tossed
i nto the water for c h u m . As soo n a s fish begi n to stri ke,
the fishermen d rop their baited h ooks overboa rd, letti n g
t h e i r unweighted li nes r i d e the cu rrent with the c h u m .
Pacifi c Ye l l owta i l , A l bacore, Bluefin T u n a , a nd Pa cifi c
Barracuda a r e co m m o n ly ca ught from these pa rty boats.
In the Atlantic and G u lf of Mexico, pa rty boats usua l ly
fish the bottom , either by a n choring or by slow d rifti n g .
Principal baits a re c l a m s, menhaden, c u t m u l l et, a n d
ba l lyhoo. Cod, Pollack, Sea Bass, Si lver Hake, K i n g
Mackerel, B l a c k J ewfish , flounders, sna ppers, porgies,
g roupers, and grunts a re com mon catches.
O n some pa rty boats ta ckle i s fu rnished o r may be
rented, but it is best to bring your own . Heavy spi n n i n g
g e a r is a favorite a m o n g pa rty- boat fi s h e r m e n . long,
flexible boat rods equipped with sa lt-water ree ls are
used a lso. A l i n e of at least 30- pound test i s n eeded for
hauling t h e fish a board.
1 41

C h a rter boats special ize in big-game fishi ng in offshore waters.

C H A R T E R BOATS a re h i red by one or severa l fi sh er

men for a pa rtic u l a r kind of fis h i n g . The s m a l l e r of two

ge nera l types i s the guide boat, which may be a canoe,
a joh n boat for d rifti ng a river, or a sma l l , fast r u n a bout.
Seldom d o m o re than two people fish from a guide boat,
a n d the fis h i n g is usua l l y done with bait casti ng, fly ca st
i n g , or spi n n i n g ta c k l e . T h e operator of a g u i d e boat
serves a lso as a guide, and if you a re unfa m i l i a r with
the a rea and have l i m i ted time to learn the water, he is
T h e fl at-bottomed j o h n boat i s a good g u ide boat f o r river float fi s h i n g .

well worth h is price. The cost of c h a rteri n g a g u i d e boat

ra n g es fro m a m i n i m u m of $ 3 0 . 0 0 a day for trout fis h i ng
i n the North Cou ntry or for bass fi s h i n g i n the Ozarks to
as m u c h a s $ 1 5 0 . 0 0 a day for Bonefish or Tarpon i n
southern Florida or for salmon fi s h i n g i n t h e Northwest.
Guid e boats can a l so be h i red for Stri ped Bass, C h a n n e l
Bass, S n o o k , North ern P i k e , La rgemouth Bass, a n d others .
La rger c h a rter boats fo r offshore ocea n fish i n g rang e i n
l e ngth from 2 0 t o more t h a n 4 0 feet. Th ey a re e q u i p p ed
with outri g g ers for trol l i n g a n d with fis h i ng c h a i rs for
fig hting h eavy g a m e fis h . Most c h a rter boats carry a l l
the ta c k l e needed for b i g - g a m e fi s h i n g , a n d i t s u s e i s i n
c l u d ed i n t h e fee. C h a rter boat prices ra n g e fro m $ 7 5 to
$ 1 5 0 or more a d ay, d e p e n d i ng o n location and seaso n .
This cost c a n b e s h a red b y 4 t o 6 fi s h e r m e n . C h a rter
boats s p e c i a l i z e i n S a i lfish, Marli n , Swordfi s h , B l u efin
Tuna, Wa hoo, King Mac k erel, Do l p h i n , A m b erja c k s, Tar
pon, a n d oth e r b i g -g a m e species. T h e u s u a l methods a re
tro l l i n g or d rifti n g . A mate prepares th e baits, rigs t h e
l i n es, a n d gaffs the catc h ; the s k i p p e r r u n s the boat.
Outriggers are used for trol l i n g
baits o n o r n e a r t h e su rface be
h i n d t h e c h a rter boat. Made of
bam boo, fiber g l ass, o r a l u m i n u m,
a n d 20 to 40 feet l o n g , they a r e

h e l d at a 45deg ree a n g le fo r
fish i n g . T h e fis h i n g l i n e is at
tached to the outrigger by a s n a p
cl othespi n , w h i c h releases o n a
strike {p. 1 8 ) .

I n fi s h i n g
p osition

1 43

H O O K I N G A F I S H is basica l l y a m atter of jerki ng the

line at the rig ht i n stant to set the point of the hook i n the
fish's m o uth. In fishing with natu ra l ba its, it is g enera l ly
best to wait u nti l the fish runs with the bait before at
tem pti n g to set the hook. With soft baits, like d o ug h ba l ls
(p. 62) or c l a m s (p. 65), try to set the hook m ore q u i ck ly,
for th ese baits a re easi ly sto len. Proper tim i n g for setting
the hook comes o n ly with experience. With a rtificial
l u res, the hook should be set the i n sta nt a stri ke i s felt.
Fishermen ofte n try to set the hook too soon with a rtifi
cia ls beca use they see the fish or hear it splash before
it actu a l l y ta kes the l u re.
BEFORE

S ETT I N G

HOOK,

lower t h e r o d ( 1 ) to a l l ow m o r e
leve r a g e . I f usi n g l a rg e l ive
ba its, fi rst let fi s h take seve ral
feet of line f r o m t h e r e e l .
Strike fi r m ly, t h u m b i n g r e e l
spool o r h o l d i n g t h e h a n d l e as
t h e rod is s n a p pe d to a vertical
position ( 2 ) . You a re n o w ready
to p l a y the fi s h ( p .
1 45 ) .

1 44

PLAY I N G A F I S H

provides
much of t h e fun of fis h i n g ; it is
t h e tec h n i q u e of keeping a fis h
hooked a n d t i r i n g it o u t . The rod
does t h e m a i n job; it a bsorbs
sudden jolts and a p p l i e s rele nt
less pressure o n the fi s h . T h e rod
does its j o b best when it is kept
at a right a n g le to t h e fi sh's p u l l
( 1 ) . I f t h e fis h m a kes a fast or a
l o n g r u n , lower t h e rod t i p i m
med iately ( 2) to r e d u c e friction
of t h e l i n e o n g u ides. A l l ow a
r u n n i n g fi s h to stri p l i n e a l most
d i rectly from t h e reel, with l ittle
bend in the rod.

