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WHERE, WHEN,/ HOW

EAST COAST

W.H.GR.EGG.

THE LIBRARY

OF

SANTA BARBARA

COLLEGE OF

THE UNIVERSITY

OF CALIFORNIA

PRESENTED BY

MR. AND MRS.R.W.VAUGHAN

Where, When, and How
to Catch Fish

ON THE

East Coast of Florida.

BY

WILLIAM H. GREGG,

of St. Louis, Mo.,

assisted by

CAPT. JOHN GARDNER,

of Ponce Park, Mosquito Inlet, Fla.

with

ONE HUNDRED ENGRAVINGS, AND TWELVE

COLORED ILLUSTRATIONS

OF FISHES.

BUFFALO and new YORK:

The Matthews- Northrup Works,

1902.

Copyright, 1002, by

WILLIAM H. GREGG,

St. Louis, Mo.

All rights reserved.

4 £3

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
SANTA BARBARA COLLEGE LIBRARY.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.— Introductory.

CHAPTER II. — List of fishes on the East Coast, with mention of 187, descrip-
tion of 125, engravings of 100, and plates in natural colors of 12 species.
Also weights of fishes, appropriate baits and tackles, method of catching, and
edible qualities, of each species.

CHAPTER III. — List of baits, natural and artificial.

CHAPTER IV. — List of fishing tackle, with illustrations of same, and of arti-
ficial baits.

CHAPTER V. — Fishing localities ; general remarks regarding them.

CHAPTER VI.— Mayport (mouth of St. Johns River), Atlantic Beach (Hotel
Continental), and San Pablo (Pablo Beach).

CHAPTER VII. — Saint Augustine, Sebastian River, Matanzas River, Matanzas
Inlet, and the beach.

CHAPTER VIII. — Halifax River, Ormond, Daytona, Port Orange, Ponce Park,
Mosquito Inlet, and the beach.

CHAPTER IX. — Hillsboro River, New Smyrna, and Hawks Park, to Mosquito
Lagoon, the Haulover Canal, and beach.

CHAPTER X. — Indian River, from the Haulover Canal to Indian River Inlet,
and the beach.

CHAPTER XI. — Indian River Inlet, Saint Lucie and Fort Pierce, to Jupiter,
Lake Worth, and the beach.

CHAPTER XII.— Lake Worth, the pier, beach and reefs.

CHAPTER XIII. — Canal from Lake Worth to Biscayne Bay, beach and reefs.

CHAPTER XIV. — Biscayne Bay, Lemon City, Miami and Cocoanut Grove.

CHAPTER XV. — Cape Florida to Caesar's Creek and reefs.

CHAPTER XVI.— Caesar's Creek to Indian Key and reefs.

CHAPTER XVII. — Indian Key to Key West.

CHAPTER XVIII.— Key West.

CHAPTER XIX.— Inside Route Key West to Bahia Honda.

CHAPTER XX.— Hotel and Boarding House List. East Coast.

CHAPTER XXI.— Conclusion.

INDEX.

MAP OF EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY.

I have been a frequent visitor to Florida, my first visit occurring
in February, 1885, and I have spent the most of my time at the vari-
ous angling resorts on the Eastern and Western Coasts of the State.

Before going there I had been a reader of the angling literature
of the times, wholly, or in part, devoted to that part of the United
States.

Among the works I consulted were Frank Forester (Henry Wil-
liam Herbert), " Fish and Fishing," 1859 ; Thaddeus Norris, ''Amer-
ican Anglers' Book," 1864; Genio C. Scott, "Fishing in American
Waters," 1869; "Camp Life in Florida," edited by Charles Hal-
lock, principal contributors: S. C. Clarke, " Al Fresco" (Doctor
Kenworthy), and " Fred Beverly," 1876; " Sportsmen's Gazetteer,"
Charles Hallock, 1877 ; " Camping and Cruising in Florida," James
A. Henshall, 1884.

The above books, with the contemporaneous articles and contri-
butions to "Forest and Stream" and other periodicals devoted to
hunting and fishing, furnished to the visiting anglers a wealth of
information as to where to fish in Florida.

At the time Dr. Henshall published his " Camping and Cruising "
there were only the following named railroads in the State : The
Narrow Gauge, between Jacksonville and St. Augustine ; the Penin-
sular, between Fernandina and Cedar Keys ; and the one from Jack-
sonville to Palatka, on St. Johns River.

Parties visiting the West Coast were obliged to go by steamer up
the St. Johns River, and stage or wagon across to the coast ; or by
rail to Cedar Keys, and then north or south to their destination by
small steamers, or small sailing craft. Parties for the East Coast
could go from Jacksonville to New Smyrna by steamer or sailboat,
then up or down the inside, or outside, waters to destination on sail-
boats ; or could take steamer up the St. Johns to Sanford, or Enter-
prise, and stage or wagon to New Smyrna or Titusville, then small
sailboat up or down the coast.

While the above conditions of transportation prevailed, it can be
readily seen that the fishing tourists were not very numerous. Since

4 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

then the State has been covered with a network of railroads, reaching
all important points on both coasts, except Key West.

While this transformation has been in progress, I know of no book
having been published wholly devoted to the angler's pursuit in the
State, the field having been only partially covered by articles in, and
contributions to, "Forest and Stream," the "American Angler,"
various isolated articles in other sporting papers and magazines, and
in a few books. Among the latter I will mention "American Game
Fishes," published by Rand & McNally, 1892, which contains contri-
butions by W. N. Haldeman on the Tarpon ; the Bluefish, by G.
Browne Goode ; and Sea Bass and other Fishes, by S. C. Clarke. All
of these are fragmentary and desultory, so can be of but little prac-
tical use to the angling visitor who desires to know where he ought to
go to get fair success at the present time. It has seemed strange to
me that no one of the very many anglers of well-known literary abil-
ity has undertaken to write a systematic book of information and in-
struction on the game fishes of the State, for which there is certainly
an apparent need.

As no one has appeared to take the task, it has occurred to me
that possibly I could assume it, although not as fully qualified in every
respect as many other anglers of more literary experience would be.
I have, to quote Thaddeus Norris in his introduction to "American
Anglers Book," "overcome my scruples as to my shortcomings as a
writer, for I profess to be only an angler," and have decided to write
and publish the book, with the hope that it will be of substantial
benefit to my brothers of the craft. In the preparation of the book I
am to have the assistance of Capt. John Gardner of Ponce Park
(Mosquito Inlet), Florida, who has had thirty years' experience as
fisherman, boatman and guide on the East Coast. In order to show
the reader the captain's qualifications and my own, to impart the
information contained in the book, I think it well to give a short
account of our experience on the waters included in the territory I
treat of.

Capt. Gardner was born in the interior of Florida, and at an
early age removed to St. Augustine, where he " fished on de sea wall "
with the Minorcan boys, and since 1871 has resided on the Halifax
River, Hillsboro River, and Mosquito Lagoon, all of which waters
are connected and continuous, extending from the Tomoka River, four
miles north of Ormond, south to the north end of Indian River. At

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 5

the age of fourteen years he commenced to row and sail boats for
parties fishing for sport, his headquarters then being at that well-
known sportsmen's and family winter resort, the Oak Hill House,
situated on the west side of Mosquito Lagoon, managed by Mr. Frank
W. Sams, then and now the proprietor of the Ocean House at New
Smyrna on the Hillsboro River, five miles south of Mosquito Inlet.
From the above until the present time Capt. Gardner has been
almost constantly engaged during the fall, winter and spring seasons,
and often during the summer, in guiding fishing parties ; and in
charge of sailboats and yachts on the inside and outside waters of the
East Coast. During a few of the summer seasons he has worked as a
carpenter and boat builder, having built five sailboats and many row-
boats adapted to the East Coast waters and the occupation in which
he has been engaged. His home has been : seven years at Oak Hill,
seven at New Smyrna, and sixteen at Ponce Park, which village is
situated at Mosquito Inlet, eighteen miles south of Ormond, twelve
south of Daytona, and five north of New Smyrna.

All three of above-mentioned places of his residence are well-
known sport fishing resorts, and for many years were the leading resorts
on the East Coast. Among the many sportsmen he has guided, I will
mention a few, namely : Mr. S. C. Clarke of Boston, widely known
as an angler, and writer on angling and other subjects, who spent
much time at Ponce Park ; Mr. Benson, who fished at Enterprise, on
St. Johns River, and at New Smyrna and Ponce Park for many years ;
Mr. Samuel H. Jones of Philadelphia, whom he guided five consecu-
tive winter seasons, being with him when he caught the first Tarpon
ever taken with rod and reel, which occurred at Indian River Inlet
during the winter of 1884 ; Mr. C. E. Hillman and Mr. Saury of
Nashville, Tenn.; Mr. McFarren and Doctor Diehl of Louisville, Ky.;
Commodore Asten of New York ; Mr. George F. Peabody of Apple-
ton, Wis.; Mr. W. E. Connor of New York; Mr. Edward P. Borden
of Philadelphia; Professor W. A. Walker of Charleston, S. C;
Messrs. John G. Prather, John A. Scudder, H. G. Brookings, James
Lupe, the two brothers Mandeville, W. H. Gregg, W. H. Gregg, Jr.,
and Frederic Hawley of St. Louis ; and Mr. Charles M. Hays of
Montreal, Canada.

While with several of the above gentlemen he sailed their boats,
or yachts, on cruises extending in some cases from Ormond to Key
West, and extending in time from a few days to eight months.

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

He accompanied Mr. Frank W. Sams, U. S. Inspector of Life
Saving Stations and Houses of Refuge, on the East Coast, on twelve
inspection trips during 1884-5-6-7-8, from New Smyrna to Biscayne
Bay, there being at that time no regular steamer or rail communica-
tion, and no canals except the old " Haulover " between Mosquito
Lagoon and Indian River. These trips were made in small sailboats
to Jupiter, and from there south to Biscayne Bay in canoes. During
eleven of these trips they came north by the inside route from Bis-
cayne Bay to the south end of Lake Worth, through the saw -grass of
the eastern edge of the Everglades, utilizing the sounds and other
waters of New and Hillsboro rivers, and Lake Worth Creek, as much
as possible. (There are two Hillsboro rivers on the East Coast and
one on the West Coast, which latter enters Hillsboro Bay at Tampa. )
During April, 1895, he made a land hunting trip from New Smyrna to
Biscayne Bay in a small sailboat, going outside from Jupiter to the Bay,
where he remained two weeks. During all these trips he paid partic-
ular attention to the fishing, while en route, and when at the stations.

He has also sailed freight and passenger schooners and sloops
between New Smyrna and Jacksonville, calling many times at St. Au-
gustine, and has made one visit to Fernandina.

During the thirty years covered by the above recital, he has fished
for sport, and sometimes for market, at many points above Jackson-
ville, on the St. Johns River ; at St. Augustine, in the Matanzas and
St. Sebastian rivers ; at Matanzas Inlet, eighteen miles south of the
city ; and outside from there, both from boats and in the surf from
the beach ; and inside, through the rivers, lagoons, canals, Lake
Worth, Biscayne Bay, and the line of Keys, all the way to Key West,
covering every inlet and pass of importance the entire distance.

I first came to Florida early in February, 1885, stopping at St.
Augustine. I fished in the Matanzas and Sebastian rivers many
times, and before leaving spent three days at Matanzas Inlet, at the
south end of Matanzas River.

About the first of March I went by stage from St. Augustine to
Daytona, a distance of sixty-five miles, where, with two other gentle-
men, I chartered a small sloop in charge of her owner, Capt. Ward.

We proceeded to Ponce Park, twelve miles to the south, fishing

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 7

there four or five days, and then on to New Smyrna, where we stop-
ped at the Ocean House about a week, putting in our time on the
water. Then on south to the Oak Hill House on Mosquito La-
goon, where we stayed one day, then to the " Haulover " one day,
from where we went on down Indian River to Paine' s boarding house,
opposite Indian River Inlet, having stopped one day each at Titus-
ville and Rock Ledge. We remained at Paine's several days, when
my companions left me and returned to St. Augustine. I continued on
to Jupiter, where I remained several days, then returning to Indian
River Inlet, where I took a small steamer, belonging to Jacob Loril-
lard, to Rock Ledge. That steamer was the first one to carry passen-
gers on Indian River. We were four days making the trip to Rock
Ledge, owing to oyster bars in the river which the steamer often ran
onto. At Rock Ledge I took a wagon over to Lake Poinset, where I
boarded a steamer for Sanford, and from the latter place, steamer to
Jacksonville.

My next trip to the State was during the winter of 1890, when I
repeated the above trip on Indian River down to Jupiter on the sloop
" Hillsboro," in charge of her owner, B. J. Pacetti, with John Gard-
ner as assistant.

During the winter of 1891, I again repeated the two former
cruises, on the sloop " Lillie Shippey," with the owner, Dick McCarty,
in charge, and John Gardner assistant. On this cruise I made more
stops than I had before. From 181)2 to 1897, inclusive, I cruised
over the same waters as above with B. J. Pacetti on the "Hillsboro,"
also visiting Lake Worth many times, where I first stopped at Dim-
mick's Hotel, and later at the Royal Poinciana. In 1896 I spent the
month of April at the Hotel Riviera on the west side of the lake,
nearly opposite the inlet. During the season I spent a week at May-
port, mouth of St. Johns River. In March, 1892, Mr. Edward P.
Borden and myself chartered the schooner "Manatee," her owner,
Capt. John Zellers, in charge, for a cruise down a part of the East
Coast and around the capes to the West Coast. We sailed out at
Gilbert's Bar, Indian River, at 8.30 A. M. and made Bears Cut, Bis-
cayne Bay, at 7.30 P. M., a run of one hundred and ten miles.

On the run we trolled for Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, and King-
fish, catching a large number, returning all to the water except a few
for the table.

We remained on the Bay about a week, visiting the rapids, five

8 WHERE, WHEN, AXD HOW TO CATCH FISH

miles up the Miami River, Cocoanut Grove, and other places of inter-
est, passing on south, inside, stopping at Cape Florida, Soldier Key,
Ragged Keys, Sands Cut (called by Capt. Zellers, the Aquarium),
Caesar's Creek (a pass into the ocean), then outside to Indian Key,
where we fished around Alligator Lighthouse, four and one-half
miles off the Key, for Barracouda, catching seven, trolling with squids
from rowboats.

Mr. Borden took one of forty-six pounds, my largest weighing
twenty-four pounds.

Our next stop was inside Long's Key, from whence we sailed,
across the Bay of Florida to Cape Sable, forty-five miles, from which
point we proceeded up the West Coast, stopping at Shark Creek,
Whitewater Bay, Horse Creek, Chuckaluska, Marco, and some other
unimportant creeks and bays, finally running into Punta Rassa, on
Charlotte Harbor, through San Carlos Pass.

We devoted about two weeks to Charlotte Harbor and Ostero Bay,
five miles to the south, catching many kinds of fishes, including Tar-
pon, in the harbor and bay. Mr. Borden also caught Tarpon at Marco.

In addition to the above cruise, I have made four fishing trips to
the West Coast, having spent some days, or weeks, at each of the fol-
lowing places : Homosassa, on the Homosassa River ; Tarpon
Springs, on the Anclote River ; Duneden, Clear Water, Johns Pass,
Pass a Grille, and Disston City, on Clearwater Harbor; St. Peters -
burgh, Port Tampa, and Tampa, on Tampa Bay ; Sarasota, on Sara-
sota Bay ; Punta Gorda, Pease Creek, St. James City (on Pine
Island), Punta Rassa, on Charlotte Harbor; and Fort Meyers, on the
Caloosa River.

I have also visited the following points on the Gulf of Mexico :
Pass Christian three times, one visit of two months ; Bay St. Louis,
Wolf River, English Lookout at mouth of Pearl River, Biloxi, Ocean
Springs and Pensacola.

In the above account I have purposely refrained from giving details
of the fishing at the different places visited, because the account was
written partly to show the basis for Capt. Gardner's and my own
knowledge of the subject in hand ; and, in addition, because I
intend to give all the detail when I describe the fishes and the locali-
ties where they are caught. And, as a still more potent reason for
avoiding detail, I did not desire to tell "any big fish stories," thus
raising the expectations of my readers by recounting the condition of

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 9

affairs before the advent of the steamboat, the railway, and last, but
not least, the ice factory, which were quickly followed by the "man
with the net."

The above mentioned factors have measurably decreased the num-
ber of fishes, but there are still enough left to satisfy the average
sport fisher, who is willing and persevering. My book is written with
the intention of giving, to the best of my ability, the conditions
existing at the present time on the entire coast, and I will refer those
of my readers who wish to read of the fishing "as it used to be " to
the writers I have already mentioned.

In the next chapter I will give a list of the fishes I have caught,
observed, or know to have been caught on the coast ; and in succeed-
ing chapters will give list of baits, natural and artificial, which,
according to my experience, should be used for each kind of fish ;
and a description of the tackle I consider necessary. After the
above, I will treat of the fishing places I consider of importance,
stating the variety of fishes at each place, and how, and where, to
fish for them.

At the risk of wearying the reader with a too long introductory
chapter, I close this one by quoting the opinions of some very high
authorities regarding the coasts of Florida as to their angling resorts.
Barton W. Evermann, Ichthyologist of United States Fish Commis-
sion, in a paper read at Fishery Congress, held at Tampa, Fla., January
19, 1898, says: "There is perhaps no State in the Union whose
fishes have attracted more general attention than those of Florida.
The interest in the fishes of this State is shared by the commercial
fisherman, the angler and the ichthyologist.

"The number of species that are sought because of their com-
mercial value is far greater than in any other section of Amer-
ica. Those that are of interest to the angler are more numerous
than any other State can boast, while the richness and peculiarities
of the fish fauna of Florida have made this State a fascinating field
to the ichthyologist and student of geographic distribution." " The
total number of fishes known from Floridian waters is about 600, or
about one-fifth of the entire fauna of America, north of Panama. ' '
"The warm waters of the Keys serve as a more or less effective
barrier to the passage of fishes living in colder water. As a result,

10 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

many species are found on the East Coast of Florida which do not
occur on the Gulf Coast, and vice versa. There are so many species
found on the West Coast that are not known on the East Coast that
the two coasts may be regarded as having separate fauna." " There
is no other place in the United States where one can study live fishes
so satisfactorily as at Key West." "Trolling for kingfish, jack,
crevalle, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and spotted sea trout at Indian
River, Lake Worth, Key West, or Biscayne Bay, furnishes sport of
the most exciting kind ; while still fishing for sheepshead and man-
grove snappers at Indian River Inlet ; for chubs, porgies, porkfish,
yellowtails, snappers, and grunts at Key West ; or for red snappers,
red groupers, and others of their kin on the Snapper Banks furnishes
sufficient variety to please any angler, in whatever mood he may
chance to be. I have fished in every State and Territory in the
Union but three, and from Siberia and Behring Sea to the Gulfs of
California and Mexico, and, all things considered, regard Florida as
unequaled in the richness and variety of its attractions for all sorts of
sport with rod and reel."

Lieut. William Henn of the British Navy, a well-known yachts-
man and sportsman, in an article contributed to the Century Maga-
zine, June, 1893, entitled " Caught on a Lee Shore," says : "The
coasts of Florida, from the head of Indian River on the east to
Tampa Bay or Cedar Keys on the west, are about the best cruising-
grounds for a small or medium-sized yacht that I am acquainted with.
As for the fishing, for variety, gameness, size and quantity of the
fish, I believe it to be the best in the world. And game, both fin
and feather, is more or less abundant, according as the country is
more or less settled."

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 11

CHAPTER II.
LIST OF FISHES CAUGHT ON THE EAST COAST.

In the classification, nomenclature, and illustrations in the follow-
ing list I have followed " Bulletin No. 47 " of the United States Na-
tional Museum, prepared by David Starr Jordan, Ph. D. , President of
the Leland Stanford University, and Barton Warren Evermann, Ph. D.,
Ichthyologist of the United States Fish Commission, which work was
completed in four volumes in March, 1900, and is entitled "The
Fishes of North and Middle America, a Descriptive Catalogue of the
Species of Fish -like Vertebrates found in the waters of North America,
North of the Isthmus of Panama. " It contains descriptions of 3,263
species, and 958 illustrations of fishes. As is well known, the United
States National Museum is under the supervision of the Smithsonian
Institution.

The above work is a continuation, revision, and correction of
Bulletin 16 of the United States National Museum, published in 1883
by Jordan & Gilbert, entitled " Synopsis of the Fishes of North
America," with addition of species discovered between the dates of
the two bulletins, so is the standard authority at this time as to the
classification and scientific and common names of the fishes of North
America.

It, naturally, must be the authority, or " court of last resort," to
decide all disputes as to the correct names of all the fishes mentioned
in it, and there are many disputes as to the common names. In the
United States Fish Commission Report of 1895 there is a " Check
List " of the scientific names in the above work, in which is included
the common names of many of the fishes, and there is also a separate
" List of Common names of fishes occurring in the Check List. ' ' Only
Vol. 1, of Bulletin 47, had been printed when the Report of 1895
was issued, other volumes being in manuscript. In the report of
1899 there is a " Check List of the fishes of Florida," giving their
scientific and many of their common names.

While I follow Jordan & Evermann as to classification and nomen-
clature, I give priority to the common name by which each fish is
known to the market fishermen, sportsmen, and residents of the East
Coast of Florida.

12 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

After quoting the scientific names given by Jordan & Evermann, I
give the additional names used on the coast, then the common names
used by J. & E. , and in my index place all of them, scientific and com-
mon, so that any reader can probably find any fish he may be in search
of. I treat the game qualities of the fishes as I have found them during
my long experience on the coast, and as to their edible qualities have
done the same. I have lived on the waters from two to over seven
months during each of the last twelve years, and one year before ;
have eaten fish from one to three times per day during all the time ;
have had them cooked in all sorts of ways on boats, and at hotel by
special orders, and on the regular menus, so, possibly, ought to be
considered a judge, but "tastes differ," and probably many persons
will not accept my classification as to the edible qualities of the
fishes. I grade them as Al, A, B, and C.

I have enumerated only a small proportion of the species on the
coast treated in Jordan & Evermann, the larger number of which
are designated only by scientific names, and are interesting to the
ichthyologist and other naturalists, but possess no especial attractions
for the average angler.

In the common and local names there are many misnomers, which
is unavoidable. When the scientific men have visited the different
localities, they have been obliged to report the names as they have
found them, as otherwise they could not designate a fish so that it
would be known to the people where it was caught.

As many different fishes are known by the same common name in
different localities, an apparent confusion exists, for which there ap-
pears to be no remedy. I mention all the names as I find them, mak-
ing such explanation as I think necessary in each case. In explana-
tion of what some readers may consider a great variety in some of
the species, I will refer to the "Check List" of Jordan & Ever-
mann, in which they give, under heading of " Pampanos " (in which
they include the Cavalles, Jacks, Permits, Moon-fishes, Look-Downs,
and Pampanos), sixty-five varieties; under Catfishes, 102; Sharks,
sixty-five ; Rays, thirty-one ; Suckers, sixty-eight ; and Carps, 254.
The Groupers, Snappers, Grunts, and Porgies are numerous. In
making my list, I have, in addition to Jordan & Evermann, con-
sulted the United States Fish Commission reports of 1895, 1896,
1897, 1898, and 1899, and its Bulletins of 1896, 1897, 1898; as also
Jordan & Gilbert's synopsis, 1882 and 1883 ; Fishes of Porto Rico,

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 13

Barton W. Evermann, 1900; American Fishes (Goode), the Cata-
logue of the New York Aquarium, Webster's Dictionary, and the
various angling works, I have already mentioned, but, of course, ac-
cept Jordan & Evermann as the only, and final, authority.

I am especially careful to give all the Spanish and French names
in Jordan & Evermann, because those names are the ones by which
the fishes were first known by civilized people in this country, and
many of them are singularly appropriate, as they indicate character-
istics and especial features in the fishes, which is not the case, to the
same extent, in the English names.

Instead of making my list run in alphabetical order, I feel obliged
to conform to the method adopted by Jordan & Evermann and
other ichthyologists in the United States. Contrary to the methods
generally adopted in Europe of giving precedence to the higher forms
of fish life, the Americans have given it to the lowest or simplest
orders, commencing with the Lancelets, Lampreys, then Sharks,
Skates, Rays, etc., and then coming on up to the more highly organ-
ized orders and species. My index, however, will enable the reader
to find the fish he is looking for. This procedure compels me to
commence my list with nineteen worthless fishes, which do not make
a very pleasant introduction to my readers, who, however, if they
fish long on the coast, especially among the Keys, will catch them
all, thus being compelled to take the bitter with the sweet. As the
technical descriptions are necessarily long, I give only such as I con-
sider of importance, but give one or more in every family, and give
illustration of one or more in nearly every family mentioned which
is illustrated in Jordan & Evermann' s Bulletin 47.

There seems to have been no generally accepted rule, or custom,
among the angling writers as to whether the common names of fishes
should begin with a capital letter or not. The earlier writers in this
country seem to have capitalized quite generally in their texts, while
some of those of later dates have abandoned the practice, and others
have continued it. Among those who have continued, I will men-
tion : Frank Forrester, 1859 ; Thaddeus Norris, 1864 ; J. C. Wil-
cocks in the "Sea Fisherman" (English), 1884; Rand, McNally &
Co., 1892 ; and G. Brown Goode, who was "Secretary of the Smith-
sonian Institution in charge of the United States National Museum,
and Commissioner to the International Fisheries exhibitions in Berlin
and London." Mr. Goode seems to have made it an especial point to

14 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

capitalize the name of every, or nearly every, fish he mentions in
his "American Fishes," 1887. He is one of the leading ichthyolo-
gists of the country. Albert C. L. G. Giinther, M. A., M. D., Ph.
D., F. R. S., Keeper of the Zoological Department in the British
Museum, in his "Introduction to the Study of Fishes," Edinburgh,
1880, capitalizes every fish he mentions.

I can find no exception in the book, which has 720 pages. I want
no better authority than Doctor Giinther and Doctor Goode.

On the contrary, Genio C. Scott, 1869 ; Hallock, 1873-5 ; Hen-
shall, 1884; and Eugene McCarthy, 1900, have not capitalized.

The scientific people do not practice it except in their captions
and headings of lists, indexes, etc. , which latter practice is, of course,
customary with all.

The same general lack of uniformity exists regarding the use of
the hyphen, as very few writers use it alike. I have, as a general
rule followed the scientific people in its use.

As I can see no sufficient reason why the capitalizing has been
abandoned by some of the modern angling writers, and because I
think its continuance tends to identify, and make prominent, the dif-
ferent species, I make free use of capitals. 1 have some regard and
respect for the fishes, too, and think they are entitled to have their
names handed down in capitals, especially by the angling fraternity.

I quote from Jordan & Evermann their formula, or method, of
describing the fishes in their list :

"In our description of species, we have attempted to bring the
principal comparative measurements first. The expressions 'head 4,'
or 'depth 4,' mean that the length of the head in the one case, or
the greatest depth of the body in the other, is contained 4 times in
the length of the fish, measured from the tip of the snout to the end
of the last caudal vertebra, the caudal fin being not included. The size
of the eye and the length of the snout and other head parts are com-
pared with the length of the side of the head, unless otherwise stated ;
thus ' eye 5 ' means that the horizontal diameter of the eye is \ the
length of the head.

' ' ' Scales 5-64-7 ' means that there are 5 rows of scales between
the base of the dorsal fin and the lateral line (the scale in the lateral
line excluded), 64 oblique transverse series crossing the lateral line,
and 7 horizontal series between the lateral line and the base of the
anal or the vent. When the number of pores in the lateral line is

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 15

fewer than the number of scales in it, we have usually indicated the
fact.

"The fin formulae are usually shortened as much as possible ; thus
' D. 10,' ' D. IV, 9,' or < D. VIII-13,' means that in the first case
the fish has a single dorsal fin of 10 soft or articulated rays ; in the
second case, a single dorsal fin of 4 spines and 9 soft rays ; and the
last indicates a fish with 2 dorsal fins, the first composed of 8 spines
and the second of 13 rays.

"Spines are always indicated in Roman letters.

"The abbreviations for the other fin formulae are similarly
explained.

" The measurements given in the text are intended to apply to
the average of mature fishes. Young fishes usually have the depth
less, the head and eye larger, and the mouth smaller than adult
examples of the same species.

" Descriptions not taken from specimens, or at least not verified
by us, are credited to the author from whom they have been copied.

" ' Eu.' after the account of any species indicates that it is found
in Europe.

" The names of the localities from which the types of the species
were obtained are printed in antique old style type in connection
with the synonymy of each species.

" When the type specimens are in the United States National
Museum, we have given the numbers which they bear on the regis-
ter of that institution.

"An atlas, containing anatomical figures and illustrations of many
of the more important species, is now in preparation and will appear
upon the completion of the second volume of the present work. ' '

I am afraid the above will seem complex and tedious to some of my
readers, but the scientific men must have formulas to go by, and they
have, of course, devised as simple ones as will meet the case. It is a
very difficult matter to find language which will convey to the lay-
man's, or non-expert's, mind a clear idea of the construction of any
animal. Nothing but an illustration (or the animal itself) will con-
vey the information desired, and in the case of fishes one in colors of
each fish is necessary. It is to be hoped that some Audubon will
arise to illustrate fishes in colors as well as the great man of that
name illustrated the " Birds of America."

I will give, 1st — The common names of the fishes.

16 WHERE, WHEW AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

2d — The scientific names.

3d — The numbers of the illustrations in Jordan &

Evermann.
4th — The page on which the fishes are described by

Jordan & Evermann.
5th — Description of the fishes.

Then weight of the fishes, Bait, Tackle, method
of fishing, and edible qualities.
The numbers of the fishes in my list are my own.

Illustration. Page.

i. "SPHYRNA TIBURO." 19 44

Sharks • " Body rather slender, not much compressed ; head

Shovel-head ; depressed, simicircular in front ; reniform, the pos-
Bonnet-head. terior free margins short, the lateral margins continu-
ous with the anterior ; pectorals large ; first dorsal high, midway
between pectorals and ventrals ; second dorsal much smaller, pro-
duced behind, higher and shorter than anal ; ventral fins moderate ;
caudal moderate ; mouth small, crescentic ; teeth small, very oblique,
with a deep notch on the outer margin. Head 4yi in length, 6
to tip of caudal ; width of head slightly less than length of head.
Color, uniform ashy, paler beneath. Length, 3 to 5 feet." Weight to
200 pounds. Non-edible.

2. "SPHYRNA ZYGJENA." Not illustrated. 45

cHARK . " Head truly hammer-shaped ; width of head about twice

Hammer- its length ; length of hinder margin of hammer nearly
headed, equal to its width near the eye ; nostril close to eye, pro-
longed into a groove which runs along nearly the whole front margin
of head ; first dorsal large ; second quite small, smaller than anal ;
pectoral rather large. Color, gray. A large voracious shark, reaching
a length of 15 feet or more." Weight to 200 pounds. Non-edible.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

17

Mackerel
Shark.

Illustration. Page.

3- "ISURUS DEKAYI." 21 48

Weight to 400 pounds.

Parties wishing to catch the above fishes, can use a
clothes line or -±r> to Vz -inch cotton line, and Shark
hook. Bait with live or dead fish, one-half to two or three pounds,
or chunk of meat. Stand on the shore at or near any pass or inlet
and cast out the bait. They will swallow the bait and hook, so all
you have to do is to haul them in ; or you can fish from rowboat, or
sailboat, or launch in same manner.

«r<tfS)

4. "GINGLYMOSTOMA CIRRATUM." 13 26

Nurse Shark This Shark will average about 2.3 pounds.
Gata.

"CARCHARIAS LITTORALIS." Not illustrated. 46
Average about 25 pounds. Non-edible.
The two last described Sharks are scarcely ever
fished for by sportsmen, but take his bait while he is fishing for better

Sand Shark.

18 WHERE, WHEN, AXD HOW TO CATCH FISH

fish. All of the Sharks are exceedingly troublesome from Mayport
to Key West, as they will not only take your bait, but will frequently
take the fish you have hooked while you are reeling him in or playing
him. They are simply an unmitigated nuisance to any angler after
he has caught the first one or two in his angling experience. Get rid
of the Sharks as soon as possible by getting them as near as you can
to the boat, or shore, and cutting the line, losing as little as you can.
They are especially troublesome while fishing outside on the
"patches," or trolling, as they very frequently cut off your fish,
wholly, or in part. The Shark has fine game qualities, and affords
sport to those who desire to fish for them, but usually sportsmen are
satisfied with a few. Non-edible.

I have often heard it said in Florida that "a cat has nine lives,
and that a shark and an alligator has each ten," and it almost seems
true in some cases.

There are many stories told of Sharks coming to life or reviving,
after apparently being killed, some of which are true, and many
slightly exaggerated.

One of the best of the latter kind was told by Mr. Saury of Nash-
ville. A lot of us anglers were at the Detroit Hotel, St. Petersburgh,
seven or eight years ago, and several big fish stories were told, some
of them about Sharks. Finally, Saury's turn came.

He said he was out on the main shore off Clear Water Harbor
with some other gentlemen, sharking. Finally, they hauled in a very
large one, nine or ten feet long. Some one suggested that they
experiment with him and see if the huge stories told about their com-
ing to life were true. So they opened up the Shark and scattered his
'.' innards " around on the beach within a space of ten feet or so, and
then went off some distance to eat their lunch. In a short time
they heard a commotion on the beach, and all stepped down to see
what was going on. The Shark had revived and was in the act of
swallowing some of his "innards," and they stayed there until he
had swallowed all there was of them and swam off all O. K.

As the reader probably knows, some four or five years ago there
was quite a controversy in the press, and among anglers, as to whether
or not a Shark would attack a live man in the water. A New York
gentleman, according to my recollection, offered a reward of a thou-
sand dollars for a well authenticated instance of a Shark attacking a

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 19

man, and the reward was never claimed. I forget whether he con-
fined his offer to the vicinity of New York and the Jersey coast, or
included the coast farther south, but think he covered the entire
eastern coast in his offer. Now, I know of two instances where Sharks
have evidently eaten the arms and legs off a man, but it cannot be
proven in either case that the men were alive. The first instance
was a canoeist who attempted to cross Mosquito Inlet one evening just
before dark with the ebb tide running full force. He was carried out
and capsized, two or three people at Ponce Park witnessing the perform-
ance. His body was found two or three days afterwards with nearly
all the limbs eaten off, surely by Sharks, for there are no other fishes
there to do it. The mail carrier between Lake Worth and Biscayne Bay,
up to seven or eight years ago, carried the mail by walking on the
beach, crossing Hillsboro and New River inlets in boats, which he kept
for that purpose. One trip he " turned up missing," and was searched
for. His body was found with the limbs wholly or partly eaten off.

No one will ever know whether, in either or both cases, the
Sharks attacked them in the water, or eat them after death.

While at Indian Key some three years ago we were told that a
man, a few days before our arrival, while groping around a small
wreck in the channel in about four feet water, after Crawfish, was
attacked by a Shark about five feet long and bitten badly in the leg.
He had to go to Key West for surgical and medical treatment. This
seems to be an authentic case. I believed the story because it was of
very recent date, told in apparently the utmost candor simply as a
piece of news, and without any motive to tell an untruth.

During the summer of 1901, Michael O'Brien, a resident of Wood-
ley, near Indian River Narrows, while bathing in the surf, a few
miles north of Indian River Inlet, was attacked by a large Shark which
came between him and the shore and bit him badly on his side near
his stomach or bowels, the wound being a very dangerous one.

He was taken to Fort Pierce and carried on a stretcher to Doctor
C. P. Piatt, under whose care he recovered. The above was told to
me by Mr. R. C. Somerlin of Saint Lucie, whom I know to be per-
fectly reliable, and the incident is well known to the residents of
Fort Pierce and Saint Lucie.

Here is a well authenticated case of a Shark attacking a live man,
one where the attacked party, and many witnesses, are alive and can
be called upon to substantiate the facts in the case.

20 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

I trust my readers will not think I have devoted too much time
and space to the Shark subject, if they do, my excuse is, that the mat-
ter has been much debated among anglers, and L have endeavored to
throw as much light on it as possible.

I conclude that I, for one, am perfectly satisfied that many Sharks
have attacked many live men.

Since writing the above my attention has been called to an article
in the Cliarleston News and Courier of August 29, 1901, on the man-
eating Shark subject, which I herewith quote.

I am of the opinion, however, that a mistake is made in the
account of the Florida mail carrier's death. I was at Lake Worth at
the time the news came there, which was, that the carrier not arriving
on time, some people went out to look for him, and found his remains
at the inlet with the head and limbs bitten off.

" It is a much mooted question as to whether or not there are
man-eating sharks in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is generally con-
ceded that the shark will devour the dead body of a human being,
but it has never been thoroughly and satisfactorily established that a
live person is liable to attack. The Rev. W. B. Yates, who, for
more than forty years, was a sailor's chaplain in this city, and who in
his youth had spent some years at sea, maintained that there were no
authentic instances of a man being eaten by a shark. The waters of
the Charleston harbor and the coast of South Carolina were as an
open book to him, and he went to his grave believing that sharks, in
this section, at least, were perfectly harmless.

"Captain William C. Ferguson, of No. 10 Pinckney Street, yes-
terday, in speaking to a reporter for The News and Courier, gave out
some facts and figures to prove that there are man-eating sharks and
that many unfortunate persons have been killed and devoured by
these sea monsters. Captain Ferguson has collected some data relat-
ing to the question and arranged his facts in a chronological order.
He says :

" ' In Charleston harbor, about 1840, as near as I can recall, one
of the crew of a pilot boat was accidently thrown overboard. The
boat was lowering her sails and coming up to her wharf at the time.
The two men pulling a skiff to his rescue were passed by a large
shark, which took the man under, and he was not seen again. The
morning paper noted that the man was treading water lightly with his
chest out. The shark was said to be twenty -five feet long.

ON THE EAST C0AS7 OF FLORIDA. 21

"'A large shark caught with hook and line on Southern wharf
had in it a part of a white man's body with a portion of his sailor's
clothes about it. This, too, was said to be a twenty-five foot shark.
The date of this, as near as I can remember, was 1837.

" ' In the year 1852 Charles Chambers and friend were capsized
near Mount Pleasant. Each took an oar and was wading ashore,
when the friend looked back and saw Charlie fighting off a shark.
Charlie was pulled under and lost to sight forever.

" ' In 1853 or '54 a young man was capsized off the Battery ; he
disappeared. His gold watch was afterwards found in a shark.
About 1883 a Charleston man's body was recovered in Bull's Bay,
from which an arm had been bitten off by a shark.

" ' In 1883, or near it, an old negro fishing near Castle Pinckney
was annoyed by a shark, which pulled the fish off his hook. The
shark finally made a deep dive, but before the man could thank his
lucky star the shark reappeared in a grand leap over the boat,
fortunately without touching the fisherman. The old fellow having
no taste for a mix-up of circus and tragedy went home to his dinner.

" ' In 1847 I was in the act of taking a front seat on what is now
the Clyde Line wharf, when a streak flashed along the water near the
wharf and out in the stream. The wharf is higher out of water now
than it was then. Suddenly the streak flashed in sight as from a long
turn, far out in the stream. It came swift and straight to the wharf, and
two large sharks appeared side by side, as though on a trial of speed.
They curved in front of me, within three feet of the wharf and two
feet of the surface, and out in the stream again. They turned this
time nearer and shorter, and were back to the wharf frightfully quick.
Speeding side by side they dashed close up to the wharf, and on the
surface of the water. It was all interesting. The last dash was a
grand display. I saw it by leaning forward and looking over the
edge of the wharf. The egg-shaped ring performance stopped
abruptly, when quick to the front they gave a fine show of graceful
movements on the water, followed by a sea-raising demonstration.
Then, seeming to have lost all interest in me, they retired behind
the sea scene they had raised.

" ' That summer, or one within a year or two of it, a person's hand
at the side of a boat was bitten off by a shark. A young sailor swam
across to Castle Pinckney and back again to the wharf. He said he
had no fear of sharks ; that no shark could ever get sight or scent of

22 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

him. He had all to learn about sharks. While swimming along he
suddenly disappeared.

" * In or about 1883 a steamboat on the coast of South Carolina
sighted a balloon descending. It failed to land and came across the
beach, dragging the balloonist over the water. A school of sharks,
with a great splashing, leaped out of the water and caught the
aeronaut.

" ' In 1895 a Florida mail carrier was crossing an inlet in a boat.
He was seen fighting sharks with his oar. The sharks pulled his boat
to pieces and the man disappeared.

" ' It was about 1853 that Capt. George Jacob Hanscheldt, who
was born and raised in Charleston, chanced to be knocked overboard
near Fernandina bar. A large shark, seen at the side, had now dis-
appeared and all to be seen of the captain was a bloody streak in the
water. The skipper had dressed to go ashore to call on his sister,
who was on a visit to Fernandina from Charleston. Captain Han-
scheld had just said, looking at the shark, ' I hope it is not me you are
waiting for, old boy.'

" ' A boy was badly lacerated by a shark in a creek near Jackson-
ville in 1898 or 1899. Many newspaper articles discussed the ques-
tion as to whether it was a shark or an alligator. ' Old Sea Captain,'
in a Florida paper, had the last say. His experience of many-years
taught him to know that a shark would not eat a man. Such ignor-
ance may lead many venturesome swimmers to a horrible death.

" ' In 1899 two Jacksonville pilots had a frightful experience with
sharks. The pilots were pulling ashore on the St. Johns. The sharks
plunged about and under the boat, biting and pulling at the oars,
and there was great danger of the boat being swamped or turned over.

" 'In 1896, three men swimming ashore from a filibuster were
met by a shark, which passed the first man and took the second one.
A ship's crew in the water near their vessel in the Mediterranean had
a shark come among them and take the carpenter, who was the center
man of the group.

" ' The above are only a few examples. I hardly think there is
room for doubt on the subject. ' ' '

ON THE EAST CO A SI OF FLORIDA.

23

5-

Illustration.

24 24a

Page.

54

"SQUALUS ACANTHIAS."

Weight to 30 pounds.

This fish, like the Sharks, may take your bait
while fishing for better fish, and is to be treated
the same as the Sharks. There are several species,
none of which are worthy of the angler's attention. Non-edible.

Dogfish ;
Picked Dogfish ;
Bonedog ;
Skittle-dog.

6. "PRISTIS PECTINATUS." 27 60

Sawfish, Common ; "First dorsal over ventrals ; second dorsal

Pez Sierra ; scarcely smaller than first ; no lower caudal lobe.

Pez de Espada. gaw with 24 to 32 pairs of teeth, the posterior
farther apart than the anterior. " Length, 1 to 20 feet. Weight to
800 pounds and over.

A large worthless fish. Caught with a large hook and fish bait ;
clothes line. "One in a life time," as a curiosity, will usually
satisfy the angler. Non-edible.

24 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Illustration. Pa?e.

7. "RAJA ERINACEA." 29 68

Skate- "Form rhomboid, with all the angles rounded;

Common Skate ; spines largest on the anterior extensions of the pec-
Little Skate ; torals, where they are close set, strong, laterally
Tobacco Box. compressed, and hooked backward ; smaller ones
are scattered over the head above the spiracles, above and in front of
the eyes, and on the back, the median line of which is comparatively
smooth, without larger median series, except in the young ; a tri-
angular patch on the shoulder girdle ; inner posterior angles of the
pectorals nearly smooth ; in the males near the exterior angles of the
pectorals are two rows of large erectile hooks, pointing backward.
Females with groups of small scales on each side of the vent ; teeth
small, the middle ones sharp in the males ; all blunt in the females ;
jaws much curved ; each side of tail with dermal fold ; caudal fins
rough, not separate to the base. Color light brown, with small round
spots of dark brown ; no pectoral ocelli ; females larger than the
males. Length, 1 to 2 feet." Weight to 25 pounds.

Usually caught while fishing for better fish. Non-edible.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 25

!

Illustration. Page.

8. "DASYATIS SAY." 36 86

ray; " Disk quadrangular, one-sixth wider than

Sting Ray ; long ; anterior margins nearly straight ; pos-

Southern Sting Ray ; iex\ox an(j inner borders convex ; outer and

Sting aree. . , , , , ,

posterior angles rounded ; snout not protrud-
ing beyond the lines of the margins ; ventrals rounded j tail
strong, rather more than lj4 times the length of the disk, with
a strong serrated spine, bearing a short, low, cutaneous expansion be-
hind the spine on the upper side, and a longer, little wider one below,
ending nearly opposite ; upper jaw undulated ; lower prominent in
the middle ; teeth small, smooth in young and females, sharp in
adult males ; 3 papillae at the bottom of the mouth, and 1 at
each side ; body and tail smooth. Color olive brown in adult, red-
dish or yellowish in young ; lower surface whitish. Closely resem-
bles the European species, D. pastinaca. In D. say, the anterior
margins form a more blunt angle at the end of the snout, which is
less prominent at the apex, the outer and posterior extremities of the
pectorals are rounder, the posterior margins are more convex, the
disk is broader toward the ventrals, and the tail is longer ; in D.
pastinaca, the lateral and hinder angles of the pectorals and the
lateral angle of the ventrals are marked by blunted corners ; a single

26

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

small rounded tubercle on the middle of the back." Weight to
400 pounds.

Caught same as the Skates. Get rid of him as soon as possible
by cutting the line. Be careful, as the stinger on his tail makes a
bad sore if he hits you with it. Non-edible.

M

-St*

-v-°

w

Illustration. Page.

9. "AETOBATUS NARINARI." 37 37a 88

Whip-Tailed Ray ; "Disk twice as broad as long, its anterior

Clam Cracker ; borders a little convex, posterior concave,

Spotted Sting Ray. Quter angles pointed> Cephalic fin about }§

broader than long. Teeth of the lower jaw straight or more or less

ON THE EAS7 COAST OF FLORIDA. 27

angularly bent. Tail 3 to 4 times length of disk. Brown with
small round pale spots. (Dumeril.)" Weight to 600 pounds.

Very seldom caught with rod and reel. The Rays are often
grained (speared) by the guides on Biscayne Bay. Non-edible.

Illustration. Page.

io. "LEPISOSTEUS TRISTCECHUS." 50 111

Gar (fresh water) ; " Snout usually not ^uite SO lonS aS the rest

Great Gar; of the head, its least width contained S}4 times

Manjuari ; in its length. Head 3^ in length. D. 8 ; A.

Alligator Gar ; 8 ; V. 6. Lat line 60. Scales in an oblique
series from the ventrals to middle of back 18 to
20. Color greenish, paler below, the adult usually not spotted.
Length, 8 to 10 feet." Weight to 50 pounds; average, 5 to 10
pounds.

Caught still fishing, with or without sinker, rod and reel, 4$ to
6$ hook, 18 or 21 line, live or dead Minnow, or small Bream ; or
trolling with hand line ; or with rod and reel, with Minnow, cut bait,
spoon or phantom. Non-edible.

ii. "LEPISOSTEUS PLATOSTOMUS." 49 110

Gar Weight to 25 pounds.

Short-nosed. Caught by same method and tackle as Alligator

Gar. Non-edible.

28

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

12. "GALEICHTHYS OR HEXANEMATICHTHYS FELIS."

Illustration.

53

Page.
128

Sea Catfish; "Head 3^; depth 5. D. I, 7 ; P. I, 6 ; A.

Common Sea Cat ; ig. Body rather elongate, not compressed, tap-
Florida Cat. ering into the slender tail ; head subconic, de-

pressed, flattish above ; maxillary barbel nearly as long as the head ;
gill membranes broadly united, forming a narrow, free fold across the
isthmus ; occipital process with a median keel, long, about j4
head, its tip convex ; fontanelle, forming a narrow groove ; top of
head comparatively smooth ; humeral process nearly j4 the length
of the pectoral spine ; caudal deeply forked, the upper lobe the
longer. Steel blue, sides and belly silvery, lower fins pale. Length,
24 inches. ' ' Weight to 3 pounds ; average about 1 y2 pounds.