WHEN FISH STO PS,

p u m p it
back with t h e rod ( n ot by c r a n k
i n g t h e ree l ) . T h i s prevents break
i n g t h e line and possi b l e d a m
a g e to r e e l g e a rs if t h e fis h
m a k e s a s u d d e n strong l u n g e .
I n p u m pi n g , b r i n g t h e r o d u p
w ard (3) to p u l l fi sh toward y o u .
T h e n l o w e r t h e r o d r a p i d l y to
ward the fish (4) a n d a t the s a m e
t i m e reel i n t h e s l a c k l i n e . Be
ready to slop p u m pi n g t h e mo
ment t h e fi sh starts r u n n i n g o r
j u m pi n g a g a i n . P u m p i n g s h o u l d
be d o n e o n l y to work t h e fis h i n
d u r i n g l u l ls i n i t s fi g h t .

F I S H I S IN LAN D I N G POSI
T ION w h e n it is w i t h i n a rod's
l e n g t h o r s l i g h t l y more d ista n t .
( I f fis h is b r o u g h t c l oser, l a n d
i n g it is m a d e a w kwa r d , a n d
t h e r e is a c h a n c e o f b r e a k i n g t h e
rod . ) l e a n forw a rd a n d h o l d t h e
r o d b e h i n d you ( 5 ) as y o u g e t
ready to l a n d catch ( p . 1 46).

1 45

 After a fi sh h a s been fu l ly p layed-out, it can

be l a nded by hand, n et, or gaff-or sma l l fish may s i m p ly
be lifted i n with the line. Fish escape w h i l e being landed
usua l ly because a fisherma n becomes excited a n d tries
to h u rry.

LAN D I N G

1 46

N ET F I S H h e a d fi rst ( 1 ) . I n try
i n g to esca pe, fi s h w i l l d ive rig ht
into t h e net. With a s h a r p gaff,
fis h c a n be hooked a n ywhere i n
t h e body, b u t it is best to g a ff it
e i t h e r in t h e g i l l s (2) or u n d e r
t h e l ower jaw. F i s h g a ffed i n t h e
j a w w i l l l ive if release d . Played
o u t fi s h co n be l a n d ed from
b r i d g es with a d ro p net ( p . 1 34),
or with o "snatch hook," w h i c h
is i n effect a g a ff o n a h e avy
cord ( 3 ) . F resh-water bass or
other fi sh without I o r g e teeth c o n
be l a n d e d by t h r u sti n g t h u m b
i n t o fi sh's m o u t h a n d g r i p p i n g
t h e lower j a w (4) . T h i s st u n s fi s h
a n d s t o p s i t s str u g g l es. Pikes a n d
o t h e r fis h w i t h t e e t h c o n be
stu n n e d a n d l ifted from water by
g r i p p i n g with t h u m b and second
fi n g e r in eyesockets ( 5 ) .

CARE OF TH E CATC H

I d eal ly, fish s h o u l d

be

c l eaned and cooked i m m e d i ately after they are c a u g h t .

As t h i s i s rarely p ractical, they s h o u l d e i t h e r b e k e p t
alive, w h i c h i s m o s t d e s i rable, or b e k e pt c o o l a n d
m o i s t u n t i l they c a n be c l eaned .

K E E P F I S H A L I V E in water an
a s n a p-type str i n g e r, in a l ive
bog ( p . 1 1 1 ), or in a boot's l ive
well (p. 1 54 ) . If fish c a n not be
kept a l ive and seve ral h o u rs will
pass before they c a n be c l e a n e d ,
remove their g i l l s and entra i l s to
preve nt s p o i l a g e . A creel ( p .
1 1 1 ) l i n e d w i t h d a m p l e aves,
g rass, o r cloth will keep catch
cool and m o i st . I c e ch ests w i l l
k e e p t h e catch w h e n fi s h i n g from
a boat or the b a n k . Wet b u r l a p
b a g s a r e g o o d i n cool wea t h e r .
S u rf fi s h e r m e n s o m e t i m e s b u ry
t h e i r fi s h in d a m p s a n d . K i l l soon
after l a n d i n g .

If ready to be k i l l e d , a
s h a r p rap on the head with a
b i l l y (p. 1 1 1 ) k i l l s fish a n d , in
the case of l a rg e o n es, e l i m i nates
t h e d a n g e r of having them
th rash a b o u t i n t h e boat.

TO R E L E A S E

a n u nwa nted fis h

a l ive, h a n d l e i t g e n t l y a n d as
l ittle as poss i b l e . I f h o o k i s too
deep to b e r emoved w i t h o u t
d a m a g i n g fi s h , c u t it off between
eye and bend o r c u t t h e l e a d e r .
f i s h w i l l a bsorb t h e hook i n t i m e .
T o revive a p layed-out fi s h , h o l d
it h e a d f o r w a r d i n c u r r e n t o r
move it t h ro u g h water.

cu rrent

S u rf fisherman may b u ry
catch in the sa n d .

1 47

CLEANING FISH Fish a re easier to scale or to s k i n if

worked o n w h i l e fresh. A bench o r a ta ble, r u n n i n g
water, a n d a s h a r p kn ife h e l p make the job easier. The
m ost i m po rta nt tool is the fi l leti ng knife, made of good
steel and with a long, thin blade. A sca ler i s i n expensive,
and a brush can be used to scru b out clotted b lood from
a long backbo n e i nside the body cavity. The method of
clea n i n g varies with the kind of fish a n d how it i s to be
cooked . Consult a good cook book on h ow to cook fi s h .
S C A L E F I S H , u n less i t is to b e

fi l l eted a n d ski n n ed ( p . 1 49) .

H o l d fis h by the t a i l a n d t h e n
scrape f r o m t a i l t o h e a d t o
loosen a n d remove s c a l e s . U se
a fish sca l e r or a d u l l k n ife. C u t
off h e a d b e h i n d pecto r a l fi n s .

R E M OV E F I N S of p a nfi s h by
cutti n g into flesh o n both sides
of e a c h fi n (1 . Pull out fi n s,
bones a n d a l l . ( N ever _E i i p fi ns,
as t h i s leaves sma l l , s h a r p
b o n e s . A l s o m a y c u t off t a il (2) .