This fish will, unfortunately for himself and for you, take any kind
of bait you are using for better fish, while still fishing in his habitat, but
will not usually take a troll. Non-edible ; generally so considered.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

29

Illustration. Page.

13. "FELICHTHYS MARINUS." 52 118

" Head rather short and broad, rounded anteriorly ;
Gaff Topsail ,

Cat occipital buckler small, oblong, not much broader be-

fore than behind ; band of palatine teeth nearly con-
tinuous, extremely variable ; maxillary barbels extending about to
the end of the pectoral spine ; pectoral spine longer than the dorsal
spine, 2/z the length of the head, its filament reaching the vent ;
dorsal filament reaching adipose fin ; upper lobe of caudal much
the longer; anal fin falcate. Dusky bluish, silvery below. Head
4#. D. I, 7; A. 23. P. I, 12; B. 6. Vert. 20 + 30." Weight
to 10 pounds ; average, 3 to 4 pounds.
Cat. Non-edible.

Caught same as Common Sea

14. "LEPTOCEPHALUS CONGER." 148 S'A

Weight 3 to 8 pounds.

The Conger Eels, Snake Eels, and Morays are all
very undesirable customers. They will occasionally take any bait

Conger Eel.

30

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

you may be fishing with for better fish south of Indian River Inlet, but
mostly among the Keys. When unfortunate enough to hook one, cut
the line a foot or so above him and let him go. Non-edible.

Snake Eel.

Illustration. Page.

15. "VERMA KENDALLI." 159 159a 375

Worm Eel.

16.

AHLIA EGMONTIS."

158 370

^■*p^T;\ ''"

.--;'
^

'

:.i

1

. .-■ •

Moray, Spotted; 17. " LYCODONTIS MORINGA." 171 395

Hamlet.

18. " LYCODONTIS FUNEBRIS." No illustration. 396

Moray Black- " Tail a little longer than head and trunk. Teeth

Morena Verde, uniserial in the jaws in the adults ; teeth on vomer
uniserial (var. ? erebus), or biserial (funebris); long,
depressible canines on front of vomer; eye 2 to 2fe in snout, above
middle of gape ; cleft of mouth 2^ in head ; head 2}£ in trunk.
Color, dark olive brown, nearly plain, paler on throat, sometimes
with very faint darker marblings ; dorsal and anal fins with dark
lines running longitudinally ; belly without black transverse lines.
Jaws not completely closing. The largest of our eels, reaching 5 or
6 feet or more ; extremely ferocious. ' '

These last four species to be treated the same as the Conger Eel.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

31

■ 't •' ' ' f

Illustration. Page.

177

409

Tarpon, or
Tarpum ;
Silver King ;
Grande Ecaille
Silver Fish ;
Sabalo ;
Savanilla ;
Savalle.

19. "TARPON ATLANTICUS."

" Head, 4 ; depth, 3| ; D. 12 ; A. 20 ; lateral
line, 42 ; branchiostegals, 23. Body elongate,
compressed, little elevated ; dorsal filament longer
than head; mouth large, the maxillary extending
beyond eye. Uniform bright silvery, the back
darker. Length 6 feet. Noted for the great size
of its scales, which are used in ornamental work.
It is not much valued for food, although much appreciated by anglers.
' An immense and active fish, preying eagerly on schools of small
fry, in pursuit of which it ascends fresh-water rivers quite a long dis-
tance.' (Stearns.) It is often dangerous to seine fishermen, leaping
over or through the nets with great force." Weight to 213 pounds.

The first Tarpon caught in Florida with Rod and Reel was taken
by Mr. Samuel H. Jones of Philadelphia, at Indian River Inlet,
Captain Gardner being his boatman. It was taken on a large Buel
Spoon, and weighed 172*4 pounds, and was 7 feet 4 inches long.
Very many more were caught there afterwards, by Senator Quay, Mr.
George of Danbury, Conn., and other sportsmen, and nearly all
were caught with a 600-feet Cod Line, used as a hand line and at night.
Afterward Charlotte Harbor on the West Coast became the principal
resort for Tarpon sportsmen, and somewhat later Fort Meyers,
eighteen miles up the Caloosa River, became the leading resort. Dur-
ing the past two or three years Boca Grand and Captiva passes (Char-
lotte Harbor) are much frequented. Mr. W. H. Wood of New York
was the leading sportsman to introduce the sport on the West Coast.
On the West Coast the fish was first caught with Rod and Reel,
18 to 21 Hall Line, Tarpon Hook, with curtain cord, hard-twisted

32 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

linen, or rawhide snoods. Bait, Mullet of ^ to y2 pound, with
head and tail cut off. Still fishing on bottom. Boat anchored, bait
cast out 50 to 100 feet, then wait, leaving the reel loose. When
the fish takes the bait allow him to run a few feet, then strike. If he
is hooked he will almost instantly jump out of water, sometimes
where you would least expect him. Recover the line, and the fun
commences. He will jump many times, then run long or short dis-
tances, with occasional less vigorous leaps, until he surrenders. The
time varies from fifteen minutes to an hour or more, according to the
size and condition of the fish, and the skill of the sportsman, or his
desire to kill the fish quickly or take his time. The method at pres-
ent with many sportsmen is to fish in the passes, on the tides, with
live floating Mullet, which is by far the most scientific method, and
gives the fish a better chance for his life. Weight to 213 pounds.
Mr. George holds the record for weight, as he caught one of the
above weight the present season (1901). Non-edible, or barely edi-
ble for 5 to 10 pound fish.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

33

-%

bonefish ;
Bony-fish ;
Ten Pounder ;
John-Mariggle ;
Big Eyed Herring
Matajuelo Real ;
Lisa Francesa.

Illustration. Page.

21. " ELOPS SAURUS." 179 411

"Head, 3% ; depth, 4. D. 15; A. 8 ; scales,
9-71-7. Upper lobe of caudal the longer. A
broad band of peculiar, elongate, membrana-
ceous scales along middle line of back ; acces-
sory ventral scale large. Brilliantly silvery ;
olivaceous above ; back and sides with faint
streaks along the rows of scales ; fins plain ;
axils dusky. Length 18 inches to 3 feet." Weight to 10 pounds;
average about 4*4 pounds.

Caught, preferably, on banks or bars where there are short weeds,
or in some cases near passes and sand bars, near shores, and in shal-
low bays. This fish runs onto the shallow water to feed, with the
tide, and off with the tide. Caught still fishing on bottom. Rod
and Reel, No. 6 or 9 Line, 3$ or 4f0 hook, strong gut leader 12 to 18
inches, No. 6, 7 or 8 Egg Sinker. He is a Mollusca and Crustacas
eater, and was first caught for sport with sand fleas and Fiddler Crabs ;
but at present the Soldier or Hermit Crab is mostly used, although the
Sand Crab, or "Sprite," is a good bait. Commence to fish with the
rise of the tide, fasten the boat with an oar pushed into the sand,
cast as far as possible, sit still, and wait for a bite. The fish can usu-
ally be seen, when present, as their tails and dorsal fins stick out of
water until the tide is too high to show. They wander over the
banks like a drove of cattle feeding, and may or may not come along
where your bait is. If they see it, some one of them will make a
rush for it, and the fun begins. They have a long majestic run ; as
they cannot go down they make it up in horizontal distance, often
200 to 300 feet from the boat. Play the fish until he surrenders,

34

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

which will be from ten to twenty minutes. He will come alongside
entirely played out, if time enough is allowed. They can also be
caught, with same tackle and bait, in the deeper water around the
banks while running on or off, and especially where the banks are
near a pass, as at Norris Cut, Bears Cut, Soldier Key, and many
places among the Keys. They have no superior as game fish.
Edible, B.

A ■■'■■

Illustration.

178

Page.

410

Lady-fish ;
Bonefish ;
Bony-fish ;
Banana-fish
Skip Jack ;
Macabi.

22. "ALBULA VULPES."
" Head, 4% ; depth, 5 to 6; eye large ; 4 to 5.
D. 20; A. 13; V. 15; B. 30; scales, 12-120-13.
Gular plate 3 to 4 times as long as broad. Length
3 feet." Weight to 10 pounds; average, 3 to 4
pounds.

Caught with Rod and Reel, still bottom or floating ;
18 Line 4<fc or 5$ hook. Trolling, Spoon, Phantom, cut bait.
Inside and outside one of the gamest fish that swims when taken with
rod and reel. When hooked they will make many rapid jumps, and
seemingly are on both sides of the boat at the same time. I have
had several land in my boat while jumping. In spring of 1900, two
such instances at Jupiter Inlet. Barely edible, C. Many fine bones.

Alewife;
Branch Herring ;
Gaspereau ;
Wall-eyed Herring
Big-eyed Herring ;
Ellwife.

23. "POMOLOBUS PSEUDOHARENGUS." 189 426

" Head, 4fi ; depth, Sy3 ; eye, Z%; D.
16 ; A. 19 ; lateral line, 50; scutes, 21 + 14.
Body rather deep and compressed, heavy
forward ; head short, nearly as deep as long,
the profile somewhat steep and slightly de-

pressed above the nostrils ; maxillary extend-
ing to posterior margin of pupil ; lower jaw somewhat projecting ;

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 35

upper jaw emarginate ; eye large, slightly longer than snout ; gill-
rakers long, 30 to 40 below the angle of the arch, shorter and
stouter than in A. sapidissima ; lower lobe of caudal the longer;
dorsal fin high, a little higher than long, its height Qj4 in length of
body. Bluish above ; sides silvery ; indistinct dark stripes along the
rows of scales ; a blackish spot behind opercle ; peritoneum pale."

A small fish or Minnow caught in cast nets, and used as bait.
Indian River.

■

« i)

Illustration. Page.

24. "ALOSA SAPIDISSIMA." 191 427

Shad; "Head, 4^; depth, 3. D. 15; A. 21;

Common Shad; lateral line, 60; ventral scutes, 21 + 16. Body

American Shad ; comparatively deep ; mouth rather large, the

North River Shad ; , . 1*1.1 c±z • * <. 1.

t, _, laws about equal, the lower fitting into a notch

Potomac Shad. j * ' fe

in the tip of the upper ; no teeth ; preorbital
moderate ; cheeks much deeper than long, the preopercle extending
little forward, joining the mandible at a point rather behind the eye ;
gill rakers extremely long and slender, much longer than eye, about
60 below the angle of the arch, the number smaller in specimens
from the Gulf of Mexico, which perhaps represent a tangible variety ;
fins small, dorsal much nearer snout than base of caudal ; perito-
neum white. Bluish above ; sides white and silvery ; a dark spot
behind opercle, and sometimes several along the line dividing the
color of the back from that of the sides; axil dusky. Length iy2
feet."

This well-known fish is caught in Florida in St. Johns River only,
and in nets. Edible, A.

36 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Illustration. Page.

25. "SARDINELLA SARDINA." 193 430

"Head, 3i ; depth, 2Va to 3; the Florida
Sardina de Ley. ' 5 ' r /+

specimens (Var. Pensacolae) averaging 23/£ ;
Cuban examples about 3; eye, 2^. D. 16; A. 17; scales, 40;
scutes, 16 + 12. Body deep, with the ventral outline forming an
even curve from chin to vent ; eye moderate, j/3 longer than snout ;
insertion of ventrals nearer tip of snout than base of caudal ; teeth
in jaws small ; a large patch on tongue ; scales very adherent, each
with 1 to 4 vertical curved strias, those before dorsal more or less
laciniate. Silvery, dark humeral spot usually present, but often ob-
scure or wanting ; surrounded by golden in life ; usually a row of
dark points extending backward from it along upper parts of body ;.
no distinct longitudinal streaks. Length, 8 inches."

Caught in cast nets and used only as bait. Especially at Key
West. Several species, but I give only one.

ON THE EAST C0AS7 OF FLORIDA.

37

26.

BREVOORTIA TYRANNUS.

Illustration. Page.

195 433

Menhaden ;
mossbunker
Bony-fish ;
Whitefish ;
Bugfish ;
Fatback ;

POGY.

"Head, 31; depth, 3. D. 19; A. 20; lateral
line, 60 to 80 ; ventral plates, 20 + 12. Head rather
short and heavy ; fins comparatively short, the height
of the dorsal less than the length of the maxillary ;
height of anal less than half the length of the maxillary ;
pectorals not reaching to ventrals ; dorsal inserted
slightly behind ventrals, about midway between snout
and base of caudal ; scales moderate, strongly serrated, arranged very
irregularly, those before dorsal strongly pectinate ; operculum strongly
striated or almost smooth (Var. Aurea); gill rakers much longer than
eye. Bluish above ; sides silvery, with a strong brassy luster ; fins
usually yellowish ; a conspicuous dark scapular blotch, behind which
are often smaller spots. Length, 18 inches."

Caught in cast nets at Mosquito Inlet, and used as bait. Very
plentiful in October and November. Several species, I give only two.

27. "BREVOORTIA TYRANNUS PATRONUS." Not illustrated. 434

Menhaden; Caught in cast net and used as bait all along

•Gulf Menhaden. the CQast>

38 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

28.

Illustration. Page.

STOLEPHORUS PERTHECATUS." 196 442

Anchovy. "Head, Bf3 j depth, 5; eye, 3^. D. 11; A. 16;

scales, 38. Body somewhat compressed, the belly not carinated nor
serrated ; eye longer than snout ; snout conical ; teeth minute, in
both jaws ; maxillary with acute tip almost reaching gill opening ;
gill rakers numerous, y$ eye ; dorsal inserted midway between
center of eye and base of caudal ; pectorals not quite reaching ven-
trals ; axillary sheaths very large, almost as long as pectoral or ventral.
Olivaceous, with a narrow silvery stripe, y^ depth of body, not half
as wide as eye. Length, 3^ inches."
Caught in cast net and used as bait.

29.

Anchovy ;
Striped Anchovy ;
Manjua.

STOLEPHORUS BROWNII." Not illustrated. 443
Caught in cast net and used as bait.

W

«k

538

30. " SYNODUS FCETENS." 236

"Head, 4^; depth, 7; eye, 5}4- D. 9 or
10; A. 11 or 12; V. 8; scales, 7-60 to 64-8
(the vertical rows counted obliquely). Snout
long, the upper jaw 1^4 in head ; scales less reg-
ularly arranged, and the rows less oblique than in
Sy nodus lucioceps ; those on the opercle in about 5 rows, on the

Lizard Fish ;
Gall 1 wasp ;
Lagarto ;
Soapfish ;
Ground Spearing.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

39

cheeks in 7 ; 25 to 30 scales along back before dorsal ; 4 in a vertical
row between adipose fin and lateral line, 5 in an oblique row ;
pectoral fin short, 2 in head, not reaching ventrals, its length 3^
that of the premaxillary ; ventral large, 1% in head, its length from
outer edge of base greater than from tip of snout to upper edge of
gill opening ; interorbital space considerably concave, with radiating
ridges. Olivaceous or sandy gray ; yellowish below ; back mottled ;
upper surface of head brownish, distinctly vermiculated with yellowish ;
ventral fins, lower side of head, and inside of mouth tinged with
yellow ; no scapular spot ; snout not black at tip ; dorsal scarcely
barred. Length 12 inches." Weight to 1 or 2 pounds; average
}( to y2 pound.

Caught : I have caught them only in Biscayne Bay while fishing
for Squirrel Fish, Sand Perch, or Goat Fish, with No. 1 or No. 2
hooks. Bait : Small cut fish, light rod and reel. They will take a
troll. Non-edible.

Needlefish ;
Houndfish ;
Agujon ;

BlLLFISH.

31. "TYLOSURUS ACUS.

Illustration. Page.

309 716

Needlefish ;
Houndfish ;
Aguja de Casta
Guardfish ;
long-jaws.

32. "TYLOSURUS RAPHIDOMA." 308 715

"D. 21 to 24; A. 22 to 24; scales, 350.
Caudal keel rather strong, black, one or more
folds of skin across edge of preopercle ; body ro-
bust, little compressed, its greatest breadth a
little more than ^ greatest depth; caudal pe-
duncle slightly depressed, a little broader than deep, with a slight
black dermal keel ; head broad, interorbital space nearly ^ length
of postorbital part of head, with a broad, shallow, nearly naked
median groove, which is wider behind and forks at the nape;
supraorbital bones with radiating stria;; jaws unusually short, stiff,
strong, rapidly tapering forward ; large teeth of jaws very strong,

40

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

knife-shaped ; upper jaw from eye about 1^ times as long as the rest
of the head; eye large, 7 in snout, 2fi in postorbital part of head,
and 14 in interorbital width; maxillary entirely covered by the pre-
orbital ; cheeks densely scaled ; opercles mostly naked except along
the anterior margin ; scales of body minute, especially above ; dorsal
fin low posteriorly, the height of its anterior lobe equaling that of
anal or length of postorbital part of head, its longest ray -| the base
of the fin, last rays of dorsal and anal much elevated in young ;
caudal lunate, its lower lobe nearly half longer than the upper ;
middle rays about as long as eye ; ventrals inserted midway between
base of caudal and middle of eye, their length a little less than that
of pectoral, and equal to postorbital part of head, insertion of anal
opposite that of dorsal. Color green, silvery below ; no lateral
stripe ; pectorals and dorsal blackish ; scales and bones green.
Length, 3 to 5 feet."

All Needlefishes are worthless, and only mentioned as a curiosity.
Very troublesome while fishing with any Crustacean or Mollusk bait
for Bonefish, as they eat your bait out of its shell, first boring into
the shell. Weight, y± pound to 10 pounds, my experience. Non-
edible.

M : -^^ <

33

EXOCCETUS VOLITANS."

Illustration. Page.

318 734

Flying Fish.

Head 4^; depth 61. D. 12; A. 11 ; scales,
55, 25 before ventrals, 30 before dorsal ; 6 rows be-
tween dorsal and lateral line. Snout rather obtuse, 4 in head ; eye

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

41

large, 2^ in head ; interorbital space slightly concave, 2^3 in
head ; width of body at base of pectorals 1 ^ in head ; anal fin long,
opposite dorsal ; second ray of pectorals divided, the first simple, the
third and fourth longest ; insertion of ventrals midway between pos-
terior edge of preopercle and base of caudal ; pectoral fins not uni-
form, in color dark brown, with an oblique, whitish band, which be-
gins in the axil and runs obliquely backward to middle of fin ; edges
of pectorals whitish ; pectoral fins li in length of body, their tips
reaching beyond dorsal ; ventrals 3^ in body, reaching about to
ninth ray of anal ; longest dorsal ray 2^ in head, anal ray 3 ; lower
lobe of caudal 3-1- in body. Ventral fins white, with a slight dusky
shade in the axil, no dark markings on dorsal or anal. Length, 12
inches."

Flying-fish,
Sharp-nosed.

34-

FODIATOR ACUTUS."

Illustration.

315

Page.

728

Flying-fishes are occasionally, and accidentally,
caught outside. Are of no value, except as curiosities.
Weight, }( pound. Non-edible.

■

-

m

/ -V*

35. "HIPPOCAMPUS HUDSONIUS."

327

777

Sea-horse,

Common American Sea-horse.

"D. 19; rings 12 + 32 to 35;
depth equal to length of head. Snout
1^ in rest of head; spines of head
weak, provided with cirri ; spines of body all short and bluntish ;
dorsal on 3*4 of the 11 rings. Dusky, without spots, but with pale
grayish blotches, which are sharply edged with paler and blackish ;

42

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

some of these between eyes and on neck, the most distinct blotch
forming an hour-glass-shaped figure, extending down each side of
the back ; similar blotches on belly and tail ; dorsal with a submar-
ginal dark band." Non-edible.

36.

HIPPOCAMPUS ZOSTERS.

Illustration. Page.

328 778

Sea-horse.

This is a small fish, resembling a horse, caught in net.
One was caught on my boat, with landing net, at Jewfish
Creek, winter of 1900. Weight, j£ pound. Of no value except as
a curiosity. Non-edible.

;.\

u

MUGIL CEPHALUS."

343

811

Mullet ;
Common Mullet
Striped Mullet
Cefalo ;
Macho ;
Machuto ;
Lisa Cabezuda.

"Head 4\ (J>yi in total with caudal) ; depth
3f (5 in total). D. IV-I, 8 ; A. Ill, 8 (very rarely
III, 7) ; scales 41-13. Body rather robust, some-
what compressed, its depth moderate ; snout rather
narrow and acutish, its upper profile little less
oblique than lower ; interorbital space slightly
convex, 2f in head ; upper lip rather thin ; space
at the chin between the mandibulary bones oblanceolate, acutish
posteriorly ; preorbital narrow, not nearly covering the maxillary ;
eyes hidden anteriorly and posteriorly by a broad adipose membrane ;
teeth close-set, rather small, but evident ; scales rather small ; about
23 large scales between origin of dorsal and tip of snout ; scales on
top of head slightly enlarged ; soft dorsal and anal with very few scales ;
first dorsal spine usually a little more than half head, its length sub-
ject to some variation ; margin of soft dorsal concave, the seventh
ray shortest, 2j4 times in length of second or longest ray; anal

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

43

similar to soft dorsal, but less concave ; pectoral reaching nearly to
front of spinous dorsal, its insertion above axis of body ; caudal
deeply forked. Color dark bluish above ; sides silvery, with con-
spicuous dark stripes along each row of scales ; pale yellowish below ;
ventrals yellowish, the other fins more or less dusky. Length, 1 to
2 feet."

'v\-

:<v

38. "MUGIL CUREMA."

Illustration. Page.

344

813

Mullet ;

White Mullet ;

Blue-back Mullet

Liza;

Lisa Blanca ;

Silver Mullet.

Mullets are used by sportsmen as bait, and
are caught by the guides with cast nets. Are
used alive and cut, according to needs. Nearly
all fish will, at times, take them. Edible, C ;
but the large Roe Mullet will rank B.

Before leaving the Mullet question I wish to
tell some stories about them, which are true, even if they are fish
stories.

I have often heard the statement that the Mullet crop in Florida
is as important to the inhabitants of the State as the corn crop is to
the inhabitants of Illinois, Iowa, and some other Western States.

The statement may not be strictly true, but the crop certainly
furnishes employment and food to a great many men and their families.
Taken in connection with "Grits," called in the North (usually)
hominy or fine hominy, they are in some cases quite a portion, and
sometimes all, of the food, in some seasons of the year, of many of
the colored population. Grits is one of the cheapest foods in the
world, very seldom reaching in Florida more than two and a half
cents per pound at retail.

44 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Capt. John calls it " Florida Food."

About the close of the season of 1896, during which I had kept
house in Augustine three months, I was down at Corbett's Dock,
where nearly all the sailboats lie. A party of five or six white and
black boatmen were talking over and lamenting the bad season, which
had been a cold one. Some of them were wondering how they would
get through the summer.

One colored man said : " Well, Ise got money enuff to buy two
barls grits, and I can ketch de Mullet wid my cast net, so I kin get
along."

He illustrated the situation with a good many colored brothers,
and probably many white men.

G. Brown Goode, in " American Fishes," 1887, says : " Although
Mullets are abundant almost everywhere, it is probable that no
stretches of sea coast in the world are so bountifully supplied with
them as those of our own Southern Atlantic and Gulf States, with
their broad margin of partially or entirely land-locked brackish water
and the numerous estuaries and broad river mouths. The Mullet is
probably the most generally popular and the most abundant fish of
our whole southern sea board.

" Like the Menhaden, it utilizes food inaccessible to other fishes,
groping in the bottom mud, which it swallows in large quantities.
Like the Menhaden, it is not only caught extensively by man, but is
the main article of food for all the larger fishes, and is the best bait
fish of the regions in which it occurs." And, "In October, Char-
lotte Harbor, Sarasota Bay, and Palmasola Bay, seem to be the head-
quarters of all the Mullets of the Gulf. Tampa Bay, Anclote River,
Homosassa River and vicinity, are also favorite spawning places.
During the fall they move in such immense schools, that the noise of
their splashing in the water resembles distant thunder ; and to persons
living near the river or bay, their noise, kept up day and night,
becoming very annoying."

I have heard and seen all the above movements of schools of
Mullet in Indian River ; many times their rushes, when pursued by
Porpoise, Sharks, and Cavalle, sounding like distant thunder or
artillery.

About November 1, 1900, while I was aboard my boat, at anchor,
opposite Mosquito Lighthouse, about the middle of the stream, just
after dark I heard a great commotion in the water; looking out I

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 45

found the river full of Mullet bound in from Mosquito Inlet, half a mile
distant. The water seemed alive with them, from shore to shore.

Capt. Gardner was ashore with his family. He got some
lanterns and placed them in his skiff, which he held to and at right
angle with the shore, thus stopping the Mullet which were running
along the shore. About seventy-five jumped in his boat. The
lighthouse keepers, by the same tactics, with two or three boats,
caught over 200.

That is a big fish story, but it is a true one.

A few days after, we started on a cruise to the south during the
forenoon, and within a mile below New Smyrna met a school which
extended from shore to shore, but not so solid. Some eight or ten
boats of fishermen were in the school, and had loaded their boats to
the gunnels by using their cast nets, and were en route for New
Smyrna to market their fish.

I have heard a story of the late Mr. John Ligget of St. Louis,
which I cannot vouch for, but presume it to be true. He was on a
cruise from Rock Ledge, I believe on the schooner "Tarpon,"
down Indian River. He had heard wonderful stories of Mullet
jumping into boats, but could not believe them. One night, under
proper conditions, his boatman took him out into four or five feet of
water and, with torches or lanterns, showed him the stories were
sometimes true, and he hollered " Enough ! "

' *-~"- — . — .-._.— - - -y$' _

Illustration. Pag-e.

39- "SPHYRANEANA BARRACUDA, OR PICUDA." 349 823

Barracuda; " Head 3 ; depth 2 in head; eye

Great Barracuda ; rather small, about 6 in head, equal to

Picuda ; width of interorbital area. D. V-I, 9 ;

Becuna : A. I, 9 ; scales 10-75 to 85-10, the cross

Salt Water Pike (G) ; serieg CQunted from ^^ yme tQ {iQnt

Salt Water Mascalonge (G). - , . . , _

ot dorsal and anal fins respectively.

Body oblong, slightly compressed, covered with large scales ; head

46 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

large ; maxillary large, nearly y2 length of head, its posterior mar-
gin reaching past front of orbit ; lower jaw with fleshy tip, bluntly
conical ; interorbital area concave, with a shallow medium groove (as
wide as pupil at posterior edge of orbit), divided by a ridge in front
and behind ; supraocular ridge bony and striate ; preocular ridge pres-
ent ; teeth large ; premaxillary teeth small, little compressed, irreg-
ularly set nearly uniform in size, somewhat thicker and shorter
posteriorly ; premaxillary with two pairs of very large compressed
teeth, their length more than half width of pupil ; anterior ones
directed downward, posterior ones downward and backward ; teeth in
lateral series of lower jaw small anteriorly, increasing gradually
backward, when they nearly equal those on palatines ; palatine teeth
similar to those on lower jaw, arranged in reversed order. Distance
from tip of snout to front of dorsal 2| in body ; second dorsal spine
longest, lyj, in snout ; second dorsal and anal equal; anal inserted
under first third of soft dorsal ; caudal forked, upper lobe the longer ;
pectorals reaching beyond front of dorsal, 2^ in head; origin of
first dorsal slightly behind the ventrals ; cheeks and opercles scaly,
about 12 rows of scales on cheeks; upper part of head with small
embedded scales. Color silvery, darker above ; sides in young with
about 10 dark blotches which break up and disappear with age ; some
inky spots, usually on posterior part of body, are very conspicuous in
both old and young specimens ; soft dorsal, anal and ventral fins
black, except on margins ; pectorals plain, except upper part of its
margin, which is black ; fins of very young specimens nearly plain.
The largest and most voracious of the Barracudas, reaching a length
of 6 feet. ' ' Weight to 75 pounds ; average, 20 pounds.

Caught from rowboat, anchored, still fishing, Tarpon rod and reel,
10$ or Tarpon hook, 21 line, wire snood Xy^ feet long. Bait : Live
Mullet, Spot, Grunt or other small fish ; no sinker. Keep the bait
floating just under or on surface. When the fish bites, let him run a
few feet and strike, and play him until he surrenders. Or, trolling
from rowboat, sailboat, or launch, with same rig as above. With rod
and reel you must slow up to play and land the fish. Or, trolling
with y^-cotton handline, squid, or large hook and live or dead small
fish. And last, and the best method of all, fish from rowboat on
bars near passes, sand banks, along shores, and in shallow small bays,
especially on west side of Biscayne Bay, in, say, three to five feet of
water ; Tarpon rig, with small brass or iron chain as leader. Bait,

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

47

half-pound Mullet or other small fish, head and tail cut off. Your
guide to pole the boat until he sees a fish lying on the bottom, or
moving slowly, he then stops and holds the boat with the pole ; you
keep your seat and cast as near the fish as possible ; he will run a short
distance, but will soon return and, usually, after eyeing the bait, will
make a rush and gobble it. The instant he takes it, strike him. If
successful in hooking him, he will make long runs, as, like the Bone-
fish under same circumstances, he has no deep water to run to. Play
him until he surrenders. He has no superior as a game fish when
thus caught ; in fact, I consider him fully equal to the Tarpon or any
game fish when caught in this way. I call this fish a salt-water Pike,
or salt-water Mascalonge. Picuda, Spanish, means Pike. Edible up
to 15 pounds. A 1, or A.

V's

40. "HOLOCENTRUS ASCENSIONIS.'

Illustration. Page.

358 848

Squirrel-fish ; "Head 3}i ; depth 3-f ; eye 24; snout 4^.

Matejuelo; d. XI, 15; A. Ill, 10;° scales 5-50 to 54-7;

Soldado; coeca 25; vertebrae 11 + 16. Mouth small, little

Welshman. ... .,. '

oblique, maxiliary scarcely reaching middle of eye ;

longest dorsal spines more than half length of head ; soft dorsal

pointed, as high as the body ; third anal spine very strong, as long as

48 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH EISH

longest anal rays, \2/z in depth of body ; upper lobe of caudal
much the longer. In life, chiefly bright red, with shining longitudi-
nal streaks along the rows of scales ; some specimens somewhat
darker, and tinged with olive above ; fins light red, the spinous dorsal
largely golden olive, its edge scarlet ; head quite red above ; an
oblique white bar descends backward from the eye ; these colors fad-
ing in spirits. This species varies much in the depth of body and
the height of the fins. Length about 2 feet." Weight to 10 pounds.
Caught: 4$ to 5$ hook, 15 to 21 line. Bait: Conch; Crawfish.
Edible, B.

Illustration. Page.

41. "DIPLECTRUM FORMOSUM." 502 1207

Squirrel-fish ; Caught same as above. A much smaller fish than

Serrano; jast name(j> Q to 10 inches long.

Caught in Biscayne Bay. }£ to 1 pound. Edi-
ble, A.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

49

42.

GYMNOSARDA

Illustrati'

ALLETERATA." 366

Page.
869

Bonito ;
Little Tunny ;
Frigate Mackerel
Oceanic Bonito ;
Blue Bonito.

" Head 3^; depth 4#. D. XV-I, 12-VIII;
A. 12- VII. Body fusiform, robust; lateral line
nowhere making a very distinct curve ; corselet
well developed, not covering the entire space be-
tween the diagonals connecting the posterior ex-
tremity of spinous dorsal and base of pectorals ; posterior margin of
preopercle about 2 in inferior margin ; pectorals reaching vertical from
ninth dorsal spine. Bluish above ; sides and belly silvery ; no stripes
of any kind below lateral line ; above lateral line several wavy, oblique
streaks ; 5 round black spots about as large as pupil below pectoral."
I have seen this fish off the pier at Lake Worth (Palm Beach), but
have never caught one.

,#*'

HHL,

*^-i,

?******<

43. "SCOMBEROMORUS MACULATUS." 368 874

Spanish Mackerel ; " Head 4j4 ) depth 4^. D. XVII-18-IX ;

SlERRA- A. II-17-IX; maxillary 14 in head ; eye 4^ ;

pectoral 1^ ; ventral 4}4 ', dorsal and anal lobes subequal 2 ; body

50 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

elongate, its dorsal and ventral outlines equal ; profile straight from
snout to dorsal ; head small and pointed ; mouth large, oblique, jaws
equal ; maxillary reaching posterior margin of orbit ; teeth large,
compressed and sharp, their formula being 24-24 to 32-32; gill rakers
2 -f- 11 j soft dorsal inserted in advance of anal a distance about
equal to diameter of eye ; lateral line undulating, with about 175
pores. Color silvery, bluish above ; sides with many elliptical spots
of dull orange color, two rows of these spots below lateral line and
one row above ; spinous dorsal white at base, black above ; soft
dorsal tinged with yellowish, its margins black ; anal white ; posterior
side of pectoral black, anterior side yellowish with black borders ;
caudal blackish." Weight to 12 pounds; average, 2 to 3 pounds.

Caught, usually, trolling with Mackerel squid, spoon, red and white
rag, or fish bait. The squid preferred. Piano wire leader eighteen
inches, hand line ; or if you are in a school outside, rod and reel trol-
ling, or floating in rowboat, or from sailboat or launch. Caught out-
side and inside at Indian River Inlet and Gilbert's Bar, mostly out-
side ; Biscayne Bay, outside, and usually fewer inside, but some
seasons good success inside. The fish change location from year to
year. See " Indian River Inlet," " Biscayne Bay," and " Miami,"
in this book. A very gamy fish on rod and reel. Edible A.

Illustration. Page.

44. "SCOMBEROMORUS CAVALLA." Not illustrated. 875

Kingfish ; " Head 5 ; depth 6 ; eye large, 2 in snout. D. XV-I,

Cavalla : 15-VIII; A. II, 15-VIII. Mouth large, maxillary reaching
Cero ; to beiow eye ■ lateral line descending abruptly below the

„ second dorsal ; teeth triangular, strongly compressed,

Pintado. ° ' . ° J I '

about 30 on each jaw ; pectoral 5 in body. Gill rakers
very short, less than jA, diameter of eye, about 8 below the
angle. Adult iron gray, nearly or quite immaculate ; young with
the sides of body marked with darker yellowish spots ; spinous dor-
sal without black blotch anteriorly." Weight up to 100 pounds;
average about 15 pounds off Lake Worth and Biscayne Bay; at Key
West, about 10 pounds.

Caught by trolling, hand line y^, Kingfish squid, with copper, or
piano wire leader, LS-in.; or rod and reel, Tarpon rig, 21 line, 10$
hook. Caught from Lake Worth to Key West, all outside. Bait :
Whole or cut Mullet or other small fish, alive or dead. Fine sport

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

51

outside with rowboat, rod and reel when sea is quiet enough to leave
the large boat. Edible. Up to 6 or 8 pounds fine flavor, but rather
tough. C. All sizes are dried at Key West for the home and Cuban
markets.

X _'

Cutlass Fish ;
Scabbard Fish
Silverfish ;
Sable ;
Savola.

Illustration. Page,

45. "TRICHIURUS LEPTURUS." 375 889

" Head about 7}4', depth about 16; eye 2 in
snout. D. 135 ; A. about 100 ; snout long and
pointed, about as long as pectoral ; maxillary reach-
ing nearly to pupil, concealed by preorbital. Uni-
form bright silvery; dorsal dark edged."
This is a rare fish. Several were brought to the Royal Palm Hotel
during winter 1901. Caught while trolling for other fish near
Fowey Rock Light off Soldier Key. Beautiful silver fish, 4 to 6 feet
long, 2 to 3 inches wide, 1 to 2 inches thick, shape of a scabbard.
Usually caught while trolling off the Keys for other fish. Non-edible ;
supposed to be.

52

WHERE, WHEN, AND II OW TO CATCH FISH

46.

Illustration. Page.

ISTIOPHORUS NIGRICANS.

376

891

Sailfish ;
Spikefish ;
BoOHOO ;
GUEBUCU ;
VOILIER ;

Aguja Voladora
Aguja Prieta ;
Spearfish ;
Bannerfish.

" Head 2^ (3# in length with caudal); depth
about 6. D. XLI-7 ; A. 9-7. Longest dorsal
spine 3^ total length of head ; ventrals If in head ;
pectorals 3f ; caudal lobes 1^$. Snout, from eye,
2^ times length rest of head ; lower jaw S}4 in
head ; front of eye nearly midway between tip of
lower jaw and edge of opercle ; interorbital space
broad, flattish, If in postorbital part of head ;
maxillary reaching to slightly beyond eye, which is 2}i in postorbital
part of head and 10 in snout; sword narrow, regularly tapering,
depressed, its upper and lower surfaces both rounded, its edges blunt
and rougher than its upper side ; for its entire length it is nearly
twice as broad as deep ; breadth of snout at the middle point between
its tip and the eye 25 times in its length from the eye. Bluish black,
paler below ; dorsal dusky bluish ; its membranes with many nearly
round black spots, from }i to j{ diameter of orbit. Length of speci-
men described (obtained by Dr. Jordan at Key West) 6 feet. ' ' Weight
to 150, or more, pounds.

Caught trolling outside with sailboat or launch, rod and reel Tar-
pon rig, or Kingfish rig. One of these fishes, and the only one I have
seen, was taken, late in March, 1901, by a party consisting of Mr.
and Mrs. Moore and Mr. Hiding of Kansas City, Mo. The party
were on a launch in charge of Charley Thompson, and were trolling
with hand line and rod and reel near Fowey Rock Light off Soldier

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 53

Key, and part of the time were fishing for these fishes, of which
there was a school running at the time. One of the Sail-fishes
jumped out of the water, some ten feet or more, almost perpendic-
ularly, and very near where Mrs. Moore was sitting in the boat.
She, almost instantly, jumped to the other side of the boat, and in a
second or two the fish made another jump coming through between
the deck stanchions, just where Mrs. Moore had been sitting, struck
the iron door of the engine casing, smashing it in, and fell on the
bottom of the boat, where he was killed with wrenches and hammers
by Mr. Thompson and the engineer. As his spear was some eighteen
inches, or more, long, Mrs. Moore had a very narrow escape. The
fish was exhibited at the Hotel Royal Palm the evening of the day
he was taken, measured 7 feet 2 inches from tip of spear to
tail ; weighed 87 pounds, and I think it was given to the hotel
to be mounted. Two or three years before the above time, Mr.
Armes, with Mr. Cameron as guide, caught one with rod and reel of
about same size and weight. I have photograph of that fish. This
fish is supposed to be non-edible, and of no value except the sport
of catching, and as a curiosity.

After writing the above account of the Sail-fish jumping into the
launch, not desiring to use the names of any parties without their
consent, I wrote to Mr. George D. Huling of Kansas City, Mo., ask-
ing if it was agreeable to himself and the other parties on the launch
to use their names, and also asking if I had given a correct account of
the adventure. I received reply from which I quote as follows, viz :
"I have seen all the people connected with that fish story, and they
are agreeable to your publication of their names. Your story is
mainly correct, with the exception that six of those fishes were jump-
ing in the air when one landed in the boat.

"The boat was a forty-foot steam launch, owned by Mr. Moore.
The parties in the boat were Mr. and Mrs. L. R. Moore, Mr. and
Mrs. W. M. Reid, Miss Reid, Miss La Forge, G. D. Huling, Charles
Thompson, captain, and one servant."

54 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Illustration. Page.

47. "TRACHINOTUS CAROLINUS." 398 944

PoMPANO . " Head 4 ; depth 2/3 to 2f. D. VII-I, 25 ;

Common Pompano ; A. II— I, 23. Body oblong, comparatively robust ;
Cobbler. greatest thickness 3 in greatest depth ; snout

from mouth to horizontal from upper edge of eye nearly vertical,
somewhat bluntly rounded ; profile from upper edge of snout to pro-
cumbent spine evenly convex ; mouth nearly horizontal, maxillary
reaching to vertical from middle of eye, its length 27/% in head
eye 4^ in head, about as long as snout ; jaws without teeth in adult
ventrals reach i distance to vent, about 2 in pectorals, 2^ in head
dorsal and anal fins falcate, anterior rays nearly reaching middle of
fins when depressed; dorsal lobe 4^ in body ; anal b*4 in length
of body. Color bluish above, silvery or slightly golden below ;
pectorals and anal light orange shaded with bluish ; caudal and upper
portion of caudal peduncle with bluish reflections. Length 18 inches."
I quote from U. S. Commission Report 1896, page 233 : " Pom-
pano are taken occasionally, weighing 20 to 27 pounds, but none
was seen during the investigation. The largest reported weighed 27
pounds. They are probably the same species of Trachinotus known
about Key West as the 'Permit,' recently decided to be a distinct
species and named ' Trachinotus goodeV by Jordan & Evermann.
They are, of course, not the ' Permit ' of Indian River, which is a small
fish. The true Pompano of Indian River does not exceed 7 or 8
pounds in weight." U. S. Commission, 1896, has plate No. 38 of
the "Common Pompano."

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

55

The market fishermen of Indian River and Lake Worth do think
the "true" or Common Pompano have been caught weighing up to
27 pounds. I have often been told of specimens weighing 20 to 25
pounds. I am quite sure the one caught by Capt. Gardner at Lake
Worth April 15, 1898, was a true Pompano, as he was compared
with several undoubted Pompanos, by Mr. Cory the taxidermist (who
had him mounted), by Mr. Allen of The Inn (now The Breakers), and
ourselves. We all thought the agreement was perfect in every respect.
In my estimate of weight of the Pompano, I will, however, be guided
by the scientific people.

Weight 8 pounds ; average about 2 pounds. Caught with rod and
reel, 6 or 9 line, No. 2f0 or 3$ hook, double gut snood 12 to 18 inches,
small egg sinker, fish on the bottom. Bait : Sand fleas, or other
Crustacea; they will not touch cut fish. Jupiter Inlet (when open),
Lake Worth Inlet, and the beach of Lake Worth the best grounds I
know of. Occasionally caught at Gilbert's Bar inside, and at Indian
River Inlet. In May and June they run to the Carolina coast. In
June of 1901, Capt. Gardner caught 25 in several throws with cast
net, at Ponce Park. Edible, A 1.

>*&

Illustration. Page.

48. "TRACHINOTUS FALCATUS." 396 941

" Head 3^ ; depth If. D. VI-I, 19 ; A.
II— I, 18. Body broadly ovate, moderately com-
pressed, profile very evenly convex from pro-
cumbent spine to level of upper edge of eye,
where it descends almost vertically ; the vertical portion is about 1 yj

Pompano ;

Round Pompano ;

Palometa ;

Indian River Permit

56 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

times the eye ; length of snout nearly equal to eye ; mouth nearly hori-
zontal ; maxillary reaching to vertical from middle of eye, its length
2^3 in head ; jaws without teeth in adult ; dorsal spines short and thick,
not connected by membrane in adult ; ventrals short, their tips scarcely
reaching halfway to anterior anal spine, 3 in head ; caudal widely
forked ; lobes about 2^ in length of body ; dorsal and anal fins
falcate ; anterior rays reaching almost to posterior end of fins ; in
adults, dorsal lobe 2fi, anal lobe A1/,, in length of body. Color
bluish above, silvery below ; lobes of dorsal black in young ; in adults
the fins are all bluish with lighter tips. The young differ from the
adult as above described in the following respects : The profile is
scarcely convex ; snout shorter and less vertical ; spines much longer
and connected by membranes ; lobes of vertical fins shorter ; dorsal
lobe with black ; fins all much darker ; jaws with bands of villiform
teeth ; eye larger. ' '

I presume the most of my readers who have visited Florida have
heard wonderful stories of Pompanos jumping into boats. I will tell
some true ones, and some others afterwards which have been told
to me.

On my first visit to Lake Worth, before the Royal Poinciana and
the railroad were built, while I was on the little steamer "Lake
Worth " en route from Dimmick's Hotel to Juno, a Pompano jumped
into the engine room of the boat.

On my cruise with Capt. Ward in 1885, while at Jupiter trolling
inside for Bluefish, etc., the Pompanos were jumping all over the
little bay, and two or three went over the small boat we were towing
behind the sailboat. I remarked to the captain: "I believe some
of those fellows will land in our boat "; and he replied, " Sure, they
often do, three jumped into boats yesterday afternoon." In a short
time, one did jump into our boat and we cooked him for dinner.

At that time there was no market fishing at all on Indian River,
and it is no exaggeration to say that at Jupiter I frequently saw fifty,
or possibly a hundred, out of the water at one time.

During the spring of 1900, while lying at same place, our mate was
in a small boat cleaning it out, when a Pompano jumped, hitting him
on the back and falling into the boat. The next morning he was
washing the deck of the yacht, when a Pompano jumped onto the
deck, the mate catching him.

One of the other stories was told by Capt. Bravo, then of the

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 57

East Coast Railway steamer "Santa Lucia," now of the steamer
"City of Key West," and probably is a "chestnut," but I have
never seen it in print, and presume it is not copyrighted.

While on the river during winter of 1895, I heard several
times that a great many Pompanos had jumped on to the "Santa
Lucia " just at the entrance to Jupiter Narrows opposite Gilbert's Bar.
I have known the place very well, as the steamers almost every trip
would ground there, from a few minutes to hours, and have a hard
time floundering around trying to get off. And I had seen many
Pompano jumping in the inside channel almost every time I was there.

I, naturally, after hearing the stories several times, began to be
suspicious that they might possibly be true, although the number had
grown from twenty or thirty on some trips, up to seventy-nine. I
concluded to ask Capt. Bravo about it. Later, I was at the Royal
Poinciana for a couple of months. At that time the bridge across
Lake Worth had not been built, so the "Santa Lucia" had been
brought down and was used as a ferry for passengers and freight from
West Palm Beach to the Royal Poinciana. As this employed but a
part of the day, the boat made excursion trips during the forenoon
and afternoon to Pitts Island, north, and Lantana, south.

A party of a dozen or so of St. Louis people, including my
daughter and myself, took the Lantana trip one afternoon. As we
were all out in front on the cabin deck, and Capt. Bravo among us,
I thought it a good time to ask him as to the truth of the Jupiter
Narrows Pompano stories, which I did, in the presence of our party
and other passengers. The captain immediately replied that the
stories were true, and said : "You will believe anything Mr. Flagler
will say, won't you?" We all replied, "Yes, of course we will."
Then he went on as follows : "Uncle Henry was on the boat a while
ago, and as we approached Gilbert's Bar from the north asked if these
stories about Pompano were true, and I told him I would convince
him. Night was coming on, so I had our large ice box, with some
ice in it, placed right in the gangway aft, right near the opening, and
just before we got to the Narrows put a lantern on each end of the
box. We got into the Narrows just about dark, and the Pompanos
began to jump into the box onto the ice, and never stopped until
they filled it heaping full. We did not get aground that night, as we
usually did. Now, if you don't believe me, ask Uncle Henry." I
will leave the story with the reader, simply saying that, as far as I

58 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

know, none of the party ever asked Uncle Henry to corroborate the
story. I had slight doubts, however, about the not-grounding part
of the story, as I had been over the route many times.

After writing Capt. Bravo's Pompano story I wrote him asking
permission to publish the same, and received reply from which I will
quote. The captain, in his modest way, is rather inclined to give
Mr. Flagler the full credit for telling that Pompano story, but says he
will vouch for it, and then goes on as follows, viz : " When I first came
to Indian River the people there told me fish were so plenty that they
need do no fishing at all ; all they had to do was to put a lantern in
the boat and anchor it out ; go to it in the morning and it would
have all the fish in it they wanted.