1 48

F I L L ETI N G is easiest to do with

fi s h over a foot l o n g . Fi rst c u t off
h e a d c l ose b e h i n d pector a l fi n s
( 1 ) , a n d t h e n s l it t h e b e l l y t o t h e
v e n t ( 2 ) . Remove entra i l s a n d
w a s h o u t t h e a b d o m i n a l cavity,
u s i n g b r u s h if necessary ( 3 ) .
Some prefer to fi l l e t fi s h w i t h o u t
s t e p s 1 , 2, a n d 3 . Sta rt k n ife
a l o n g si d e b a c k b o n e a n d h o l d it
flat a s fi l l e t is cut off (4) . T u r n
fi s h over a n d c u t fi l l et from oth e r
s i d e . F i n s stay o n b a c k b o n e ( 5 ) ,
leaving t w o b o n e l ess fi l l ets.
TO S K I N ,

lay fi l let skin s i d e

d o w n o n fl a t s u rface ( 6 ) , a n d
s t a r t fi l l et k n ife u n d e r s k i n a t
t a i l e n d . H o l d s k i n w i t h fi n g e r s
a s it is c u t from fi l let. To re m ove
few rema i n i n g bon es, cut off rib
c age a s shown b y d otted l i n e (7).

1 49

TO S K I N CAT F I S H ,

d i p fi s h i n
hot w a t e r f o r a few seco n d s t o
l oosen t h e s k i n . C u t t h r o u g h t h e
s k i n a l l the way a r o u n d h e a d
( 1 ) . P u l l s k i n b a c k with pliers (2
a n d 3 ) . H e a d c a n b e n a i led to a
boa rd or h e l d with a n other p a i r

o f p l iers a s t h e s k in i s p u l l e d off.
Cut t h r o u g h t h e b a c k b o n e be
hind t h e dorsal fi n o n a n a n g l e
toward t h e h e a d (4) . B r e a k t he
head d ownwa rd from t h e body,
thus removing h e a d and e ntra i l s
a t t h e sa m e t i m e ( 5 ) .

as t h ick a s d esired,
can be c u t from l a rg e fi s h s u c h
as K i n g M a c k e r e l . S l ice between
t h e verte brae.

1 50

T R O P H Y F I S H a re extra large, u n us u a l , or otherwise

noteworthy catches made i n to d u ra b le, life l i k e m o u nts

by a taxidermist. Keep the fish cool and moist u n t i l it ca n
be ta ken to a taxidermist. If the fish is too large to fit i nto
an ice chest, wrap it i n wet cloths; d o n ot g ut it. Before
it is put away, measure its length i n a stra i g h t l i n e from
the tip of its jaw to the tip of its tai l . Do not let the ta pe
fo l low the conto u r of the fish. Measure its g i rth i n t h e
thickest p a rt of i t s body.

RECORDS If you thi n k you may h a ve c a u g ht a record

fi s h , m e a s u re it a s shown a bove and a l so h ave it weig h e d
o n govern m e n t i n s pected sca l e s - d o b o t h i n t h e p r e s
e n c e of t w o witnesses. P h otog r a p h y o u r fi s h w h e n ever
p o s s i b l e . For a fresh -water fi s h reg i stratio n for m , write to
Field & Stream ( 3 8 3 Mad i son Ave n u e , N .Y., N . Y. 1 00 1 7) ,
where over-a l l record s fo r fre s h -water fi s h a r e k ept. F o r
sa lt-water fi s h , write t o I nternati o n a l G a m e F i s h Associa
tion ( 3 000 E. las O l a s Blvd . , Ft. la u d e r d a l e, F l 3 3 3 1 6 )
to get e ntry fo r m , ta c k l e ru l e s, a n d a l i s t of the current
record s . You r fi s h m a y be a record for t h e line test you
used eve n if it i s not a n a l l-ta c k l e record . T h e I nter
nati o n a l S p i n F i s h i n g Association ( P . O . Box 8 1 , Downey,
C A 9 0 2 4 0 ) c o m p i l e s record s for fi s h ca u g h t on s p i n n i n g
tac k l e i n b o t h fre s h a n d s a l t wate r . H e r e , too, y o u r fish
may q u a l ify for a record for a pa rti c u l a r l i n e test.

151

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NAV IGAT I O N C H A RT S a re considered basic equip
ment by sa lt-water fishermen. The best a re the Coast,
Ha rbor, a n d Sma l l Craft charts, which show water d epths
at mean low tide, average tide ra nge, contours of a l l
shore lines, type o f bottom, a nd locations o f chan n els,
bars, and tide rips. With these ch arts, a fi sherman ca n
fi n d exactly the type bottom a nd water depth p referred
by the fish h e is after. Depending on the type of c h a rt,
its size, and the a rea covered, the cost ra nges from 25
cents to $2.00. C h a rts ca n be purchased at book stores
a n d marinas o r directly from the U . S . Coast a nd Geo
detic Survey, Washington 25, D.C. For fresh water, topo
gra p h i c m aps, availa ble from the Geolog i ca l Survey,
Washingto n , D.C., may be helpfu l in fi nd i n g feeder
streams, springs, and fishable shore lines of lakes. Loca l ly
prepa red maps distributed at fishing ca mps or by cham
bers of commerce i n m ost popular fishing a reas are a lso
helpful in learning new waters.

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...

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ke'-. 1 3' 2
s11oa ....! ii.:oG
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6
I I C K E R KEY .
. l fift" ' .... .
1
R U BICON KEY
. 7
7
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5
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2 \ ., .