" I worked for Mr. Flagler as captain on one of his steamers on
Indian River for two years. During that time I fed the officers and
crew of said steamer, and got so much per day for doing so. Now,
if I got my fish for nothing it would be quite a saving to me, because
everybody wanted Pompano, and Pompano was a high-priced fish.
So when I got below Eden I called all the crew on and ran the
steamer across the shoal, when the Pampanos, being frightened,
started to jump onto the steamer. I have caught as many as eighty
going across one shoal.

" Now, I believe any fish story anybody tells me after living on
Indian River five years ; but one day I had a passenger from the
Columbia River, Oregon. I was showing him the great quantities of
fish we had in Indian River, and told him some pretty strong stories
that had been told to me. It did not seem to surprise him at all,
like it did most tenderfeet, so he says to me, ' on the Columbia
River, where I come from, we have salmon. I have looked at a
school coming down the river, acres of them, and that is the greatest
sight in the world. Sometimes, he said, one of them would jump
out and when he fell back there would be no place for him but to fall
on top of the school and die there.' I believe his story, though it is
a hard one. I could continue telling some incidents in the fish line
indefinitely, but I will close."

The captain said nothing in his letter about his statement, in his
first Pompano story, that the "Santa Lucia" did not get aground
that night. I may swallow his fish stories, but when he tells me he
navigated the "Santa Lucia" into Jupiter Narrows without getting
aground, I have, at least, faint doubts. I will say, however, that a fish

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 59

book, or any other book, treating of the East Coast of Florida, which
does not reckon with Capt. S. A. Bravo is not of much account.
Another story is that a Northern gentleman, who spent his winters
at Eden, or Jensen, I forget which, had heard these Pompano stories,
and thought he would try an experiment ; which he did by building
a small fire right near the water, at night, then taking a fry pan, with
a piece of pork in it, and holding it over the fire. In a short time a
couple of Pompanos jumped into the pan, where he fried them. Now,
I do not believe this last story ; but I do believe that in Yellowstone
Lake, in Yellowstone Park, Trout are caught and without taking
them off the hook are swung around into a boiling spring, where they
are boiled to a turn. I have not seen that done, but have been there
and have seen places on the lake where it can be done, and am sure
it is done in a small stream near the Mammoth Spring Hotel.

49. "TRACHINOTUS FALCATUS."

(Repetition.)

Round Pompano ; \ (J. & E., U. S. Commission, 1895,

Palometa; page 348 ^ (Evermann & Bean, report

Permit of Indian River ; TT 0 ^ . . 1on(l ooa

to U. S. Commission, 1896, pages 230,

Permit. r °

235, 243), and Plate 39.

This fish is usually called " Indian River, "or " Small " Permit.

" The ' Permit ' of Indian River is Trachinotus falcatus, a differ-
ent species. ' '

Report of H. M. Smith, B. W. Evermann, John N. Cobb, and
W. C. Kendall, printed in U. S. Commission, 1896, page 285.
Weight to 10 pounds. Edible, C. Occasionally and accidentally
caught while fishing for Pompano or other fish.

Illustration. Page-

50. "TRACHINOTUS GOODEI." Not illustrated. 943

Permit; "Head 3; depth 2f. D. VI-I, 19; A. II— I,

Palometa ; 1 7_ Body oblong, elliptical, moderately compressed ;

Great Pompano. profiie nearly straight from procumbent spine to
nostril, where it descends nearly vertically, forming an angle ; verti-
cal portion from angle to snout nearly equaling eye ; snout obliquely
truncated ; maxillary reaching slightly behind vertical from middle
of eye, its length 2f in head ; jaws with bands of villiform teeth
(these disappearing with age); ventrals reaching i distance to

60 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

vent ; their length 2 in head ; tips of pectorals reaching slightly
past tips of ventrals ; dorsal and anal fins falcate, their anterior soft
rays less elevated than in Trachinotus fatcatus, but extending beyond
middle of fins when depressed, their length in the young 4 in length
of body ; caudal forked, lobes about 3 in body ; lateral line nearly
straight, slightly curved upward above the pectorals. Color bluish
silvery above, silvery below ; dorsal, caudal and anal lobes black ; no
cross bars. Length 3 feet."

"Permit or Pompano. This large Pompano, which attains the
weight of 25 pounds, is not uncommon along the Keys." (Report of
Hugh M. Smith, U. S. Commission, 1895, page 174.)

" Key West Permit, or Permit of Key West, Trachinotus goodei."
(Evermann & Bean, report toU. S. Commission, 1896, pages 230, 243. )

"Permit, Trachinotus goodei, J. & E. This species is not very
common about Key West. It reaches a weight of 40 pounds, the
average being about 8 pounds. It is taken in winter by hook and
line and seine."

This fish is often called " Key West Permit," or " Large Permit."
Weight to 40 pounds ; average, 25 pounds. All I have seen were
caught near Fowey Rock Light, trolling from naphtha launch. Quite
a number of them were brought to Hotel Royal Palm, 1901. Edi-
ble. Barely edible, C.

'■■/-■ .

Illustration. Page.

51. "SERIOLA LALANDI." 382 903

AmberJack; " Head 3% to 4^; depth 3^ to 3%. D.I,

Great Amber-fish ; 34 • A. I, 27 ; dorsal lobes 2^ in head ; max-
Coronado. niary 2i, Body slender; dorsal fin dusky,

with a light-yellow submarginal band ; pectorals dusky yellowish ;

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 61

ventrals yellow and blackish ; anal blackish, with pale edge. Young
and old specimens have essentially the same general form, being in
all stages more slender than Seriola dumerili. A food-fish of some
importance, reaching a weight of 100 pounds and a length of 5 or 6
feet." Weight to 100 pounds ; average 25 pounds.

Caught still fishing, rowboat anchored, without sinker, Tarpon rod
and reel, 10$ or Tarpon hook, No. 21 line, with wire snood l1/,
feet long, Live Spot, Grunt, Mullet or other y^ to x/2 pound
fish. Keep the bait on or near the surface. When the fish bites,
let him run ten or fifteen feet, then strike, and play the fish until he
surrenders. Or trolling from rowboat, sailboat or launch, with rod
and reel, same rig as above, or with hand line T3^- cotton line and
squid, a live, or long cut dead fish. These fish are also grained
by some of the guides of Biscayne Bay, and " Conchs " of the
Keys.

On quiet days outside Biscayne Bay, around Fowey Rock Light,
leave the large boat in rowboat, and fish with rod and reel as above.
A very game fish. Barely edible, C.

During March, 1897, while I was at the Royal Poinciana, I strolled
down to the pier just after an early breakfast. As I passed through
the gate, the gate-keeper said to me, " There is a fine school of Mul-
lets about 200 feet from the shore on the south side of the pier." I
went out to look at them, and there they were about 75 feet from
the pier, a round school of at least 100 feet diameter and quite solid,
with Barracoudas and Amber Jacks surrounding and making dashes
among them.

I went over for Capt. Gardner, who was on the " Hillsboro "
in the lake. We picked up rods and went back to the pier. The
instant John saw the school he said, "Those are not Mullet, they are
Bluefish "; and, sure enough, they were, and on their migration north,
the pier evidently having stopped them. John said, " Now is your
chance, put on a piece of Mullet, cast into the school, a Bluefish is
sure to take it, haul him out of the school, leave him there, and a
Barracouda or Jack is sure to take him." I followed instructions, and
it turned out just as John said, as I hooked an Amber Jack of fifty
pounds or so, but at that stage the business had only commenced, as
the Amber Jack had something to say (or do) about it. He charged
around, taking and giving line for a few minutes, and then made a
straight bolt for the spiles under us, ran around one of them, the bar-

62 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

nacles on the spile cut my line, and there I was minus fifty feet, or so,
of line. I repeated the above process four or five times with the
same precise result in each case, and had less than 100 feet of line
left out of 600. John, of course, in each case, would criticise my
method of handling the fishes, saying in some cases, "You ought to
have played him longer "; then, in the next case, he would say, "You
did not bring that fish in quick enough ; you gave him too much line,"
etc., etc. The onlooker always indulges in that kind of talk. I
told John to just try it himself, which he did with another rod and
600 feet of line, and he came out of the fight just as I had, with
about 100 feet of line. Of course, I got in my critical work on him.
Revenge is sweet.

A day or two afterwards we had the same kind of a school of Blue-
fish at the Inlet, a little inside ; followed the same tactics, and I hooked
the " largest " Amber Jack I ever saw, played him half an hour, the
hook wore a hole in his jaw and dropped out ten feet from the skiff.
I said nothing, of course.

Illustration. Page.

52. "ELAGATIS BIPINNULATUS." Not illustrated. 906

Runners ;

Yellow-tail Runner ;
Coginera.

S3. "TRACHUROPS CRUMENOPHTHALMUS."

385 911

Goggle-eye Runner ;
Goggler ;
Big-eyed Scad ;
Goggle-eye Jack ;
Chicarro ;
Horse-eye Jack.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

63

/ •

.

•

k

V:/

51-

Illustration.

388

Page.

921

Hard Tail Runner
Runner ;
Jurel ;

Yellow Mackerel ;
Crevalle ;
Running Jack ;
Dollar-fish ;
Tide Runner ;
Blue Runner.

D. VIII-I, 24; A.
(scutes). Body

'CARANX CRYSOS."
"Head 33^ ; depth 3^
II— I, 19; lateral line 50
oblong, moderately elevated, the dorsal and
ventral outlines about equally arched ; profile
forming a uniform curve ; snout rather sharp ;
mouth slightly oblique, a little below axis of
body ; maxillary reaching about to middle of
orbit ; teeth comparatively large, a single series
in lower jaw ; upper jaw with an inner series of smaller teeth ; no
canines ; teeth on vomer, palatines, and tongue ; eye rather small,
shorter than snout, 3^ in head; gill rakers long and numerous;
pectoral as long as head, barely reaching anal ; rarely longer than
head in certain specimens from Key West, possibly referable to C.
caballus ; scales moderate ; cheeks and breast scaly ; lateral line with
a weak arch anteriorly, which is about half length of straight portion ;
lateral scutes numerous, developed on whole straight part of lateral
line. Greenish olive, golden yellow or silvery below ; a black blotch
on opercle ; fins all pale. Length 1 foot or more."

The above Runners are all classed under the " family Pampano,"
by Jordan & Evermann, among the Pompanos, Crevalles, Permits
and Jacks. They all resemble the Cavalla, Bluefish, and Pompanos.
Weight to 5 pounds; average, 1^4 pounds.

Caught trolling outside and inside ; Mackerel squid, spoon, red and
white rag, or cut bait ; and still fishing, bottom, or floating ; usual
tackle for the average weight fishes among the Keys. Usually caught
while fishing for other fishes. Edible, C. Somewhat better than Cavalla.

64 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

While on the subject of Runners I will make a few feeble remarks.
It seems to me the Runners are hybrids from the Crevalle and Bluefish
species or families, as they certainly resemble both of those fishes.

At first glance when I have caught one he always looks like a
Bluefish, but after examination resembles the Crevalle, and for this
reason is called a "Jack" by the people where he is caught.
I believe that every time I have visited the Keys I have caught one
or more varieties which were new to me.

Jordan & Evermann, in Bulletin 47, 1900, give eighteen species;
Jordan & Gilbert, Bulletin 16, 1883, give none under the name
" Runners," but put in seven under their heading of " Crevalles." As
the family seems to be increasing in variety they must propagate their
own species and also must intermix with other fishes, notably with the
Bluefish, Crevalle, and Pompano, from whom they probably sprang.

The Catfishes, Sharks, Carps, Suckers, Groupers, Parrot fishes, etc.,
etc., are largely increased.

I know there were formerly people who denied the Darwinian
theory of the origin, differentation, and evolution of species, using as
their argument the statement that hybrids do not propagate their own
species, and stood pat on our humble and hard-working friend, the
mule, as the only instance they could cite in support of their conten-
tion. They were undoubtedly correct in that one citation ; but if
any people of that way of thinking are left in the country, I would
advise them to visit the Keys of Florida and study the fishes a little,
and they will be convinced the fishes violate their rules and explode
their theory. Another thought occurs to me, which is that the ichthy-
ologists are to have a hard time in keeping up with the fishes. Jor-
dan & Gilbert (1883) classified 1,340 species, and Jordan & Ever-
mann (1900) classified 3,263 species, thus showing an increase of
1,923 species during seventeen years.

This large increase of about 150 per cent, is partly due, of course,
to a closer investigation, and addition of some territory not investi-
gated by J. & G., but a larger proportion is probably due to finer
lines of distinction having been drawn by J. & E. Where the first
party has described and classified, say, ten, more or less, in a family,
it seems as though the latter has, with the same fishes, doubled or
trebled the number, by finer distinctions.

Still, after all the above is admitted and accepted as true, there
has undoubtedly been a large actual increase in species.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 65

If the scientific people continue to prepare new classifications
every seventeen years, continuing their exceedingly fine lines of dis-
tinction, and do not do something to check the hybridizing of the
fishes, the Greek, Latin, and all the modern European languages will
not contain names enough to furnish many succeeding classifications.

W. C. Harris, in his finely illustrated (in colors) "Fishes of
North America," says: "Nearly 6,000 varietal forms of fishes are
either native or transient visitors to American waters."

The above shows the formidable condition of affairs the future
ichthyologists have to face.

On the above subject I will quote from Encyclopaedia Britannica,
article Ichthyology, Vol. XII., page 664, Scribner edition, 1881 :

" Hybridism is another source of changes and variations within
the limits of a species, and is by no means so rare as has been hith-
erto believed ; it is apparently of exceptional occurrence, merely be-
cause the life of fishes is more withdrawn from our direct observation
than that of terrestrial animals. It has been observed among species
of serraranus, pleuronestae, cyprinidae, clupedas, and especially sal-
monidae. As with other animals, the more certain kinds of fishes are
brought under domestication, the more readily do they interbreed
with other allied species. It is characteristic of hybrids that their
characters are very variable, the degree of affinity to the one or the
other parent being inconstant ; and as these hybrids are known
readily to breed with either of the parent race, the variations of form,
structure, and color are infinite." The contributor of above article
is Albert C. L. G. Gunther, M. D., Ph. D., F. R. S., keeper of the
Zoological Department British Museum.

66 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

v:

"

y

55-

CARANX HIPPOS."

Illustration. Page.

387 920

Cavalle ;

Crevalle ;

Toro;

Horse Crevalle

Jack;

JlGUAGUA ;

Cavally.

" Head 3}4 ; depth 2% ; lateral line (scutes)
about 30. D. VIII-I, 20 ; A. II— I, 17. Bod)
oblong, the anterior profile very strongly arched.
Head large and deep. Mouth large, low ; lower
jaw prominent ; maxillary extending to nearly op-
posite posterior border of eye, 2yi in head.
Teeth in upper jaw in a broad villiform band ; an
outer series of large, wide-set conical teeth ; teeth of lower jaw in
one row, a distinct canine on each side of symphysis ; villiform teeth
on vomer, palatines, pterygoids, and tongue. Lateral line with a wide
arch, its length \yj, in straight part, the angle under fifth dorsal ray ;
plates not covering all of straight part. Dorsal spines short, rather
stout ; gill rakers stout, rather long, 15 below angle. Occipital
keel sharp. Eye not very large. Pectoral falcate, i longer than
head. Breast naked with only a small triangular patch of scales in
front of ventrals. Caudal lobes equal, nearly as long as head. Oli-
vaceous above ; sides and below golden ; a large distinct black
blotch on opercle, bordered behind with pale ; a large faint black
spot on lower rays of pectorals, the latter sometimes wanting in
young ; axil of pectoral with a black blotch ; edge of soft dorsal
black ; upper edge of caudal peduncle dusky. ' ' Weight to 20
pounds ; average, 5 pounds.

Caught : Rod and reel, 18 or 21 line, 6$ hook, still fishing
bottom, or floating. Bait : Live or cut fish ; Crab, Crawfish, Conch,
or in fact most any bait. Trolling with any artificial, live or cut bait.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

67

He is a game fish and gives fine sport. Edible, C. Is barely an edi-
ble fish, but some folks like him.

:•> %

&'

Illustration. Page.

56. "SELENE VOMER." 393 936

"Head 3 ; long dorsal rays 2 ; pectoral
; 2j{ ; long anal rays 223 ; depth 1^, the
young much deeper. D.VII-I, 23 ; A. II— I,
18. Anterior profile from tip of snout to
occiput almost perfectly straight in the adult.
Diameter of eye, length of opercle, and dis-
tance from eye to profile about equal ; eye 2
in maxillary, 2^ in preorbital ; mandibles very deep, the dentary

moonfish ;

Blunt-nosed Shiner ;
Jorobado ;
horsefish ;
Look Down ;
Old Man of the Sea
Silver Moonfish ;
horsehead.

68 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

bones thin, approximate; one or two of the dorsal spines greatly
elongate and filamentous in the young, short in the adult ; ventrals
variable in length, usually about as long as the eye in the adult,
variously elongate in partly grown specimens. Color uniform silvery,
in the adult. Our observations of this species tend to confirm the
correctness of Dr. Lutken's views (Spolia Atlantica, 139) as to
the transformations incident to its growth." Weight, 30 to 40 pounds.
I have known them caught only in trolling with launch near
Towey Rock Light off Soldier Key. Heavy tackle. Barely edible,
C. I rank him with the Cavalla.

Illustration. Page.

57. "CARANX BARTHOLOM^EI." No illustration. 919

Yellow Jack ; This is one of the Jacks of the Pompano family,

Cibi Amarillo. with the Amber Jacks, etc. Weight to 50 pounds.
Caught outside trolling, same method and tackle as Kingfish and Amber
Jack. Edible, C. Barely edible, small sizes.

HlffT

58. "POM ATOM US SALTATRIX." 400 946

Bluefish. "Head 3/3; depth 4. D.VIII-I, 25 ; A. II— I,

Snap Mackerel; 26; scales 95. Body robust, moderately com-
Skip Jack ; pressed ; belly compressed to a bluntish edge.

Fat-back. Head deep ; top of head and a ridge on each side

above the cheeks naked. Cheeks much longer than opercles. Pec-
torals placed rather low, their length a little more than half that of
head. Coloration bluish or greenish above, silvery below ; a black-
ish blotch at base of pectoral. Length 3 feet." Weight to 16^
pounds.

• >

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

69

I saw one of that weight caught at Jupiter Inlet, and I caught one
weighing 12^ pounds. Average about 3 pounds.

Caught : Still fishing on bottom, and with floating bait. Rod and
reel, 18 line, 6$ hook, with piano wire 12-inch leader, float, if de-
sired. Bait : Menhaden, Anchovy, Sardine or other live Minnows, or
cut bait. Trolling outside and inside, rod and reel or hand line,
medium size block tin squid, bone squid, red and white rag on 10$
hook, or cutbait ; always piano wire leader. Edible, A, if cooked
few hours after caught.

,

<**

SS£^

jfc>5

V

X'Y

59-

Illustration. Page.

401 948

RACHYCENTRON CANADUS."

"Headl^; depth 5^3. D. VIII-I, 26; A.
II, 25. Head much depressed ; mouth moderate,
the short maxillary reaching front of orbit. Pector-
als broad and falcate ; caudal deeply emarginate, the
upper lobe slightly the longer. Lateral line wavy
and irregular, descending posteriorly. Olive brown,
sides with a distinct broad band of darker, and a less

distinct band above and below it ; silvery below. Length 5 feet. ' '

Weight to 20 pounds.

Caught : Still fishing, any bait, 15, 18 line, 5$ hook ; or trolling,

any bait, spoon, phantom. Barely edible, C.

Sergeant Fish ;
Crab Eater ;
Bonito ;
Snook ;
Cobia ;

BrochetdeMer
Rovalia ;
Robalo.

70

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

//////ft

'.,

"% mm®

~S

.^."■^"V

60. "CH^NOBRYTTUS GULOSUS."

Illustration. Page.

421 992

Warmouth ;
Goggle-eye.

" Head 2}£ to 22/3 ; depth 2 to 2}4 ', eye 4 to 4^.
D. X, 9 or 10 ; A. Ill, 8 or 9 ; scales 6-40 to 46-11 or
12 ; 37 to 42 pores ; 6 to 8 rows on cheek. Body heavy, deep, more
elongate than in Lepomis ; head large ; snout about equal to eye ;
mouth large, maxillary reaching posterior border of eye ; opercular
spot about as large as eye. Dorsal spines low, longest reaching to
middle of pupil from tip of snout ; pectoral not reaching origin of
anal fin ; ventrals nearly reaching anus, ventral spine about 2 in dis-
tance between origin of ventral and anus. Gill rakers 8 or 9 besides
rudiments. Dark olive-green, clouded with darker, usually with red
or blue, and brassy ; a dusky spot on each scale more or less distinct ;
vertical fins mottled with dusky ; a faint spot on last rays of dorsal,
bordered by paler ; 3 oblique dusky or reddish bars radiating from
eye ; belly yellowish or brassy. Length 8 to 10 inches."

Fresh-water fish. Caught : Same hook, line and bait as Large-
Mouth Bass. Edible, C.

ON THE EAST COAST OE FLORIDA.

71

\y

^

^.

61. "LEPOMIS PALLIDUS."

Illustration. Page.

427 1005

SUNFISH ;
Blue Bream ;
Blue Sunfish ;
Copper-nosed Bream
dollardee ;
Blue-gill ;
Roach Bream.

"Head 3 (2^ to ?>%) ; depth 2 (If to
2%); eye 3^ to 4 in head. D. X, 11 or 12 ;
A. Ill, 10 to 12 ; scales 7-43 to 52-16 ; 40 to
50 pores ; 5 rows of scales on cheek. Body
comparatively short and deep, compressed ;
the young slender, the adult nearly orbicular.
Caudal peduncle rather slender. Head not
large, the projecting snout usually forming an angle above eye. Mouth
quite small, oblique, the jaws about equal, the maxillary barely
reaching the front of the eye. Opercular flap very short in the young;
in the adult rather long and wide, without pale edge. Gill rakers
moderately long, nearly terete, bent slightly downward, about X-f-11
to 13. Dorsal spines strong and high, the longest about half head,
usually longer than snout and eye ; ventral fins reaching anal ;
pectorals very long, usually longer than head, reaching past base of
anal spines. Olive green ; adults dark ; young more or less silvery,
with a purple luster in life ; sides with undulating, often chain-like,
transverse greenish bars, which become obsolete in the adult ; no
blue stripes on cheeks ; a diffuse black blotch at base of posterior

72

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

rays of dorsal and anal, often obscure in young ; no red on fins ;
very old specimens often with the belly coppery red. Length, 12
inches." Weight average ^ to ^ pound.

Small fresh-water fish. Caught : Light rod and reel, silk line.
Bait : Worms, grasshoppers, or worm out of top of rushes or saw
grass. Edible, B.

Sunfish ;

Common Sunfish ;
Bream ;
Pumpkin Seed ;

Sunny.

62. " EUPOMOTIS GIBBOSUS."

Caught same as above.

Illustration. Page.

429 1009

63.

MICROPTERUS SALMOIDES."

431

1012

" Head 3 to Zyi ; depth 3 to 3^ ;
eye 1^ to 2 in snout, 5 to 6 in head.
D. X, 12 or 13 ; A. Ill, 10 or 11 ; scales
7-65 to 70-18 ; pores 58 to 67. Body
ovate-fusiform, becoming deeper with
age, moderately compressed. Head large.
Mouth very wide, the maxillary in the adult reaching beyond the eye,
in the young shorter. Scales on the cheek in about 10 rows ; scales
on the trunk comparatively large ; tip of maxillary in adult as broad
as eye. Lingual teeth sometimes present. Gill rakers longer than gill

Black Bass, Large-Mouth

Oswego Bass ;

Green Bass ;

Bayou Bass ;

Otsego Bass ;

Swamp Bass.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 73

fringes, X -f- 7 or 8, besides rudiments. Dorsal fin very deeply
notched, its fifth spine 3% in head. Coloration dark green above ;
sides and below greenish silvery ; young with a blackish stripe along
the sides from opercle to the middle of the caudal fin ; three dark
oblique stripes across the cheeks and opercles ; below and above the
lateral band some dark spots ; caudal fin pale at base, then blackish,
whitish at tip ; belly white. As the fish grows older the black lateral
band breaks up and grows fainter, and the color becomes more and
more of a uniform pale dull green, the back being darker, a dark
opercular blotch usually present. Length 18 inches or more."