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gy M

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G O O D F I S H I N G today and for the future is the goa l

of fish ma nagement prog rams. Fishermen should lea r n
w h a t i s bei n g d o n e to m a ke better fi s h i n g i n t h e i r area s .
The p rog ra m s, b y state a n d nation a l government a g e n
cies, a re paid f o r w i t h the money fi s h e r m e n p a y f o r fi s h
ing licenses a n d a lso w i t h the federa l t a x m o n ey collected
on the sa l e of fishing ta ckle. Most of the money is used
to buy p u b l i c rig h ts-of-way to existi ng waters, to b u i l d
new la kes, a n d f o r resea rch p rograms t o learn m o r e
a b o u t fi s h . Much m o r e resea rch n eeds t o be done, pa r
ticularly on sa lt-water fishes.
It i s most i m porta nt that fish be provid ed with suita b l e
places t o l i v e . Poor fa r m i n g practi ces t h a t si lt o u r strea m s
a n d la kes; p o l l ution from i n d u stries, cities, a n d i n secti
cides; and the destruction of natura l watersheds-these
a re the g reatest enemies of good fishing today.
As more i s learned a bout fish th ro u g h resea rch, t h e
fishing becomes better. Most states, f o r exa m p le, n o w
a l low yea r-round fishing i n fresh waters, a n d i n m a n y
states there a re no size or b a g l i m its o n fi s h . Biologists
learned that it i s vi rtua l ly im possi ble to overfish hea lthy
bodies of water. After the surplus fish a re ca u g h t, there
is so little competition for natura l foods that it becomes
difficult to catch the remai n i n g fish o n baits o r l u res
though fi s h i n g for them conti n ues to be good sport.

TAGG I N G F I S H h e l ps b i o l o g i sts leorn how r a p i d l y fish g row, how

f a r a n d how fast they trave l , and othe r facts. Ret u r n t a g s to a d d ress
g ive n and d escribe where a n d
w h e n catch w a s m a d e .

1 53

CANOES a re l i g h tweight, po rt
a b l e boots, averag i n g 1 6 to 1 8
ft. l o n g . Desig ned to b e used
with a pa d d l e b u t m a y be d riven
with outboa rd . Ca nvas ove r
wood, fi b e r g lass, or a l u m i n u m .

P U N T o r J O H N BOAT, with
s q u a re, u pswept bow, is sta b l e
a n d d raws l ittl e w a t e r . T o 2 4 ft.
long, of wood p l a n ki n g or a l u m
i n u m . A n ideal boat f o r fl oat fish
ing on rivers.

BOATS F O R F I S H I N G a re selected for use rather than

looks. Though a l m ost a n y kind of boat ca n be used, a
good fi s h i n g boat shou ld have plenty of open space for
casti ng and for playing fish. No si n g l e type of boat is
best for a l l kinds of fishing. Some waters a re fished best
from a boat propel led by oa rs, paddle, o r push-pole.
larger waters may req u i re use of a motor to save travel
i n g time or to cover more water, a s i n tro l l i n g . I n some
states, boats m ust be registered and licensed i n the sa me
m a n n e r a s a utomobiles. Your boat or outboard dea ler
can g ive you specific i nformation. Ma ny fishing boats
skiffs, uti lity boats, a n d even cruisers-have live wells
built i nto the h u l l . Porta ble u nits a re a lso ava i la ble. Holes
i n the bottom of a live well a l low water to circulate a n d
k e e p it fres h . Used m a i n ly t o store l i v e bait b u t a lso to
keep catch a live.

ACCESSO R I E S

help
m a ke
boat safer, more comforta b l e .
Coast G u a r d reg u l at i o n s r e q u i r e
l ife
prese rvers
or
a p p roved
c u s h i o n s . F o l d i n g seats, w h i c h

m a y swivel 360 , a r e re stf u l a n d

excel l e n t f o r trol l i n g .

1 54

S K I FF

h a s fl a t bottom, h i g h bow.
A sta b l e boat, 10 to 1 6 ft. l o n g ,
d e s i g n e d to be rowed b u t m a y
b e used w i t h s m a l l outboard
motor. O f wood p l a n k i n g , ply
wood, o r a l u m i n u m .

UTI LITY BOATS,

CRU I S E RS,

u riously f u r n i s h e d . S o m e h a ve
kitc h e ns, sitt i n g rooms, a n d even
a i r c o n d itio n i n g . T h e best type
for fis h i n g h a s a s m a l l cabin a n d
a l a rg e , o p e n cockpit for p l e n ty
of fig h t i n g room. C r u isers a re
m a d e of wood, fi b e r g la ss, steel,
or aluminum.

powered by i n
b e a r d o r o u t b o a rd motors, a re
l o r q e r boats for offshore fi s h i n g
o r for "ca m pi n g out" o n t h e
w a t e r . M a n y h a v e twin e n g i n es
for g reate r speed a n d safety.
R a n g i n g i n l e n g t h from 1 8 to
over 40 feet, they m a y be I ux-

u p to 1 8 ft.
l o n g , a re w i d e , with r o u n d e d or
-s ha ped botto m . P r o p e l l e d by
outboards, they are best a l l
p u r pose fi s h i n g boats. O f wood,
fiber g l ass, o r meta l .

A N C H O RS

used by fi s h e r m e n
a r e : { 1 ) M u s h room, n a m e d fo r
s h a pe, h o l d s w e l l in soft m u d
bottom . ( 2 ) Navy, good a l l
around
anchor with
h i n g ed
fl u kes. (3) D a nforth, with l a r g e
h i n g e d fl u kes, h o l d s fast b u t is
e a sy to d is l o d g e .

1 55

OTH E R S O U R C E S OF I N FORMAT I O N

BOOKS may assist i n identifying fishes a n d give deta i l s

about pa rtic u l a r k i n d s o f fis h i n g . Those listed below are
on ly a few from among the best.
Bates, Joseph D . , J r. , F I SH I NG, E. P. Dutton & Ca. , I nc . , New Yor k , 1 973.
A com p r e h e n s i v e e n cycloped ia of over 700 pages far the serious
a n g l er.
Breder, C h a r l e s M., J r. , F I E LD BOOK O F MARI N E F I S H ES O F T H E
ATLANT I C COAST, G. P. Putnam , N e w Yor k, 1 94 8 . Excel l e n t g u i de
to At l a n t i c species.
Brook s , Joe, TRO U T F I S H I N G, Harper & Row, N e w Yor k, 1 972. Covers
every pai n t of trout f i s h i n g . Over 1 24 f u l l -color photog ra p h s .
F l i c k , A rt, A RT F L I CK'S STREAMS I D E G U I DE, Crow n , New Yor k , 1 970.
An a c k nowledged practical classic.
F ra n c i s, Ph i l , SA LT-WATER F I S H I N G FROM MAI N TO TEXAS, Mac
m i l l a n , 1 963. E x p e rt advice on how a n d w h ere to catch t h e m .
McC l a n e , A. J . (ed .), McC LANE'S STANDARD F I S H I N G E NCYCLO
P E D I A, Halt, R i n e ha rt, & W i n ston , I nc., N e w Yor k , 1 965. A com
pre h e n s ive g u i d e to f i s h i ng , i n ternational i n scope.
M i g da l s k i , Edward C . , A N G L ER'S G U I D E TO S A LT WAT E R GAME
F I S H ES ( 1 958) and A N GLER'S G U I D E TO FRESH WATE R S PO RT
F I S H ES ( 1 962), Rona l d Press, New Yor k . Com pre h e n s i ve covera g e of
fish a n d f i s h i ng .
Z i m a n d S h o e m a ker, F I S H ES , Gol d e n Press, New Yor k , 1 956. An i l l us
trated g u i d e to fa m i l ia r fresh a n d salt water species.

MAGAZ I N ES with reg ular i nformation o n sport fi s h i n g

i n c l u d e Outdoor Life, Field a n d Stream, Sports A field,
a n d The Salt Water Sportsma n .
CATALOGS of many sporti n g goods compa n i es d escribe
latest tac k l e a n d eq u i p m e nt, a n d m a n y conta i n h e l pful
h i nts a n d tips. N a m es and a d d resses of th e com p a n ies
can b e fou n d i n t h e a d s i n outdoor m a g a z i n es .
CONSERVATION D E PARTMENT p u b l i cation s g i v e i nfor
mation a bout fi s h i n g reg u latio ns a n d about places to
fi s h . Add ress q uestions to Co nservati o n Dept. (or Fish
a n d G a m e Dept.) a t your state capito l .
1 56

I N DEX
Aste r i s k s ( * ) denote p a g e s on w h i c h i l l u s t r a t i o n s a p p e a r .

Aberdeen hook , * 1 02
Accesso r i e s , boat, * 1 54
Accessory tack l e, * 1 06 1 13
Afr i c a n Pom p a n o , 22,
*2 3
Albacore, 1 6, * 1 7
Amberjacks, 20, * 2 1
American S h a d , 1 2 , * 1 3
Anchors, * 1 55
Anchovies, *63, * 7 1
A r c t i c G ra y l i n g s , 54,
*55
Arti f i c i a l l u res, * 66-73
AtL B o n i to, * 1 7
AtL C ro a ker s , 3 2 , *33
AtL Mackere l , *7, 1 4,
*15
AtL S a i l f i s h , 1 8, * 1 9
AtL S o l m a n , 46, * 47
B o i t box, * 1 1 0
b u cket, 58, * 1 1 0
B a i t casti ng , 74, * 88-90
how to, *90
leaders, *99
l i nes, 77, * 8 9
ree l s , *75 , * 8 8
rods, *76 , * 8 9
Ba l l y ho o , *6 3
i m i ta t i o n , 7 1
B a r J ac ks, 20
Barometer, 1 2 1
Barracudas, 40, * 4 1
B a r r e d Surfperch,. 3 6 ,
*3 7
Bass, * 1 0, 26, *27, 32,
*33, 34, * 3 5, 50,
* 5 1 , 52, *53
Bay ree l , *96
Says, * 1 36 - 1 3 7
Berm u d a C h u b s , 3 0 , *3 1
B i g - g a m e tack l e , 74,
*75, * 96-97, *99
Silly (club), * 1 1 1
B l a c k C ra p p i e , *50
S l a ck Drum, *9, 34, *35

B l a ck f i n T u n a , 1 6, * 1 7
S l a c k Grou per, *7, 24,

C a noes, * 1 54
C a r l i sle, * 1 03

*25
B l a c k J e w f i s h , 26, *27

C a r p , *7, 56, *57

C a s t i n g , *82, *86-87,
*90, *9 1 ' * 94-95
float s, *1 08
l i nes, 89
rods, *89
s i n kers, * 1 07
Cata l p a Worm, * 6 1
C a t f i s h , 5 6 , * 57, * 1 50
C e r o Mackerel , 1 4, * 1 5
C h a i n P i c k e r e l , 54, *55
C h a n n e l B a s s , 34, *35
C h a n n e l C a tfi s h , 56, *57
C h a rter boats, * 1 42 - 1 43
C h u bs , * 59
C h u m, *62, *63
C h u m S a l mo n , 46, *47
C h u mm i n g , * 1 22

Black Margate, 28, *29

B l ack n o s e Dace, *59
B l o ck t i n squid, *70
B l ood dropper loop ,
*115
B l ood k n ot, * 1 1 4
B l oodworm, *65
B l u e C a t f i s h , 56, * 57
S l u e f i n T u n a , 1 6, * 1 7
B l u ef i s h , 22, *23
B l u eg i l l , *7, * 1 0, 50, *51
B l u e Ma r l i n , 18, * 1 9
B l u e R u n n e r , 20, * 2 1
B l uestripe G r u n t , 28,
*29
Boat rod, *9 7
Boa ts, * 1 54 - 1 55
Bobbers, * 1 08, * 1 1 7
Bocaccio, 36, *37
B o n e f i s h , 1 2, * 1 3
Bon itos, 1 6, * 1 7
Boots, * 1 1 3
Bottom b o u n c i n g , * 1 23
Bottom f i s h i n g , * 1 22 1 23
l ea de r s, *99
rigs, * 1 1 6
s i n k e rs, * 1 06
Bowfin, * 56
B o w s a n d a rrows, * 1 04
Bridges, * 1 3 5
B rook Trout, 48, *49
Brown B u l l head, 56, *57
Brown Tro u t, * 1 0, 48,
*49
B u c k ta i l , *70
B u l l heads, 56, *57
C a d d i sworm, * 6 1
C a l i f . H a l i b u t , 38, *39
C a l i f . Sheephead, 36,
*37
C a n e p o l e s , 78, *7 9

C l a m s, *65
C l a mworm, *65
C l e a n i n g fish, * 1 48 - 1 50
C l i ppers, * 1 1 2
C lothing, * 1 1 3
C o b i a , 40, * 4 1
C o c k roach , * 6 1
C o d , 38, * 3 9
C o h o S a l m o n , 4 6 , *47
C o m b i n a t i o n rigs, * 1 1 9
Com mon S h i n e r , * 59
Com mon Sucker, 56, * 57
C o m p ressed g a s g u n ,
1 04
C o n c h , 65
C o n serva t i o n , 1 53
C o r b i n a s , 34, * 3 5
C ra b s, *64
C r a p p i e s , * 50
C r a y f i s h , *60
Cr eek Chubs, 54, * 55,
*59
Creel, * 1 1 1
C reva l l e J a c k , 20, * 2 1
C r i cket, * 6 1
C r o a k e r s , * 1 1 , 32, * 3 3
C r u isers, * 1 55

1 57

...