This name corrupted in the South to "Trout." Weight in the
North to 8 pounds, in Florida to 17 pounds. Caught : In fresh-water
rivers and creeks. Rod and reel, No. 6 or a smaller silk line, No.
4$ hook, gut snood, or without snood. Bait : Live Minnow, or
small Bream, or cut bait. Small worms can be found in the decayed
stems of the flags or saw grass, with which small Bream can be taken
with Minnow hooks. Troll with spoon, phantom or bait. They will
also take the fly. Red Ibis, Montreal, Parmachene Belle, Seth Green
and Brown Hackle are good as any. Edible, C.

While on the " Micropterus Salmoides " subject I wish to make a
confession, which may read like a too late repentance for past errors
or iniquities.

" Befo de wah," and for several years after, very many St. Louis
families spent their summers at the lake resorts of Minnesota and
Wisconsin, Lake Minnetonka and White Bear Lake in the former State,
and the Oconomowoc lakes and Green Lake in the latter, being quite
prominent fishing and family resorts, as they are at the present day.

My first visit to White Bear Lake was in 1857, and I spent the
summer of 1861, and part of 1862 and 1863, there.

I was at Lake Minnetonka through the summers of 1865 and 1866,
at which time the only route to the lakes was from Minneapolis by
private conveyance, or stage three times a week to Excelsior, the only
place of resort on the lakes, and only one small hotel, or boarding
house, there. As there were only one or two small farms on the two
lakes, called Upper and Lower Minnetonka, and possibly 100 resi-
dents in Excelsior, with the Bass, Pickerel, Rock Bass, Crappies,
Sunfish, and Perch plenty in the lakes, it can be readily seen the visit-
ing anglers had fine sport.

74 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

During the first season I contented myself with catching the fish
I needed for my family or that could be used by the hotel ; but, as
time wore on, fishermen came along who, in their rivalry and banter
with each other, brought in large lots.

I saw over 500 Black Bass and Pickerel buried on the shore near
the hotel many days in succession. Finally, once in 1865 and once
in 1866, I went out to see what I could do, and brought in 120 each
day. I counted only the Black Bass and Pickerel, all others having
been returned to the water.

All of the fishes of the lakes were of fine edible quality, as the
water was clear, clean, and cold. I preferred the Sunfish, as they
were of the large Blue Gill variety and would average three-fourths of
a pound.

White Bear, War Eagle, and Birch lakes, from 1857 until 1862,
were nearly as good as the Minnetonkas.

I first visited Green Lake, Wisconsin, in 1870, and spent many
seasons there, sometimes remaining as late as November, the best Bass
fishing being during the month of October. There nearly all are the
Small-Mouth species, while at the Minnesota lakes nearly all are the
Large Mouth. The catches, however, are much smaller, twenty-five
to the boat in the best of seasons being a full average.

From 1882 until 1889, I camped from two to four months each
year on the lines of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway,
and on those of the Northwestern Railway, in northern Wisconsin
and the Northern Peninsula of Michigan, after Brook Trout, Large
and Small-Mouth Bass, Pickerel and Mascalonge.

My best ground for Bass was Lake Gogebig, which I visited the
first year the road was finished to that point. There I saw hundreds
of Small-Mouth Bass brought and buried day after day, but I never
indulged in any great number. As I was in camp where I could get
Brook Trout to eat, I caught very few Bass.

On one occasion while camped with two friends on the east branch
of the Ontanogan River, at that time almost a virgin Trout stream, we
concluded we would try Duck Lake, which was the principal source
of supply of water to the stream we were on. I had camped on the
lake the year before and knew it well. We went up to Watersmeet,
taking along three Bond iron sectional boats and a fifty-four pound
Rushton cedar, and put them on the train at 7 A. M., having four
guides with us. We ran six miles on the train, carried the boats

>.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

75

three-fourths of a mile into the lake, fished about three hours, landed
and cooked our dinner, and were back at Watersmeet about 6 o'clock
P. M. with 215 as fine Large-Mouth Black Bass as I ever saw.

Duck Lake is of the Lake Superior waters, and is very clear and
cold. There was use for the fish, as we gave them to the hotel and
railway men ; so this can hardly be called a " Fish Hog " story. I
promised to never do it again, and have kept my word.

64.

Illustration.

EPINEPHELUS ADSCENSIONIS." 482

Page.
1152

Groupers ;
Rock Hind ;
Cabra Mora ;
Polka Dot.

■< 4

//>-

"^U...,

65. "EPINEPHELUS DRUMMOND-HAYI.

Grouper ;
Speckled Hind ;
John Paw ;
Polka Dot.

484

1159

66. "EPINEPHELUS MACULOSUS.'

Grouper ;
Cabrilla ;
Red Hind.

No illustration. 1158

76

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

<

Illustration. Page.

67. "EPINEPHELUS MORIO."

485

1160

Grouper ;
Red Grouper ;
Cherna Americana
Cherna de Vivero
Negre.

"Head 2^; depth 2i ; eye large, 5 in
head (young). D. XI, 16-17 ; A. Ill, 9, rarely
III, 8 ; scales 18 or 20-130 to 140-60 ; pores
60 to 65. Body comparatively deep and com-
pressed, highest under front of spinous dorsal,
its greatest width 2^ in greatest depth. Head large, moderately
pointed, the anterior profile rather steep and nearly straight. Mouth
rather large, the maxillary reaching slightly beyond eye, its length
2^ in head. Lower jaw not strongly projecting. Teeth moderate, in
rather narrow bands ; 2 moderate canines in the front of each jaw,
the lower smaller. Interorbital space narrow, its width I1/, in head,
the outline of the bone (under the flesh) transversely concave. Nos-
trils small, round, subequal. Preopercle moderately seriate, its angle
slightly salient ; teeth at the angle a little enlarged. Gill rakers
rather slender, about 15 below the angle. Scales small, mostly
ctenoid. Dorsal spines high, slender but pungent, the first less than
half the second, which is highest 2yj in head; the outline of the fin
thence almost straight to the tenth spine, which is 1 3/£ in the second ;
soft dorsal not elevated ; caudal fin lunate, the outer rays a little pro-
duced, Xyi in the head ; caudal peduncle comparatively slender ; soft
part of anal rounded, its longest ray 2^ in head ; second anal spine
somewhat stronger but not longer than third, 4,1 in head. Pectorals
reaching slightly beyond tips of ventrals, li in head ; ventrals short,
not reaching vent. Pyloric coeca 25 (according to Poey). Color in

<

pi

w

5

p-

H

O

X

o

Dd

U5

O

<

C/5

Ph

en

«

<

Z

^i

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 77

life : Olive gray or olive brown, clouded with paler olive, with no
clear red shades except on jaws and lower part of sides of head and
breast, these regions being usually a salmon color ; besides these, very
irregular rounded blotches of grayish white over the body ; preorbital,
suborbital region, and snout with numerous round points of dark
orange brown, most numerous on preorbital, these points brown in
spirits ; inside of mouth posteriorly bright orange ; iris gilt ; vertical
fins colored like the body, the shades from the body extending on
them ; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal with a broad ridge of blue black,
with a narrow whitish edge ; spinous dorsal narrowly edged with
blackish ; ventrals slightly dusky ; pectorals light olive. With age this
species becomes more and more of a flesh red, especially below and
on mouth, the pale spots and blotches are less distinct in old
examples. Length, 1 to 3 feet."

Illustration. Page.

68. "EPINEPHELUS STRIATUS." 483 1157

Grouper; "Head 2-i ; depth 2f ; eye rather large, 5^

Nassau Grouper ; in head (young). D. XI, 17; A. Ill, 8; scales

Hamlet; 13 to 18_i10 to 125-45 to 55; pores 55 to 65.

Cherna Criolla ; „ , . , . ,

Body rather deep, not strongly compressed, its

greatest width 2-f in depth. Head somewhat
pointed, the anterior profile nearly straight to the front of the dorsal.
Mouth moderate, the lower jaw little projecting, the maxillary reach-
ing posterior border of eye, 2}i in head. Teeth in moderate bands ;
2 moderate canines in front of each jaw, the lower smallest. Nostrils
close together, the posterior a little the larger, ovate. Interorbital
space narrow, flattish, or somewhat concave, 8^ in head. Angle of
preopercle slightly salient, a shallow notch above it, the teeth at the
angle somewhat larger. Gill rakers slender, about 16 below the angle.
Scales moderate, strongly ctenoid. Dorsal spines of moderate strength,
higher than in most species, the second much higher than tenth, the
third highest, 2^ in head; soft dorsal rather high ; caudal rounded,
14 in head ; soft anal rounded, the largest ray 2^ in head; second
anal spine stronger than third and about as long, 4 in head ; pecto-
rals reaching tips of ventrals, 1|- in head. Ventrals short, barely
reaching vent. Color in life : Rather pale olivaceous gray, paler
below, and with obscure whitish clouds along sides ; body with about
4 vertical bars, very irregular and undulating, of an olive-brown

78 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

color, darker on the back, and all extending on the dorsal fin ; a
square blotch of jet black on back of tail ; a band of dark olive
through eye and on snout, meeting its fellow on shoulder just before
dorsal ; another on median line of snout, forking opposite front of
eye, the 2 bands extending backward parallel and ceasing abruptly on
occiput without reaching the other band ; dark shades radiating from
eye below ; a ring of deep brown or blackish points around eye, the
upper ones on eye, a deep orange-red stripe on lower edge of preor-
bital ; mouth within partly orange ; lower parts of head and breast
tinged with orange and with coppery cloudings ; vertical fins colored
like the parts of the body nearest them ; edge of both dorsals yel-
low ; caudal and anal tipped with orange yellow ; ventrals blackish ;
faintly yellowish at tips ; pectorals chiefly light orange, dusky at
base ; bands and dark markings of body becoming fainter in old
examples of this species, and almost disappearing in alcoholic
specimens."

Illustration. Paee.

69. " MYCTEROPERCA VENENOSA." 491 1172
Grouper ;
Rockfish ;
Yellow-finned Grouper ;

BONACI DE PlEDRA ;

Dolly Varden.

70. "MYCTEROPERCA BOULENGERI." 490 1171
Grouper ;

Cabrilla de Raizero ;
Mangrove Grouper.

Grouper ;

Black Grouper ;
Bonaci Arara ;
Aguaji.

\>c

71. "MYCTEROPERCA BONACI." 492 1174

Skull illustrated.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

72. " MYCTEROPERCA

Illustration.

MICROLEPIS." 494

79

Page.

1177

Grouper
Gag ;
Aguaji.

73- "MYCTEROPERCA FALCATA PHENAX."

494 1185
Grouper ; The Groupers run in weight from less than a pound to

Scamp ; 50 or 60 pounds ; so it is difficult to advise as to tackle,

Bacalao. which will be all the way from No. 9 line to 21, and the
hooks from 2f0 to 10$. Sportsmen will have to be governed by the
fish where they are fishing.

As to bait : The Groupers will take cut fish, Crawfish, Conch,
Crabs of all kinds, and will take a squid, spoon or phantom, trolling.
For the largest ones on the " patches ' ' and under the mangroves, hand
lines must be used. They are caught in large numbers, and large
sizes, on the "patches" off the shores all the way from Indian
River to Key West. The large ones are very gamy, but the small ones
are somewhat sluggish. I will treat them further in detail in giving
the places to fish at. This applies to all the Groupers mentioned
herein. Edible up to 10 pounds, B. Very good bakers and boilers.

-a*T>v.

JEWFISH ;
Black Jewfish ;
Black Grouper ;
Mero de lo Alto.

smaller with age.

74. "GARRUPA NIGRITA."

486

1161

" Head 2}4 ; depth 2*/3 ; eye very small, 6 to 8
in head. D. XI, 14 (nigrita), or X, 14 (merus);
A. Ill, 9 ; scales 90 to 110. Body very robust;
teeth in broad bands, canines strong, but growing
Interorbital width 4}i in head ; lower jaw project-

80 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

ing ; maxillary scaly, about 2 in head, extending beyond eye ; pre-
opercle rounded, without salient angle, the young with enlarged teeth
at the angle. Gill rakers short and thick, X -f 12 to 14, the longest not
twice as long as broad. Dorsal fin notched ; second dorsal spine long-
est, its length 2 to 3 times in head, and half longer than third spine ;
caudal fin rounded ; second anal spine shorter than third, 6 in head.
Scales ciliated, those of lateral line of the ordinary type. Color, plain
chocolate brown, varying to blackish gray, without markings, or with
faint pale blotches, the lower parts scarcely paler, the distal part of
the vertical fins darker; a dark streak along edge of maxillary."

,.. _ >> ~v'

Illustration. Page.

487
75. "PROMICROPS GUTTATUS." 487a 1162

487b

Jewfish ; ' ' Head 2f to 3 ; depth 3^ ; eye very small,

Guasa; 7 in head (in young), about 12 in adult. D. XI,

Spotted Jewfish ; 1 6 . A ni> g . scales 16_95 to 135.40 ; pores 60

to 70. Body more robust than in any species of
Epinephelus, its greatest breadth \-/z in the depth. Head very large,
unusually broad, anteriorly obtuse, its profile depressed or slightly
concave above the eye, convex at the nape. Snout very short, 4^ in
head ; lower jaw projecting. Maxillary scaly. Mouth large, the max-
illary, even in the young, reaching much beyond the eye, 2 in head,
its tip in the adult as wide as eye. Teeth in broad bands, those of the
outer series somewhat enlarged, the canines very small, scarcely dif-
ferentiated, but present. Interorbital area flattish, very broad, its
width 5 in head. Nostrils subequal, roundish, close to the eye. Pre-
opercle convex, with a slight emargination, the angle a little promi-

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 81

nent, with somewhat larger teeth. Opercular flap obtusely pointed,
its upper edge curved. Opercular spines small and blunt. Gill rakers
short and thick, few (about 12) in number. Scales comparatively
large, mostly ctenoid. Scales of the lateral line each with 4 to 6 con-
spicuous radiating ridges separated by furrows. Dorsal spines low and
strong, the third, fourth, and fifth subequal, 4 in head, the outline of
the fin scarcely convex ; second spine lower than tenth ; caudal fin
rounded, its outer rays very much shortened, little more than half
the length of the middle rays, which are 1^ in head. Anal rounded,
its longest rays 2^ in head ; second anal spine rather shorter than
third and a little stronger, 4f in head; pectorals reaching a little
beyond tips of ventrals, 1 2/3 in head ; ventrals 2, not reaching vent.
Pyloric coeca excessively numerous and finely divided. Color of
adult nearly uniform dull olive brown, the spots and bands faint or
obsolete. Young specimens in life pale olive green, slightly yellowish
on breast and lower jaw, the body with 5 cross bars of dark olive
green, with irregular but rather sharply defined edges, and extending
on the dorsal and anal fin ; 2 under spinous dorsal, 2 between soft
dorsal and anal, 1 on caudal peduncle ; these bars partially or wholly
disappear in spirits ; a dark blotch at nape ; two shades down and
backward from eye ; a bar at base of caudal ; round blackish spots
smaller than pupil, of different sizes, scattered over the whole of head
and nuchal region ; a few along back ; these smallest on upper part
of head, largest on back and lower parts of sides of head ; breast and
belly plain ; dorsal fin olive, with dark clouds like the body, a few
spots on spines and tips of soft rays ; caudal much clouded with
dark, which form series of spots on the hinder parts, these spots
smallest and best defined posteriorly. Anal similar to caudal ; pecto-
rals light olive, profusely covered with large dark spots ; ventrals simi-
lar to pectorals, with fewer spots. Tips of pectorals and caudal slightly
reddish. In spirits the dark bands and blotches of body are more or
less faded. Length, 2 to 6 feet."

The Jewfish is of the Grouper family. Weight to 500 pounds ;
average usually caught by sportsmen 1 to 10 pounds. Caught : Usual
small sizes, rod and reel, hand line, same as Groupers, while
fishing under mangroves for Snappers and Groupers. If large ones are
wanted, -f\ hand line, shark hook. Bait : Fish *4 to 1 pound. Fish
where you have ascertained them to be, in channels, under man-
groves, and around docks and piers, and on "patches." Edible, B,

82 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

up to 5 or 6 pounds ; very fair boilers, bakers, chowder, etc.
Large ones worthless.

Illustration. Paere.

76. "DIPLECTRUM FORMOSUM." 502 1207

Squirrel-fish ; « Head 3 ; depth 3f ; D. X, 12 ; A. Ill, 7 ; scales

Serrano ; 9_80 to 90_22 . pores 54 to 60. Body elongate, the

profile strongly arched above eyes ; mouth large,
lower jaw slightly projecting ; maxillary narrow, reaching middle of
eye, 2i in head ; canine teeth small ; eye placed high, shorter than
snout, about 5 in head ; preorbital broad, more than twice the width
of maxillary ; upper part of margin of preopercle finely serrate ;
preopercle with two clusters of divergent spines, the one at the angle,
the other higher (the two fascicles well separated in the adult, but
smaller and coalescent in the young); distance from opercular flap to
upper end of preopercle 1 y2 in rest of head ; opercular flap short and
sharp ; gill rakers moderate, X 4- 14 or 15 ; top of head and preorbi-
tal region naked ; smooth area on top of cranium very convex ; 11
rows of scales on cheeks ; fins, except caudal, scaleless ; 15 scales
before dorsal ; dorsal spines low and slender, the first three gradu-
ated, the rest subequal ; caudal deeply lunate, the upper lobe the
longer, sometimes ending in a long filament ; anal spines very weak,
the third longest, 1)4 in eye; pectoral 1^ in head. Color brown-
ish, silvery below ; sides with 7 or 8 longitudinal blue lines, bright
blue above, pearly whitish below, and about as many dark cross bars,
the last bar forming a large black blotch at upper base of caudal ; 6
of these present, with another at base of dorsal ; a broken median
stripe before dorsal ; stripes on head bright blue ; spinous dorsal with
2 stripes of light blue, bordered with darker, and 3 of light orange
yellow ; 3 blue stripes and 4 yellow ones on soft dorsal ; caudal with
light-blue reticulations around light-orange spots ; ventrals and anal
bluish white, shaded with light yellowish ; pectoral transparent ; pos-
terior part of mouth tinged with yellow ; young with two broad,
dusky longitudinal stripes, which become interrupted with age ; 3 or
4 distinct blue stripes on sides and top of head ; 2 across preorbital,
the lower forked ; fins with narrow, wavy bars of blue and pale
yellow."

"Sand Perch," local name Biscayne Bay. "Goat Fish," local
name West Coast. Weight up to ^ to ^ pound ; average less than

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 83

y^ pound. I have caught them only in Biscayne Bay, on East Coast,
inside near the passes, grass or sand bottom, 4 to 10 feet water,
still, bottom fishing, or floating. Light tackle, rod and reel, 6, 9,
line, No. 1, 2, hooks. Bait : Cut Mullet, or other fish, Crawfish,
Conch. Edible, B, almost A. Fine pan fish.

"*^:H ..

.•-"' ■'#

Illustration. Page.

77. "PARANTHIAS FURCIFER." 504 1221

Rabikubia; "Head 3^ ; depth 3; snout about 4 in

Rabirubiade lo Alto; head . eye about 4 D IXj 18 to 20; A.
Creole Fish. m^ 9 Qr 1Q . sades 12_120 to 135-35 ; pores

77 to 85. Body moderately elongate, strongly compressed ; the
profile convex and the snout short, as in Anthias ; maxillary reaching
to below middle of eye, 2f in head ; maxillary broadened posteriorly,
its surface scaled, as in Anthias, its distal extremity ^ to f in eye ;
teeth small, recurved, in a narrow band in each jaw, 2 to 4 straight
canines near the front of each jaw ; preorbital very narrow ; pre-
opercle finely serrate, with salient angle or enlarged teeth ; gill rakers
long, slender, and close-set, 12 -+- 20 in number, the longest ^ eye ;
scales small, closely and regularly imbricated, most of them strongly
ctenoid ; dorsal fin low, the spines strong, the third longest, 2l/$ in
head ; soft rays of dorsal low, scarcely higher than longest spine ;
anal short, its longest (second) soft ray 2 in head, its third spine
longest, 2^3 in head ; ventrals narrow, 1^ in head, not reaching
vent ; pectorals lanceolate, as long as head ; humeral scale long.
Color bright red, or salmon color, with 3 small violet spots, 1 on
side of back and 1 or 2 on the tail ; a bar of similar color extending
from upper corner of pectoral across the humeral process ; sides with

84

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

faint oblique streaks along the rows of scales ; dorsal fin with a longi-
tudinal blackish streak." Weight, average ^ pound.

Caught : No. 6 and 9 line, No. 10 hook. Still fishing. Ed-
ible, A.

Illustration. Page.

78. "RABIRUBIA."

There is a fish caught at Ponce Park called by this name, which
is of the Snapper species. It has all the especial features of the Snap-
pers, and only varies in being brighter red than the Mangrove Snapper.

A.

■

. .«;.! :.-.«; !•».■■< ,'4\"' ■.■:■■ <■■..-, ..

-.;; ;• «--„.

Triple-tail
Flasher ;

DORMEUR ;

Chopa ;
Chofa ;
Stake-fish.

79-

LOBOTES SURINAMENSIS."

510

1235

"Head 3; depth 14 to 2%. D. XII, 15; A. Ill,
11 ; scales 47. Head small. Profile from dorsal to
occiput strongly convex, from occiput to snout con-
cave ; maxillary reaching beyond middle of orbit.
Scales around eye very small, those on opercle large.
Eye small, much shorter than snout. Preopercular
strongly dentate ; teeth enlarged on angle, hooked upward on pos-
terior limb. Pectorals shorter than ventrals, which do not reach
vent ; soft dorsal higher than the spinous portion. Small scales run-
ning up on the base of soft dorsal, anal and caudal. Blackish above,
becoming silvery gray on the sides ; often blotched and tinged with

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 85

yellow ; fins dusky gray ; sometimes with yellow. A large fish of
rather sluggish habits, reaching a length of 3 feet. ' ' Weight to 30
pounds ; average about 6 pounds.

Caught : Rod and reel, or hand line, 18-21 line, 4^-6$ hook.
Still fishing, bottom and floating, around docks, bridges, beacon
stakes, spiles, etc. Bait : Shrimps, Prawns and Crustaceans generally,
cut Mullet and other fish. Edible, A 1. One of the very best
edible fish up to 10 pounds.

Illustration. Page.