C u n ners, 36, *37

Frog, i m i ta t i o n s , *7 1

C utthroat Trout, *7, 48,

*49

Frogs and S a l a m a n ders,

Da ce, *59
D i sgorger, * 1 1 2
Dogf i s h , 44, *45

Gaffs, * 1 1 1
Gafftopsa i l Catfish, 40,
*41
Gag Groupers, 24, * 2 5
G a r s , 56
G i a n t Pompano, 22
G i a n t Sea B a s s, 26, *27
Gi g s , * 1 04
Gimbal, 97
Golden S h i n er, *59
Golden Trout, 48, *49
Grasshopper, * 6 1
Grass Porg ies, 30, * 3 1
Great Barracudas, 40,
*41
G r e e n J a cks, 20, * 2 1
Groupers, 24, *25
Grubs, 6 1
Gru nts, 28, *29
G u i d e boat, * 1 42

D o l l y V a rden Trout, 48,

*49
D o l p h i n , 40, *41
D o u b l e hooks, * 1 02
Double-jig rig, * 1 1 8
D o u b l e s u rg e o n ' s k n ot,
*114
Dough ba l l s, *62
;;; Dro i l s, 70
:: Drift f i s h i n g , * 1 2 2, * 1 37
t; Dropper f l y r i g s , * 1 1 9
D r y f l i e s , * 73
box, * 1 1 0

u
oil, * 1 1 2

.,

.....

..,

..,

z
C Eag le c l a w h o o k , 1 0 2
Ee s, . .
m foton, 7 1
tEel bob,

S
;

3
i

*63

F a l l f i s h , 54, *55
! F i l l e t i n g fish, * 1 49
- Fishes, *6 - 1 1
fresh and s a l t, *46-47
fresh water, *48-59
s a l t water, * 1 2 - 45
"
! Fishfinder rig, * 1 1 6
F i s h i n g ch a i r, 1 43 , * 1 54
::( F i s h i n g Methods, * 1 22
F i s h i n g stick, * 1 05
F l a tf i s h es, 38, *39
F l a thead Catfish, *7,
56, * 57
F l ies, * 66, *72 -73 , * 1 1 9
Floats, * 1 08
F l o u nder, *7, 38 , *39
F l y book, *98, * 1 1 0
F l y f i s h i n g , 74, *84-87
casti n g , *86-87
leaders, *98
line dressing, * 1 1 2
l i n e s , *84
ree l s , *75, * 85
rod s , *76 , *85
French G r u n t, 28, *29

1 58

*61

Haddock, 38 , *39
Hammerhead Sharks ,
44, *45
H a l i b u t, 38, *39
H a n d l i nes, 78, *79
H e l l g ra m m i te, * 6 1
imitation, * 7 1
H e r r i n g , *63
H i ckory Shad, 1 2 , * 1 3
Hone, * 1 1 2
H o o k i n g f i s h , * 1 44-1 45
Hooks, * 1 00 - 1 03
sett i n g , * 1 44
s i zes, * 1 0 1
Horse-eye J a ck s , 20
H o u n d f i s h , 42 , *43
H u mpback S a l m o n, 46,
*47
H u m p s h a n k hook, * 1 03
I ce c h i s e l , * 1 05
I c e fi s h ing, * 1 05
I m itation baits, *71
I mproved c l i n c h knot,
*114
I n sect repe l l ents, * 1 1 3
I n sects, * 6 1

J a m knot, * 1 1 5
" J a p a n ese" fea thers, 70
J e tties, * 1 39
J e wfi s h , 26, *27
J i gging, * 1 23
J i g s, *70
J o h n bo a t, * 1 42, * 1 54
J o l th e a d Porg ies, 30, * 3 1
J u g fish i n g , * 1 04
Keel rig, * 1 1 8
K e l p B a ss, 26, *27
K i l l i f i s h , 63
K i n g Mackere l, 1 4, * 1 5
K i n g S a l m o n , 46, *47
K i r b y h o o k , * 1 02
K n ife, * 1 1 2
Knots, * 1 1 4 - 1 1 5
ladyfish, 1 2, * 1 3
lagoons, * 1 36 - 1 3 7
l a k e Trout, 4 8 , *49
lakes, * 1 2 8 - 1 33
L a n d i n g f i s h , * 1 46
l a n d i n g n ets, * 1 1 1
l a n d l o cked S a l mo n , 46,
*47
lane S n a p pers, 2 8 , * 29
largemouth B a s s , * 1 0,
50, * 5 1
l a r k ' s h e a d k n ot, * 1 1 4
Leaders, *98 -99
Leeches, *60
level w i n d , * 75, *88, 92
L i merick h o o k , * 1 03
l i n es, 76-77, 8 1 , *84,
* 89, *93, 97
l i n gcod , 40, * 4 1
l i t t l e Skate, *45
l i t t l e T u n a , 1 6, * 1 7
l i v e bag, * 1 1 1
L i v e - l i n e r i g s , '* 1 1 7
Live l i n i n g , '* 1 22
live w e l l s , 1 54
L o n g e a r S u n f i s h , 50, * 5 1
lookdowns, 22, *23
Lures, * 66-73
Mackerel , 1 4, * 1 5
Mako S h a r k s , 44, *45
M a n g rove S n a p p e r s ,
28, *29