8o. "NEOMjENIS GRISEUS." 1255

No illustration. 1256
Snappers; "Head 2V+ ; depth 2^ to Z%. D. X, 14 ;

Gray Snapper; A. Ill, 8; scales (6) 7-50-12; 47 pores. Body

Mangrove Snapper ; comparatively elongate, the back not strongly
compressed, little elevated ; profile almost straight
from snout to nape, thence gently convex. Snout
rather pointed, 3 in head. Eye rather small, 4^5 in head. Interorbi-
tal space gently convex, 6 in head ; occipital keel little prominent ;
preorbital rather broad, byi to 6j4 in head. Mouth large ; jaws sub-
equal ; maxillary reaching front of pupil, 2f in head ; upper jaw with
a narrow band of villiform teeth, outside of which is a single series
of enlarged teeth ; 4 canines in front of upper jaw, 2 of them quite
large, y§ diameter of eye ; lower jaw with a very narrow band of
villiform teeth in front of jaw only ; outside of these a single row of
teeth larger than outer teeth of upper jaw, becoming canine-like in
adult ; tongue with an oval patch of teeth, its width about j4 its
length ; vomer with an arrow-shaped patch of teeth, with backward
prolongation on the median line, its length about twice its width in
front. Gill rakers rather short and thick, their length about yi diam-
eter of eye, about 8 on lower arch, with no rudimentary ones before
them. Preopercle with its posterior margin nearly vertical, with a
rather broad and deep emargination. Preopercle finely serrate above,
the teeth coarser at the angle. Scales comparatively large, the rows
in horizontal series below the lateral line, those above running par-
allel with the lateral line until below the soft dorsal, where they
become slightly irregular and oblique ; 7 rows of scales on cheek ; an
embedded row on interopercle ; one row on subopercle and 7 on
opercle ; temporal region with about 3 rows of large scales ; top

86 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

of head, snout and jaws naked ; base of soft dorsal and anal scaly ;
tubes of lateral line branched. Dorsal spines rather strong, the out-
line of the fin gently convex, the fourth spine longest, 2j^ in head ;
the tenth spine 4 in head ; margin of soft dorsal rounded, the ninth
and tenth rays longest, 1^3 length of first, and 1-| last ray, 2^ in
head; caudal emarginate, the upper lobe longest, lj4 length of
middle rays, which are 1 ^ in head ; anal fin high, its margin
slightly angulate, the middle rays longest, 2 times length of last
ray, 2^ in head, first ray reaching almost to tip of last ray, when
the fin is depressed ; second anal spine as long or slightly longer
and stronger than third, S}( to 4 in head; ventrals 1^ in head;
pectorals shortish, scarcely reaching vent, li in head. Color in
life, very dark green above, the middle part of each scale brassy-
black, its edge broadly pearly whitish ; below lateral line the
duskiness of the middle of the scale passes into brassy, and below
into bright coppery, the belly and lower parts of head being more or
less distinctly bright coppery-red ; the lower jaw grayish ; no blue
stripe below eye, except in the very young ; top of head blackish-
olive; dorsal blackish, its margin darker and tinged with maroon-red;
soft dorsal dusky, anteriorly slightly edged with whitish ; caudal vio-
laceous or maroon black ; anal wine-color, edged with whitish ; pec-
torals pale flesh-color ; ventrals whitish, faintly marked with reddish.
Young with a blackish band from snout through eye to nape, very
distinct in life ; a blue streak below eye ; spinous dorsal with a dark
maroon-colored band along edge. Described from a specimen from
Key West, 11 inches in length. Fishes from deep water are much
redder than those taken near the shore. In no case is the caudal
yellowish or of any pale shade."

J. & E. group this fish with the Mangrove Snapper. U. S. Com-
mission, 1896, classifies each separate. They are very closely allied,
but there are small differences in color and shape. Their habitat and
habits are exactly the same. Weight to 14 pounds ; average, 3 pounds.
Caught : Rod and reel, still fishing, bottom, No. 15-18 line, No.
4$, 5$, 6$, hooks. Occasionally one will take a troll. Bait : Craw-
fish, Mullet or other fish, Conch. Edible, A 1. A very game fish,
and my favorite to eat of all fishes.

J, «

►H <

° 5

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 87

Illustration. Pa^e.

81. "MANGROVE SNAPPER."

In nearly all respects same as Gray Snapper, but there are
slight differences. Caught same as Gray.

During March, 1897, while at Lake Worth, Capt. Gardner and I
tested the Mangrove Snapper fishing off the end of the pier quite
thoroughly. The water there is very clear, so that you can see the
bottom twenty feet down ; consequently, all the fishes are exceptionally
wary and shy, and, in the case of the Snapper, I would say cunning.

We cut Mullets into pieces from an inch to two inches long,
throwing it down to the Snappers, of whom there were probably a
dozen in sight, some of them " whoppers " of ten or twelve pounds.
They at first sailed around the bait, apparently studying the situa-
tion, and, finally, some would take it. We kept this up for fifteen or
twenty minutes, by which time fifty or more had collected, eating the
bait well. Then we put the same bait on as small a line as we dared
to, No. 9, 4c/o hook, and dropped that down while they were busy
eating our chum, and " nary one " touched it.

We tried that several times, always with the same result during
the day. Just before dark we could sometimes get one or two, but
never a large one, about five pounds being the largest we ever
caught there.

While at Indian Key, in 1892, I asked the headkeeper of Alli-
gator Light if there were any Mangrove Snappers around the light.
He replied yes, but they were hard to catch, that they gathered under
the lighthouse to eat the table refuse thrown down, but if you
dropped a baited hook down, they would look up at you, wink their
eyes at you and sail away. I presume this was, in the main, true ;
but in 1900 Professor Walker and I did well there, some ten or fifteen
feet distant from the column of the light. It was quite rough that
day, which may have been in our favor.

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

S0

.. i-"

82.

NEOM^NIS APODUS."

Illustration. Page.

515 1258

Snapper ; " Head 2% ; depth 2%. D. X, 14 ; A. Ill, 8 ;

Schoolmaster; scales (5) 6-42 to 45-13 ; 36 pores in lateral line.
JI- Body comparatively deep, moderately compressed,

the back considerably elevated ; profile almost straight from snout to
nape, the nuchal region rather convex ; snout unusually long and
pointed, its outline before eye a little depressed, its length 2-f- in
head ; eye moderate, 4*/3 in head ; interorbital space flattish or gently
convex, 5}4 in head; mouth large, maxillary reaching front of orbit,
2f in head ; upper jaw with a narrow band of villiform teeth, outside
of which is a single "series of larger teeth ; 4 canines in front of
upper jaw ; 1 of them on each side very large, almost as long as
pupil ; lower jaw with a narrow villiform band in front only, and an
enlarged series outside, these largest on side of jaw, where some of
them are somewhat canine-like ; tongue with a single large oval patch
of teeth, its length more than twice its width ; teeth on vomer form-
ing an arrow-shaped patch with backward prolongation on median
line, the length of which is twice the width of the arrow-patch in
front. Gill rakers rather short and thick, the longest about y$
diameter of eye about 9 on lower part of arch. Preopercle with its
posterior margin directed somewhat obliquely forward, usually very
weakly emarginate, finely serrate above, almost entire at the angle.
Scales large, decidedly larger than in N. jocu ; the series below the

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 89

lateral line almost horizontal, those above in rows parallel with the
lateral line, these becoming more or less irregular posteriorly and ex-
tending upward and backward below soft dorsal ; about 7 rows of
scales on the cheeks, 1 row on interopercle, 1 on subopercle, and 7
on opercle ; temporal region with a few large scales in about 2 rows ;
base of soft dorsal and anal scaly ; tubes of lateral line each with
4 or 5 branches. Dorsal spines strong, the outline of the fin not
greatly convex, the fourth spine longest, 2^3 in head, the tenth spine
4 in head ; margin of soft dorsal well rounded, the middle rays
longest ; twice length of last, 2^ in head ; caudal not deeply forked,
the upper lobe longest, 1 ^ length of middle rays, which are 2 in
head ; margin of anal well rounded, its middle rays twice length of
last 24 in head, the first ray reaching about to middle of last when
the fin is depressed ; anal spines strong, the second larger than third,
2>y$ in head ; ventrals 2 in head ; pectorals reaching to front ot
anal, lyi in head. Color of young in life greenish, with about 8
very narrow vertical paler bars on body ; scales of lower part of sides
with central orange spots, forming faint streaks along the rows of
scales ; belly pearly ; head greenish ; a blackish streak from snout
through eye to nape ; a narrow, sharply-defined blue stripe below
eye from snout to angle of opercle ; no lateral spot ; spinous dorsal
edged with orange ; ventrals, anal, and caudal pale orange-yellow ;
pectorals paler. The adult examples differ from the young in the
vertical bars being fainter or obsolete, and in the absence, usually,
of the blue stripe below eye and the dark stripe on. temporal region ;
the soft dorsal, anal, and caudal are always yellow, of varying inten-
sity, and the edge of the spinous dorsal is orange, not dusky ; the
whitish area below the eye, very constant in JV. jocu, is wanting in
N. apodus."

This fish is usually called simply "Schoolmaster" by the resi-
dents of Biscayne Bay and the Keys. Weight to 3 pounds ; average,
1 to \y2 pounds. Caught: Rod and reel, still fishing, bottom, No.
9-12 line, 2<f0, Z% hooks. Bait : Crawfish best. Edible, A.

90

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

«<f^:"

-■'' «$'

^^

S3-

Snapper ;
Red Snapper ;
Pargo Colorado ;
Pargo Guachinango
Acara Aya.

"NEOM^ENIS AYA."
"Head 2f ; depth 2f.

Illustration.

516

Page.

1264

D. X, 14 ; A. Ill,
9; scales (7) 8-60-15; pores 46. Body
rather deep, moderately compressed, the back
well elevated, profile steep, and almost straight
from snout to nape. Snout rather pointed, 2-f
in head ; eye moderate, 5^ in head (larger in young). Interorbital
space angulate or strongly convex, 5 in head. Occipital keel rather
strong ; preorbital rather broad, 5 in head \ mouth rather large,
maxillary reaching front of orbit, 2^ in head ; upper jaw with a
narrow band of villiform teeth, outside of which is a row of larger
but comparatively small teeth ; 4 canines in front, 2 (sometimes
duplicate) of them larger, their length about y$ diameter of eye ;
lower jaw with a single row of rather small teeth, usually largest on
side of jaw, where some of them are almost canine-like ; within these
is a very narrow band of villiform teeth in front of jaw only ; tongue
with a broad oval patch of teeth, scarcely twice as broad as long ;
in front of this patch is a small irregular patch ; vomer with a broadly
arrow-shaped patch, with a rather short backward prolongation on
median line, its length about equaling width of patch in front. Gill
rakers moderate, their length about j4, diameter of eye, 8 on lower
arch. Preopercle with its posterior margin about vertical, its emar-
gination deep, its edge rather finely serrate above, coarser at the angle,
dentate on the lower border. Scales rather large, the rows horizontal

ft

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 91

below lateral line, the rows above running backward and upward ;
6 rows of scales on cheek, 1 on the interopercle, 1 on subopercle,
and 7 on opercle ; bases of soft dorsal and anal scaly ; pores of lateral
line branched ; temporal region with a broad band of scales, with a
few scattering ones below it ; top of head, snout, and jaws naked.
Dorsal spines rather strong, the outline of the fin moderately convex,
the fourth and fifth spines longest, 24 in head, the tenth spine about 4
in head ; margin of soft dorsal nearly straight, the fin pointed behind ;
the middle rays little longer than first ray, I1/, length of last, 3 in
head ; caudal lunate, the upper lobe scarcely longer than lower, its
length 14 times length of middle rays, which are 1-^ in head ; margin
of anal strongly angulate, the middle rays reaching nearly to base of
caudal, 2^ length of last ray, 14 in head ; the first ray reaches about
to middle of last ray when the fin is depressed ; anal spines strong,
the second scarcely as long as third, 4 in head ; ventrals 14 in head ;
pectorals reaching to front of anal fin, 14 in head. Color in life,
deep rose-red, paler on throat ; bluish streaks along rows of scales,
above becoming fainter and disappearing with age ; fins brick-red ;
dorsal bordered with orange, with a narrow, blackish edge ; caudal
narrowly edged with blackish ; eye red ; a large blackish blotch above
lateral line and below front rays of soft dorsal in young specimens,
this spot disappearing with age ; axil of pectoral dusky. Length, 2
to iiy2 feet." Weight, 1 pound to 30 pounds.

Caught on reefs ten miles or more from shore. Rod and reel or
hand line, heavy tackle. Not exactly a sport fish. Edible, A 1.

I do not know of a well authenticated specimen of this fish hav-
ing been caught in any of the inside waters, or within five miles of
the shore of the East Coast of Florida. The Mutton -fish and the
Hog-fish are sometimes supposed to be the Red Snappers, but they
are not similar.

92

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

C&

4

:

i

-

Snapper ;
Mutton-fish ;
Pargo ;
Pargo Criollo

Illustration. Page.

84. "NEOM^ENIS ANALIS." 517 1265

" Head 2fi \ depth 2^. D. X, 14 ; A. Ill, 8 ;
scales (7) 10-67-17; pores 51. Body rather deep
and compressed, the back rather strongly elevated,
profile steep and nearly straight from snout to nape ;
snout rather long and pointed, 2f in head ; eye rather small, 5-f in
head in specimens a foot in length ; interorbital space gently convex,
5f in head ; occipital keel moderate ; preorbital very broad, its least
width 4 in head ; mouth moderate ; maxillary scarcely reaching front
of orbit, 24 in head ; upper jaw with a narrow band of villiform
teeth, outside of which is a single series of larger but small teeth ; 6
rather strong canines in front, 4 of them larger, about equaling in
length y2 diameter of pupil ; lower jaw with a narrow villiform band
in front only and a series of larger teeth outside ; these unequal,
largest on side of jaw, some of them almost canine-like ; tongue with
a single very small patch of teeth on its middle, this wanting in
young examples ; teeth on vomer forming a broadly A-shaped patch,
without backward prolongation on median line. Gill rakers moderate,
Y? length of diameter of eye, about 8 on lower arch, with no rudi-
ments before them. Preopercle with its posterior margin almost
straight, slanting gently downward and forward, the notch broad and
very shallow ; edge of preopercle rather coarsely serrate, most so at
the angle ; scales small, the rows almost horizontal below the lateral
line, running backward and upward above ; tubes of lateral line
branched \ about 7 rows of scales on the cheeks ; 1 row on interop-

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 93

ercle, 1 on subopercle, and about 9 on opercle ; temporal region with
about 8 rows of scales, which become smaller posteriorly ; bases of
soft dorsal and anal scaly. Dorsal spines weak and slender, the outline
of the fin not greatly curved, the fourth spine longest, 273 in head,
the tenth spine 3/3 in head ; margin of soft dorsal angulate, the
ninth ray longest, twice last and \y2 times first ray, 2 in head; cau-
dal well forked, upper lobe the longer, If length of middle rays,
which are about "2\ in head ; anal regular, similar to soft dorsal, the
middle rays more ^elevated than in any other species, longest 2^
length of last, 2 in head ; first ray nearly reaching tip of last when
the fin is depressed ; the second and third anal spines rather strong,
of equal length, 3^ in head ; ventrals If in head ; pectorals reach-
ing slightly past origin of anal, 1T3^ in head. Color in life, dark olive-
green above, many of the scales with pale-blue spots, these forming
irregular oblique streaks upward and backward ; similar stripes more
regular and numerous on caudal peduncle and above anal. In old fishes
these blue spots and streaks disappear ; belly white, strongly tinged
with brick-red ; about 6 narrow, dusky, vertical bars, a little broader
than the interspaces and not well denned, between gill opening and
anal ; head bronze-olive, darker above ; a broad, undulating, pearly
streak from snout below eye to upper edge of gill opening ; a narrow
blue streak from eye to nostrils ; iris fiery red ; pectorals, caudal,
anal and ventrals brick-red, the caudal narrowly margined with black
and little bronzed above ; dorsal reddish along the rays and tips of
membranes, otherwise yellowish ; distinct lateral blotch just above
the lateral line and below the first soft ray on dorsal, about as large
as pupil, smaller than in other species similarly marked, and seldom
disappearing with age ; axil and bar across base of pectoral above,
pale or dusky olive. In spirits the markings become fainter, the lat-
eral blotch and the bluish streaks on head usually persisting."
Weight to 12 pounds ; average, 5 pounds.

Usually called simply "Mutton-fish." Caught in the channels
and cuts of Biscayne Bay, and on the ' ' patches, ' ' to Key West, with
rod and reel, line 18-21, hooks 5-6$. Same bait as used there for
other fish. Edible, B.

94 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Illustration. Page.

85. "NEOMiENIS SYNAGRIS." No illustration. 1270

Snapper; " Head 2f > dePth 2f- D- X, 12; A. Ill,

Lane Snapper; 8 ; scales (7) 8-60-15; 50 pores. Body oblong,

Biajaiba ; compressed, the back moderately elevated, pro-

Red-tail Snapper. ^je aimost straight from snout to nape ; snout
rather pointed, 3 in head ; eye moderate, 5 in head ; interorbital
space gently convex, 5^ in head ; occipital keel little prominent;
preorbital rather broad, 4^ in head ; maxillary reaching front of
orbit, 2?/| in head ; upper jaw with a narrow band of villiform teeth,
outside of which is a single series of enlarged teeth ; 4 rather small
canines in front, 2 of them larger ; lower jaw with villiform band in
front only, the single row of larger teeth nearly equal in size, none
of them canines ; tongue with a single oval patch, its length more
than twice its width ; vomer with a /\ or /^-shaped patch of teeth,
without backward prolongation on median line, or with only a very
slight one. Gill rakers rather long, their length slightly more than y2
diameter of eye, about 5 + 9, and no rudiments before them. Pre-
opercle with its posterior margin slanting downward and forward, the
emargination broad and moderately deep ; preopercle rather finely
serrate above, with coarser teeth at the angle. Scales rather small, the
rows almost horizontal below the lateral line, above somewhat undu-
late, running upward and backward ; tubes of lateral line simple ; 6
rows of scales on the cheek, 1 row on the interopercle, 1 on the
subopercle, and 6 on the opercle ; temporal region with a broad
band of scales, arranged in several series ; base of soft dorsal and
anal scaly ; dorsal spines rather weak and slender, the outline of the
fin gently convex, the fourth spine longest, 2^ in head, the tenth
spine 3f in head ; soft dorsal short, its margin somewhat angulated,
the eighth ray longest, twice the length of last ray and \y2 first, 2J-
in head; caudal moderately forked, the upper lobe the longer, 1^
length of middle rays, which are 2 in head ; anal rather high, rounded
in outline, its middle rays longest, 1^3 length of last ray, 24 in head,
first ray reaching middle of last ray when the fin is depressed, second
anal spine stronger than third and of equal length, %-/z in head ;
pectorals reaching front of anal, 1 ^ in head. Color in life, rose-
colored, silvery tinged below, slightly olivaceous but not dark above;
a large, round, maroon blotch, larger than eye, just above lateral line
and below front of soft dorsal, always present ; series of stripes of

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 95

deep golden yellow along sides ; 3 on head, the upper from snout
through eye; about 10 on body, the lower nearly straight and hori-
zontal, the upper undulating and irregular, extending upward and
backward ; belly white, its sides largely yellowish ; lips red ; max-
illary partly yellow ; tongue yellowish ; iris fiery red ; caudal deep
blood-red ; spinous dorsal nearly transparent, with a marginal and
basal band of golden ; soft dorsal light red, edged with golden ; ven-
trals and anal golden ; pectorals pinkish. Young quite green above.
Similarly striped Cuban specimens are generally duller, with the
yellow stripes decidedly coppery. In spirits the bright colors fade,
only the lateral blotch and the streaks on the head being persistent. ' '
Resembles the gray, but brighter colors. Weight, y2 to 3
pounds. Same tackle and bait as Schoolmaster. Edible, A.

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Illustration. Page.

86. "OCYURUS CHRYSURUS." 520 1275

Yellow-tail; "Head 3; depth 3. D. X, 13; A. Ill, 9; scales

Rabirubia. 7—65—1 6 ; 51 pores. Body elliptical, comparatively
elongate, the back little elevated, the profile straight from the tip of
the snout to the nape, thence rather strongly arched ; caudal pedun-
cle long and slender ; snout pointed, of moderate length, 3 in head ;
eye small, 5 in head ; interorbital space very convex, with a sharp
median keel, 4 in head; preorbital narrow, its least width 62A in
head. Mouth small, oblique, the lower jaw projecting ; maxillary
reaching very slightly beyond front of orbit, 2f in head ; upper jaw
with a narrow band of villiform teeth, outside of which is a single

96 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

series of larger teeth, 5 or 6 of those in front being somewhat
canine-like, but small ; lower jaw with a single series of moderately
strong teeth, none of them large enough to be called canines ; tongue
with a large, oval patch of teeth, in front of which is a smaller but
similar patch ; teeth on vomer forming a broadly arrow-shaped patch,
with a backward prolongation on the median line, which is nearly
twice the width of the patch ; a narrow band of pterygoid teeth
behind the patch on the vomer, this not evident in young examples.
Gill rakers rather long and slender, the longest about ^ diameter of
eye, about 8 -f- 21, none of them rudimentary. Preopercle with its
posterior margin almost vertical, with a slight, but distinct emargina-
tion above the angle ; serrations of preopercle very feeble, the teeth
at the angle scarcely enlarged ; nostrils well separated ; the posterior
slit-like ; scales small, those above lateral line arranged in very oblique
series, those below in rows nearly horizontal ; cheeks with 5 or 6 rows
of scales, about two rows on interopercle ; temporal region with 2 or
3 series of large scales, before and behind which are many small
scales ; top of head, snout, and jaws naked ; bases of soft dorsal and
anal scaly. Dorsal spines rather long and slender, the fin not deeply
emarginate, fifth spine longest, 2f in head; tenth spine 3^ ; soft
dorsal and anal similar, their margins nearly straight, the last rays
slightly shortened, median rays about 3 in head ; caudal fin long,
very deeply forked, the upper lobe longest, 3 times as long as middle
rays, which are 2)4 in head; pectorals long and slender, reaching
vent, \yi in head ; ventrals 1± in head ; anal spines rather weak, the
third Yi longer than second, 4 in head. Color in life, olivaceous
above, rather pale, and somewhat violet tinged ; a number of large,
irregular deep yellow blotches on sides of back ; a deep yellow
stripe from tip of snout straight through eye to caudal peduncle,
there broadening and including all of tail above lateral line and
behind dorsal fin ; above this is a pearly-purplish area ; below it a
flesh-colored or rosy area or band, 2 scales broad, then a succession
of about 16 narrow streaks alternating flesh-color and yellow, growing
fainter progressively below ; the yellow on the edges of the scales,
the reddish on their middles ; iris fiery red ; lower parts of head
flesh-color with some yellow spots ; maxillary mostly yellow ; caudal
deep yellow, its edges reddish ; dorsal chiefly yellow ; anal faintly
yellow ; ventrals and pectorals translucent. In spirits, all the mark-
ings fade, leaving the fins yellowish, the upper parts grayish, the

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

97

lower rosy-silvery. Length, 2 feet." Weight to 3 or 4 pounds;

average,

pound.

Caught: Light tackle, No. 1 and 2, or^l$ hooks, 6-9 line.
Still bottom fishing among the Keys. Crawfish and Conch bait ;
around Key West, Pilchard and Sardine bait. Edible, A 1. At Key
West considered the best table fish.

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87. "BAIRDIELLA CHRYSURA.

Illustration. Page

566

1433

Yellow-tail ;
Mademoiselle ;
White Perch.

This fish is caught off Sebastian Bridge St.
Augustine, Mayport, and at Ponce Park, at times in
large numbers. It does not resemble the Yellow-
tail Rabirubia, except in having a yellow tail and some yellow on the
body. Has a square tail. Weight, )/% to % pound. No. 1 hook,
No. 6 or silk line. Bait : Cut fish or Crab. Edible, B.

98 WHERE, WHEN, A. YD HOW TO CATCH FISH

■

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88. "H^EMULON ALBUM."

Illustration. Page.

528 1295

Grunt; See Margate-fish. Usually called " Margate -

Margate-fish ; fish " only, at Key West and among the Keys.

Jallao ;
Margaret Grunt.