Margate Gr u n t , 28, *29

Ma r l i n s, 1 8 , * 1 9
"Matc h i n g t h e hatch , "
72
Mealworms, 6 1
M e n h a d e n , *62
Meta l Squids, *70
Minnow b u cket, 58,
*110
M i n nows, * 58 -59
i m i ta t i o n , * 7 1
Monofi l a me n t l i n e , 77
leader, 99
Mooc h i n g , * 1 23
M u d m i n n o w s , * 59
M u l let, *63
i m ita tio n, 7 1
Muske l l u n g e s , 54, *55
Mutto n f i s h , 28, *29
N a s s a u Groupers, 24,
*25
N a t u r a l b a i ts , * 58 - 65
N a v i g a t i o n c h a rts, * 1 52
Needlefish, 42, *43
N ets, * 1 1 1
Netting f i s h , * 1 46
N i g h t c r a w l e r s , *60
Northern P i k e , 54, *55
Northern Porgies, 30,
*31
N o rthern P u ffers, 42,
*43
N orthern W h i t i n g s, 34,
*35
N y m p h s , *72
Ocea n i c B o n i t o s, 1 6
O l i ve Rockf i s h , 36, * 3 7
O ' s h a u g h nessy hook.,
* 1 03
Outriggers, * 1 43
Oysters, 65

Permit, 22, *23

Pickere l , 54, *55

S a l mon , 46, *47

S a l m o n egg hook, * 1 03

Piers, * 1 34
P i g f i s h , 28, *29, 63

S a l m o n eggs, * 6 1
S a l t - water t ackl e, 74,

P i n f i s h , 30, *3 1 , 63
P l a sti c b u b b l e , * 1 08
P l a y i n g fish , * 1 45
P l iers, * 1 1 2
Plug rig, * 1 1 9
P l ugs, *66, *69
P o l a r o i d g l a sses, * 1 1 3
P o l l a c k , 38, *39
Pompano, *7, 22, *23
Ponds, * 1 28 - 1 29
Popper f l i es, *73
Popping cork, * 1 08 ,

*75, *96 -97

S a n d B a ss, 26, *27
S a n d B u g s , *64
S a n d Launces, 63
S a n d S h a r k , 44, *45
Sand sp ike, *93
S a u g e r , 52, * 53
Scaler, * 1 1 2
Sca l i n g f i s h , * 1 48

*118
Porcu p i n e F i s h , 42, *43
Porgies, 30, "'3 1
Porkf i s h , 28
Pork rind, *62, * 1 1 9
P u ffers, 42, * 43
P u m p k i n seeds, 50, * 5 1
P u n t , * 1 54
R a i n bow Trout, 48, *49
Record f i s h , 1 5 1
Redbel l y Da ce, * 59
Redbrea st Sunfish, 50,
*51
Redear S u n f i s h , 50
Red Groupers, 24, *25
Red S n a p pers, 28 , *29
Reels, *75, *79, *80,
* 8 5, * 88, *92, *96
g rease, * 1 1 2
oil, * 1 1 2
R e l e a s ing f i s h , * 1 47
Rigs, * 1 1 6 - 1 1 9
R i v e r C h u b s , * 59
Rock B a s s, 50, * 5 1
Rockf i s h , 26, *27, 36, * 37
Rod b e l t, *93
h o l d e r, * 1 1 2

Pacif. B a r r a c u d a s , 40,
*41
Pacif. Mackerel, 1 4, * 1 5
Pacif. S a i l f i s h , 1 8 , * 1 9
Pacif. Y e l l owta i l s , 20,

R o d s , * 7 6 , *7B -79, * 8 1 ,
* 85, *89, *92 -93,
*97
R o u g h f i s h , *56

*21
Party Boats, * 1 40 - 1 4 1
Pawl, *75
Perfection l o o p , * 1 1 5

Safety s n a p s , * 1 09
Sa i l fi s h es , 1 1 , 1 B , * 1 9
Sa l a m and er, * 6 1

S c h o o l master Snap p er,

28, *29
School tuna, 1 6
Scorp ionfishes, 36
Sea B a s s , 26, *27
Sea C a t f i s h , 40, * 4 1
Sea perches, 36, *37
Setti n g hook, * 1 44
Shad, 1 2, * 1 3
S h a r k s , 44, *45
S h e e - f i s h , 54, *55
Sheepshead, 30, * 3 1 , 3 6
S h eepshead hook, * 1 03
Sheepshead r i g , * 1 1 6
S h e l l f i s h , *65
S h i n ers, *59
S h r i m p , *64
S i e r ra Mackere l , 1 4, * 1 5
S i l kworm g u t , 98
Si l v e r H a kes, 38, *39
S i lver Perch, 34, *35
S i l versid es, * 63
S i l ve r W h i t i n g s , 3 4
S i nkers, * 1 06- 1 07
S k a tes, 44, *45
S k i ff, * 1 55
S k i m m er, * 1 05
S k i n n i n g f i s h , 1 49, * 1 50
S k i p j a c k T u n a , 1 6, * 1 7
Sma l l mouth Bass, 50,
*51
Smooth D o g f i s h , 44, *45
S n a ppers, 28, *29
S n a p s , * 1 09, * 1 1 6, * 1 1 8
Sneck hook, * 1 02
S n o o k , 3 0 , *3 1
Sockeye S a l m o n , 46, *47
Sout hern Searob i n s ,
4 2 , *43

1 59

"'

Southern Sting Ray, 44,

*45
Spadef i s h, 42, *43
Sp. Mackerel, 1 4, * 1 5

Spear f i s h i n g , * 1 04
S p i n c a s t i n g , 74, *88
how to, * 9 1
l i ne, '* 89
reel, *75, * 8 8
rod, *89
S p i n n e r f l i es, * 7 3

...

Sp i n ners, * 6 6 , * 6 8
S p i n n i n g , 7 4 , 80

how to, *82 -83, *9495

leaders, *99
l i nes, 8 1 , 93
ree l s , *75, *80, *92
rods, *76, * 8 1 , *93

! Splasher-jig rigs, * 1 1 8
,., z Spoons, *66, *67
Sport fish, * 1 0 - 1 1
o Sport f i s h i n g , *4-5
Spotf i n C roakers, 32,

*33
Spots, 34, *35

.= Spo tted
!:: Spotted
:l Spotted
Spo tted

:C
;

1 60

Bass, 50, * 5 1
J ewfi sh, 26, *27
S u n f i s h , 50, * 5 1
W e a k f i s h , 32,

*33
Spreader rigs, * 1 1 7
Sproat hook, * 1 02
Spud, * 1 05
Squawfish, 54, *55
S q u idd i n g l i n e , 77
Squids, *65
imitation, * 7 1
meta l , *70
Star drag, *75, 88, *92,
*96
Starry F l o u n d e rs, 3 8 ,
*39
Steaks, * 1 50
Sti l l f i s h i n g , * 1 22
Sting Rays, 44, *45
Stink baits, * 62
Streamer flies, *72
Strea m s , * 1 24 - 1 2 7
Stringers, * 1 1 1 , * 1 47
Stri ped B a ss, * 1 1 , 26,
*27

Stri ped M a r l i n , 1 8 , * 1 9
Sturgeons, 56
Suckers, 56, *57
Summer F l o u nders, 38,
*39
Sunfish, 50, * 5 1
Suntan lotions, * 1 1 3
Surface bugs, *73
Surf costinQ, 74, *92
how to, *94-95
l i n es, *93
ree l s , *92
rods, *93
Surf f i s h i n g , * 1 3 8, * 1 39.
Surfperches, 36, *37
S u rf rigs, * 1 1 7
Surf s p i n n i n g , *92-95
h o w to, *94-95
l i n es, 93
reels, *92
rods, *93
Swivels, * 1 09, * 1 1 6,
* 1 1 7, * 1 1 8
Swo rdfish, 1 8 , * 1 9
Tack l e, *74- 1 1 9
Tack l e boxes, * i 1 0
Tadpole, * 6 1
Tag g i n g f i s h , * 1 53
Tape red leader, *98
Tarpon, * 1 1 , 1 2, * 1 3
Toutogs, 36, *37
Term i n a l rigs, * 1 1 6- 1 1 9
Thermometer, 1 2 1
Tides, 1 2 1 , * 1 36 - 1 37
Tiger Sharks, 44, * 45
Ti ppet, *98
T i p - u ps, * 1 05
Toadfish, 4 2 , *43
Tomcods, 38, *39
Too ls, * 1 1 2
Treb l e h o o k s, * 1 02
Triangle rig, * 1 1 8
Triggerfish, 42, *43
Tripleta i l s , 30, *31
Tro l l i n g , * 1 23, * 1 37
rigs, * 1 1 8
rod, 97
s i n kers, * 1 07
squids, *70
Trophy f i s h , 1 5 1
Trot l i nes, * 1 04

Trout, 48, *49

Tunas, 1 6, * 1 7
T u r l e K n o t, * 1 1 5
Uti l ity boats, * 1 55
Waders, * 1 1 3
W a d i n g net, * 1 1 1
Wahoo, 1 4, * 1 5
Wa l l eyes, 1 0, 52, * 53
Warmouths, 50, * 5 1
Water temperature,
1 20- 1 2 1
Weakfi s h , 32, *33
Weather, 1 2 1
Weed l e s s l u re s, 1 2 8,
* 1 29
Western M u d m i n n ow,
*59
Wet f l i es, *72
boxes, * 1 1 0
White B a ss, 52, *53
W h i t e Catfish, 56, *57
W h i te Grunt, 28 , *29
W h i te M a r l i n , 1 8, * 1 9
W h i t e Perch, 52, *53
Wh ite Seabass, 32, *33
W h i te S e a p e r c h , 3_6 , * 3 7
W h i t i n g s , 34, *35
W i n te r F l o u n d er, *38
rig, * 1 1 6
Wire c u tters, * 1 1 2
W i r e leader, *99
Wire l i n e, 77
W i r e spreader, * 1 1 7
W o b b l ers, *67
Worms , *60, * 6 5 , 1 1 0
i m itation, * 7 1
1 plastic jig, * 70

Y e l l o w Bass, 52, *53

Yel l o w f i n C roakers, 32,
*33
Yel lowfin Groupers,
24, *25
Y e l l o w f i n T u n a , 1 6, * 1 7
Y e l l o w J a c k s, 20, * 2 1
Y e l l o w Perch, * 6 , 5 2 , * 53
Y e l l ow ta i ls, 2 8 , *29

ST

FI SHING
A GOLDEN GUIDE

G EO R G E S. FICHTER was ed i t o r- i n -c h i ef of The Fish

erman m a g az i n e and a n executive of the S p o rt F i s h

o n n a t u re s u bj ects a n d i s coa u t h o r of t h e b o o k Good

i n g I n st i t u t e . H e h a s contri b u ted t o l ea d i n g m a gaz i n e s

Fishing.

PHIL FRA N C I S se rved as a n ed i to r o n Florida Wildlife

and The Fisherman and h a s w r i tten for m a n y o t h e r

m a gaz i n es, nota b l y Sa lt- Water Sportsman a n d Field

and Strea m .

He

holds

seve ral

I n tern a t i o n a l

Spin

F i s h i n g Assoc i a t i o n wo r l d record s .

H E R B E RT

S.

ZIM,

Ph.D.,

Sc.D.,

an

o r i g i nator and

f o r m e r ed i t or of t h e G o l d e n G u i d e S e r i e s , w a s a l so
an a u t h o r for m a n y years. A u t h o r of s o m e n i n ety
books and e d i t o r of a b o u t as m a n y, h e is now A d j u nct
P rofe s s o r at the U n i ve r s i t y of M i a m i and E d ucat i o n a l
Co n s u l ta n t to t h e A m e r i c a n F r i e n d s S e r v i c e Com m i t
tee and

other o rga n i z a t i o n s .

H e works o n e d u ca

t i o n a l , po p u l a t i o n a n d e n v i ro n m e n t a l p r o b l e m s .
T O M D O LA N , i l l u st rator of w i l d l i fe a rt i c l e s f o r l e a d

i n g m agaz i n es a n d e n cyc l o p e d i a s, h a s c o n d u cted i n

d e p e n d e n t research on t h e c o l o r m e ch a n i s m of
f i s h e s . K E N M A RTI N h a s c o n t r i b u ted to n oted maga
z i n es o n s c i e n ce s u bjects a n d now spec i a l i z e s i n b o o k
i l l u st rat i o n . H A R RY M c N A U G HT i s a we l l - k nown i l
i n c l u d i n g t h e Golden Book of Science.

l u strato r o f s c i e n t i f i c j o u r n a l s a n d j u ve n i l e

GOLDEN PRESS

NEW YORK

books,

24008-1

A GOLDEN GUIDE

FISHING
A com p l ete handbook for the sport fi sherman
Fresh- and salt-wate r tackle
Principal fishes of N o rth America
N atu ral and artificial baits
Casting; hooking and landing a fi s h
A b a s i c g u i d e and a h a n d y refe rence

ISBN 0-307-24008-8