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89. "H^MULON MACROSTOMUM." 529 1296

Gray Grunt; << Head 2$ j depth 234. D. XII, 16; A. Ill,

Striped Grunt, g . scales 7_5\_i% (9 aDOve in an oblique series).
Body oblong, moderately compressed, the anterior profile almost

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 99

straight ; snout rather long and pointed, its length 2y$ in head; eye
large, 3f in head ; mouth rather large, the maxillary reaching front
of pupil, 2± in head ; least width of preorbital about 5 in head.
Teeth moderate, the outer row in the upper jaw and the posterior
teeth in both jaws considerably enlarged. Preopercle moderately
serrate. Gill rakers small. Scales moderate, those above lateral line
not enlarged ; those below very slightly enlarged ; scales above
arranged in very oblique series, the series below oblique anteriorly,
becoming horizontal posteriorly. Dorsal spines strong, the longest
2^ in head ; soft dorsal rather high ; caudal lobes subequal, \yi in
head ; anal spines strong, the second longest and strongest, 2fz in
head, its tip reaching, when depressed, beyond tip of last ray ; soft
anal very high, its free margin concave, its longest ray 2f in head,
reaching much beyond tip of last ray ; pectorals If in head ; ventrals
\2/z. Color, in spirits, pearly gray, with conspicuous narrow dark
streaks, arranged essentially as in the young of all the other species
of Hamilton, but in this species persistent through life ; a median
streak from tip of snout to dorsal, 1 from snout above eye, along sides
of back to last ray of soft dorsal, 2 below this from eye above to last
ray of soft dorsal, the upper one more or less interrupted behind ; a
fourth streak from eye nearly straight to base of caudal ; traces
below this of a fifth streak ; a short streak from eye to gill opening,
between the third and fourth streaks ; this is continued on the body
in a series of irregular marks and dots ; a large black blotch on
opercle under angle of preopercle ; fins all dusty olive, the pectorals
palest ; ventrals darkest. "

Illustration. Paye.

90. "H^EMULON BONARIENSE." 1297

Black Grunt ;
Ronco Pkieto.

91. "H^MULON PARRA." 530 1297

Grunt ;

Sailor's Choice ;
Ronco Blanco ;
Ronco Prieto ;
Bastard Margaret.

100

WHERE, WHEN', AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

92.

H/EMULON SC1URUS."

Illustration. Page.

531 1303

Yellow Grunt; « Head 2% ; depth 2f. D. XII, 16 \ A. Ill,

Ronco Amarillo ; 8 . scales 7_53_i4. Eye moderate, 4 in head ;

Boar Grunt. . . . , ~_ . , , , . .

interorbital space convex, 3g in head ; preorbital

moderate, its least breadth 67^ in head; preopercle finely serrate ;
gill rakers small, about 13 + 17. Body oblong; the back not spe-
cially elevated ; the profile nearly straight or slightly concave from
tip of snout to before eye, thence a little gibbous to base of dorsal ;
snout moderately acute, 2)4 in head. Mouth large, the gape curved,
the maxillary reaching a little past front of pupil, its length 2 in
head ; lower jaw slightly included ; teeth strong ; upper jaw in front
with about 3 strong canines on each side, these stronger than any of
the other teeth ; front teeth of lower jaw rather strong, as also the
antrorse teeth of the back part of both jaws. Scales moderate, those
above lateral line not at all enlarged, arranged in oblique series, those
below in nearly horizontal ones. Dorsal spines rather slender, the
fourth longest, 2-f in head ; longest soft rays 4 ; upper caudal lobe
longer than lower, \l/z in head; longest anal rays 2^ in head, their
tips, when depressed, extending beyond the tips of the last rays ;
second anal spine stronger and longer than third, 21/?, in head, its
tip, when depressed, reaching past the middle of the last ray ; ven-
trals \y% in head ; pectorals 1 1. Color, in life, deep brassy yellow,
scarcely paler below or darker above ; head and body with about 12

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

101

conspicuous slightly wavy, longitudinal stripes of sky-blue, deepest
on the snout, each with a very narrow edge of dusky olive ; these
stripes on the head curving upward below eye, the first stripe below
eye forking near posterior margin of preopercle and inclosing an
oblong area of the ground color ; iris gilt, a dark spot under the
angle of the preopercle ; spinous dorsal edged and shaded with yel-
lowish, its membrane mostly bluish; soft dorsal yellowish, caudal
yellowish, broadly dusky at base, the degree of this duskiness being
variable ; mouth deep orange within ; pectorals pale yellowish ; anal
and ventrals deeper yellowish ; the young have more yellow on fins
and less on body, with traces of a dark caudal spot. The coloration
becomes fainter in spirits, the blue lines becoming gray."

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HiEMULON PLUMIERI."

Illustration. Page.

532 1304

Common Grunt ; Head 2fz ; depth Ifz ', eye small, 5 to 6 in

Ronco Ronco ; head. D. XII, 16 ; A. Ill, 8 ; scales 5-50-17. Body
Ronco Arara. moderately elongate, the back elevated and some-
what compressed ; head long, the snout sharp and projecting, its
length 21 in head ; anterior profile more or less S-shaped, nearly
straight from tip of snout to before eye, there concave, and thence
gibbous to the front of dorsal, old specimens having the nape more
gibbous than young ones. Mouth very large, the gape curved ; max-

UNTVERSTTY OF CATJ^ORNTA
SANTA BARBARA COLLEGE LIBRARY

102 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

illary reaching to a little beyond front of eye, its length l^j in head ;
lower jaw slightly included. Teeth strong, in rather broad bands,
those of the outer series enlarged ; antrorse teeth of posterior part of
both jaws strong. Interorbital space convex, 4 in head ; preorbital
rather deep, its least breadth 6 in head ; preopercle finely serrate.
Gill rakers small, about 12 -f 15. Scales rather large, those above lat-
eral line anteriorly very much enlarged, arranged in irregular and
very oblique series, those below also oblique. Dorsal spines stout, the
fourth longest, 2f in head; longest soft rays 3^4 in head; caudal
lobes subequal, 2 in head ; longest anal rays 24 in head, their tips,
when depressed, about reaching tips of the last rays ; second anal
spine longer and stronger than third, 2)4, in head, its tip, when
depressed, at least reaching middle of last ray ; ventrals 1^ in head ;
pectorals 1^. Color, in life, bluish gray, the base of the scales above
bright bronze, tinged with olive ; bases of scales below lateral line
also bronze, this color forming very oblique stripes, running upward
and backward ; anterior region above lateral line with 3 or 4 sky-blue
stripes, ill-defined, apparently continuations of stripes of head ; head
golden-bronze with many narrow stripes of deep clear blue, as if
painted on, these nearly horizontal, except before eye, where a few
curved ones cross the forehead ; also these lines curve slightly upward
below eye. Lips dusky ; inside of mouth deep orange, bordered
anteriorly on the jaws by yellow ; a greenish bar on opercle partly
concealed by the preopercle ; dorsals grayish, with a narrow yellow
edge on spinous portion ; caudal plain gray ; anal gray, tinged with
yellow ; ventrals gray, with a clear blue luster which disappears after
death ; pectorals gray, a dusky bar at base. There is considerable
variation in the depth of color in this species. The young is similar
to the adult in color, but has traces of two lateral bands and a dusky
caudal spot. The color in spirits differs only in the blue becoming
dusky."

Illustration. Page.

94. "H^MULON FLAVOLINEATUM." No illustration. 1306
French Grunt ;
Open-mouthed Grunt ;
Ronco Condenado.

ON THE EAST COAST OE FLORIDA.

103

Illustration. Page.

95-

Red-mouth Grunt ;
Tom Tate;

CAESAR.

534

1308

"BATHYSTOMA RIMATOR."

"Head 2f ; depth 2§ ; eye rather large,
4^ in head; interorbital space convex, 3^ in
head ; preorbital low, its least breadth 8 in head.
Gill rakers small, about 11 + 16. D. XIII, 15; A. Ill, 8; scales
8-51-13. Body rather elongate but not fusiform, the back some-
what elevated, the profile straight or slightly convex from tip of snout
to behind eye, where it becomes gradually more convex ; snout short,
rather pointed, about 3 in head. Mouth large, the maxillary reaching
middle of pupil, its length 2 in head. Teeth not very strong, those
of the outer series a little enlarged, the antrores posterior teeth rather
large. Scales rather small, those above lateral line regularly arranged
in oblique series, the series below nearly horizontal. Dorsal spines
slender and high, the fourth 2 to 2^ in head ; upper caudal lobe \}i
in head ; longest anal rays 3 in head, their tips not reaching tips of
last rays when depressed ; second anal spine but little longer than
third, 2f in head, the two more nearly equal than usual in this genus,
their tips, when depressed, reaching middle of last ray ; ventrals 1^
in head ; pectorals 1^, their tips not reaching past tips of ventrals.
Frontal foramina as in other species of the subgenus Bathystoma, long
divided slits in front of the supraoccipital crest. Color, in life, silvery
white, slightly bluish above, with iridescent reflections ; edges of
scales of body light yellow, these forming continuous light yellow
lines, those below lateral line horizontal, those above very oblique ;

104 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

besides these, a narrow continuous streak of light yellow above lateral
line, from head to end of soft dorsal, and another from eye to middle
of caudal ; head silvery-yellowish above ; inside of mouth red ; no
black under preopercle ; traces of black blotch at base of caudal ;
fins colorless, the lower slightly yellowish. Young are light olivaceous,
grayish -silvery below ; a dark bronze band, narrower than pupil,
darkest in the younger specimen from snout through eye straight to
base of caudal ; above this, 2 or 3 dark streaks, the middle one most
distinct, from eye to above gill opening ; another, beginning on top
of snout on each side, passing above eye, and extending parallel with
the first-mentioned stripe straight to last ray of dorsal, where it meets
its fellow of the opposite side ; a dark streak from tip of snout
along median line to front of dorsal ; a large rounded black blotch at
base of caudal, somewhat obscure dusky shading below soft dorsal and
at base of pectoral ; fins all plain, upper slightly dusky ; anal nearly
white ; pectorals, caudal, and ventrals light yellow ; lining of opercle
plain orange ; inside of mouth scarlet. In the large specimen (5^
inches long) the dark stripes are fainter, paler, and more yellowish,
several fainter bands occur between the broader ones, and faint oblique
streaks of light bronze follow the rows of scales, those above lateral
line oblique. In spirits the adult is plain silvery."

Here I will tell a "Grunt" story, in support of my statement
that the fish is the most important one in Key West ; which story is
probably a "chestnut " in Florida, but was new to me a year or two
ago, and will probably be the same to some of my readers.

A New York family were spending some time in Key West, and
while there made the acquaintance of a family in which there was a
young lady with whom they became intimate. They invited her to
visit them if she should go to New York. The next summer she
went there with her father, who was on business, and accepted her
friends invitation to visit them.

After her visit she went to her father's hotel intending to make
quite a stay. But in a day or two called on her friends to bid them
good bye.

They were surprised, and asked what the reason was for changing
her mind, and returning to Key West so soon. She rather hesitat-
ingly said, that she did not like the food at the hotel, and that the
fact really was that she wanted to get back to Key West and to her
" Grits and Grunts."

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 105

Since hearing that story, Capt. John and I when asked "What
luck?" very frequently reply, "Oh! plenty of Grits and Grunts."
Under my description of Mullets, I have given the status of " Grits "
in Florida.

I really believe that the " Conchs " of the Keys, and a great
majority of the residents of Key West, prefer Grunts to any other
fish. At any rate very many boat loads are sold there every day in
the year.

Illustration. Page.

96. "BATHYSTOMA AUROLINEATUM." 535 1310
Jeniguano.

97. "BATHYSTOMA STRIATUM." No illustration. 1310
White Grunt. Under family, "Grunters," J. & E. have 55
species, and among them the Pig Fish, Pork Fish, Sailor's Choice,
and Hog Fish; but I put under the heading "Grunts" only those
usually called "Grunts," except the " Margate-fish." Weight to 2
pounds ; average about ^ to ^ pound.

Caught : Rod and reel or hand line, No. 9-12 line, 2f0 hook,
still fishing, bottom, channels, "patches," under mangroves, etc.
The Grunts are the most important food fishes at Key West. Bait :
Crawfish, Conch, Crabs, cut fish. Edible, A.

106 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

-%

Illustration. Page

98. " ANISOTREMUS VIRGINICUS." 539 1322

Porkfish; " Head Sy8 ', depth 2T\. D. XII, 17 ; A. Ill, 10

Catalineta. or 11 ; scales 11-56-17 ; eye 4/s ; snout 2y2 to 3 ;
preorbital 4 ; maxillary 3^ ; second anal spine 2^ ; third dorsal
spine 2^; pectoral fa; gill rakers 7 + 16. Body ovate, the back
very much elevated, the anterior profile steep, slightly convex along
snout and over eye, very much arched at nape ; mouth small, the
maxillary extending to anterior nostril ; jaws subequal ; outer row of
teeth enlarged ; about 6 gill rakers besides rudiments, below angle ;
dorsal fin low, emarginate, spines slender, the highest about equal in
length to second anal spine, which is less than j4 head ; caudal
forked. Oblique bar from nape through eye, and vertical bar down-
ward from dorsal, jet black ; space before anterior bar deep yellow ;
interspace between bars pearly gray, with yellow spots, the spots con-
fluent above into a yellow area ; ground color of body plain pearly
gray, with about 7 deep yellow longitudinal stripes ; the pearly inter-
space not edged with darker and not distinctly blue ; all the fins
deep yellow ; iris gilt gray. A very young specimen showed the fol-
lowing coloration in life : pale anterior region, from lower jaw and
temporal region to spinous dorsal bright yellow ; spinous dorsal ven-
trals, and front of anal deep golden ; other fins pale; a large round

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

107

jet black spot at base of caudal ; a dark band from front of spinous
dorsal downward, and 2 black stripes along sides, one from nape to
last ray of dorsal and one from the eye nearly to the caudal spot."
Weight to 2 pounds ; average, V^ pound.

One of the most beautiful fishes of the Keys. Caught same as
other medium and small bottom fishes among the Keys. Edible, A 1.

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99.

ORTHOPRISTIS CHRYSOPTERUS." 541

Illustration. Page.

1338

PlGFISH ;

Sailor's Choice ;
Hogfish.

" Head 3}£ ; depth 2#. D. XII or XIII, 16 ;
A. Ill, 12 or 13; scales 10-60-19; maxillary
S}i ; eye 5 in head ; preorbital 3f ; pectoral 1 % ;
snout 2| ; highest dorsal spine 2^6 ; second anal spine 5j4 ', longest
anal ray 3; base soft, dorsal in spinous 1%\ Body ovate-elliptical,
somewhat elevated at shoulders, considerably compressed. Snout long
and sharp, jaws equal, each with a narrow band of slender teeth, the
outer above a little larger ; maxillary not reaching to eye ; preopercle
very slightly serrate above, the serrate blunt, obsolete below ; gill
rakers short and slender, 7-f 12. The crown, cheeks, and pieces of the
gill cover covered with small scales ; snout in advance of the nostrils,
suborbitals, and lower jaw naked ; dorsal and anal spines inclosed in a
deep scaly sheath, the soft rays naked. Outline of dorsal very slightly
notched ; anal rather high, second anal spine shorter than third ;

108 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

pectoral shortish, reaching past tips of ventrals ; caudal well forked,
the upper lobe the longer. Pyloric cseca 6. Color, in life, light blue
above, shading gradually into silvery below ; preorbital and snout of
a clear 'sky-blue ; a dash of blue on each side of upper lip ; each scale
on body with a blue center, the edge with a bronze spot, these form-
ing on back and sides very distinct orange-brown stripes along the
rows of scales, those above the lateral line extending obliquely up-
ward and backward, those below being nearly horizontal ; snout with
bronze spots ; 1 or 2 cross lines connecting front of orbits ; 2 or 3
oblique lines on preorbital, besides numerous bronze spots larger than
those on the body ; preorbital also with dusky shades, one of which
extends on upper lip ; cheeks and opercles with distinct bronze spots,
larger than those on body ; inside of mouth pale ; inside of gill cavity
tinged with golden; dorsal translucent, with about 3 bronze longi-
tudinal shades, composed of spots, those of soft dorsal most distinctly
spot-like ; edge of fin dusky ; caudal plain, yellowish at base, dusky
toward the tip; anal whitish, its edge dusky, its base shaded with
bronze ; pectorals and ventrals yellowish, the latter darker at tip.
Fresh specimens show no trace of vertical bands. In examples pre-
served in alcohol the yellowish and blue markings gradually disappear
and dark cross shades become apparent. A specimen 5 years in alco-
hol shows the following coloration : Silver-gray, with faint streaks
along the rows of scales ; a distinct narrow dusky band from front of
spinous dorsal through base of pectorals ; behind this 7 or 8 cloudy,
obscure bands, alternately broad and narrow ; a horizontal dusky
shade behind eye ; spinous dorsal with a faint medium pale shade ;
soft dorsal with 3 rows of faint spots ; other fins nearly plain. Length,
12 to 15 inches." Weight to 2 pounds; average, y± pound.
Caught : Same as Pinfish. Edible, A.

Illustration. Page.

ioo. "STENOTOMUS CHRYSOPS." 544 1346

Porgy; '-Head 3*4; depth 2TV D. XII, 12; A. Ill,

Common Scup; n . gcales 8_5Q_16 ; snout short, 2j4 in head; eye
small, narrower than preorbital, 4 to 4^ in head ;
fourth dorsal spine 2, third anal spine the longest, 3. Body ovate-
elliptical, the depth about the same from the first dorsal spine to the
eleventh ; anterior profile steep, nape convex, a strong depression
above and in front of eye, straightish over snout ; pectoral less than

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

109

head, about 3^ in body, extending to first anal spine ; a scaly sheath
very conspicuous at base of soft dorsal and anal fins ; temporal crest
obsolete; supraoccipital crest continuous with the frontal bones;
incisor teeth very narrow, almost conical in appearance ; molars in
2 rows above ; gill rakers small, about 6 + 10 ; top of head, snout,
orbitals, and chin naked ; scales on cheek extending from upper mar-
gin of eye, the anterior row composed of from 15 to 20 scales ; caudal
fin forked, the middle ray about 2^ in longest ray. Color brownish,
somewhat silvery below, everywhere with bright reflections, but with-
out distinct markings in the adult ; soft parts of vertical fins mottled
with dark in adult; young faintly barred; axil dusky. Length
about a foot."

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STENOTOMUS ACULEATUS."

Illustration. Page.

545 1346

IOI.

Southern Porgy. « Read 3 ; depth 2f D. XII, 12 ; A. Ill, 11 ;
scales 8-54-15. Body elongate-ovate, the depth gradually decreas-
ing from first dorsal spine to caudal peduncle ; anterior profile not
steep, nape slightly convex, a slight depression above and behind eye,
convex over snout ; pectoral about as long as head, 3i in body ;
scaly sheath at base of soft dorsal and anal inconspicuous ; snout

110

WHERE, II7/E.Y, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

long and pointed, 2 in head ; eye large, less than width of preorbital,
about 3^ in head; interorbital area very convex ; 6 strong conical
teeth in front of upper jaw and 8 in lower ; molar teeth coarser and
larger than in S. chrysops ; scales on cheek reaching to top of eye,
the upper rows less distinct than the lower, the anterior row of about
20 scales ; caudal fin moderately forked, the middle ray about 2}£ in
longest ray. First dorsal spine as long as eye, the second about as long
as third, which is about 2 in head ; temporal crest obsolete ; frontal
bones not gibbous or porous ; antrorse spine attached to the fourth
interneural by a downward projecting spur about twice as long as the
spine. Color nearly plain dull silvery, with golden longitudinal
streaks, following the rows of scales ; axil dusky ; ventrals dark."

^<5V

">~

102. "CALAMUS CALAMUS."

PORGY ;

Saucer-eye Porgy ;
Fez de Pluma.

103. "CALAMUS PRORIDENS."
Little-head Porgy ;
Pkx de Pluma.

Illustration. Paee.

546 1349

547 1350

104. "CALAMUS BAJONADO."

Jolt-head Porgy ;

IJ.VJONADO.

548 1352

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

CALAMUS PENNA."

Ill

Illustration. Page

549 1354

105.

Little-mouth Pokgy ; "Head 3 to S}( ; depth 2% (2% in

Sheepshead Pokgy. total); eye rather small, 3^ to -iyi in head

in specimens from 6 to 11 inches long. D. XII, 12; A. Ill, 10;
scales 6-48-13. Body somewhat higher than in C. bajonado.
Anterior profile evenly convex to front of dorsal, rising slowly and
not strongly arched. Preorbital low, 2f to 3 in head, about equaling
interorbital width. Mouth moderate, the maxillary scarcely reaching
vertical from front of orbit, 21/. to 2^3 in head. Outer series of teeth
anteriorly in both jaws somewhat enlarged, small and uniform in size,
8 to 10 in each jaw ; no accessory row of molars in either jaw. Dor-
sal low, the highest dorsal spine about 2y'i in head ; pectorals about
reaching vertical from front of anal, 3^ in length ; ventrals 1^ to
2 in head. Scales large, in about 5 vertical series on cheeks. Color,
dull silvery with pearly markings, without blue stripes ; a faint pale
streak below eye ; axil with a small inky black spot ; ventrals black-
ish ; dark crossbars on body usually persistent. ' '

/ u>

106. "CALAMUS ARCTIFRONS."

Grass Pokgy ;
Shad Pokgy.

550 1355

112 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Illustration. Page.

107. "PAGRUS PAGRUS." 551 1356

Red Porgy; " D- XI> 12> or XII> n or 10 J A. Ill, 8;

Besugo ; scales 6 (9) -53 to 56-13. Body oblong, the

Pargo Colorado, back moderately elevated, the profile parabolic ;
preorbital deep, much wider than the small eye. Molar teeth in two
series ; teeth behind the canines slended ; scales large. Dorsal spines
not elongate, the front longest, about iy2 in head; soft dorsal and
anal pointed behind ; caudal well forked ; second anal spine stronger
but not longer than third, about 4 in head ; pectoral fin elongate,
longer than head, reaching about to fourth soft ray of anal. Ameri-
can specimens show in life the following coloration : Color, golden
olive, the middle of each scale largely pinkish-red, giving a general
reddish hue to the fish ; sides and below silvery, flushed with red ;
many scales of back and sides each with a small round spot of deep
purplish-blue, those forming distinct longitudinal streaks on the sides
below lateral line, the series somewhat irregular, running along the
margins of the scales ; above the lateral line these spots are somewhat
scattered, forming very irregular oblique series, running upward and
backward ; a few of these spots on nape and upper part of opercle ;
a dark spot on upper part of orbital rim ; snout tinged with purplish,
occiput with olive ; edge of opercle dusky ; vertical fins largely
orange, their edges translucent ; spinous dorsal somewhat dusky ;
ventrals pale, with a pinkish blotch at base ; pectorals yellowish,
especially at base, the axil somewhat dusky. Length, 2 feet."
Weight to 3 or 4 pounds ; average about fy pound.

All Porgies caught same as other small bottom fish among the
Keys. Edible, A. Some of them A 1.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

113

Bream (salt water) ;
Pinkish ;
Sailor's Choice ;
Chopa Spina.

109. "LAGODON RHOMBOIDES."

"Head Z\\ depth 2 to 2

Illustration.

552

Page.

1358

/3 >

eye 4. D.
XII, 11; A. Ill, 11; scales 10-65 to 70-17.
Body elongate, elliptical ; head flattened, muz-
zle pointed, profile not very steep ; eye moder-
ate ; \yi to \y2 snout; 1 in interorbital ; mouth moderate, maxil-
lary not reaching front of orbit, 3^3 in head ; incisors -}, all deeply
notched ; molars in two series in each jaw ; gill rakers 6 + 13 ; dorsal
spines all rather high, the highest about 2 in head ; caudal deeply
forked ; second anal spine not longer than third ; ventrals short and
broad, pectorals moderate, upper rays reaching past origin of anal.
Color, in life, olivacious, the sides bluish silvery ; a humeral spot
and traces of 6 vertical bars; gilt stripes much less intense than in
Archosargus unimaculatus , much broader than the interspaces ; about
7 stripes below the lateral line, those above it more or less confluent ;
dorsal fin pale bluish, with a submedian gilt band and a gilt edging ;
caudal yellow, faintly barred ; anal bluish, with a medium yellowish
band ; ventrals mesially yellowish ; pectorals plain. Length, 6
inches. ' ' Weight, 2 pounds ; average, % pound.

Caught in Halifax and Indian Rivers, Lake Worth Inlet, Biscayne
Bay, and all the way to Key West, in the passes, channels and cuts,
with rod and reel, or hand line, No. 6 or 9 line, No. 1$, 2$, to 3$

114

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

hook, still fishing on bottom. Bait : Crawfish, where obtainable,
Crab, Conch, cut fish, Mullet preferred. Edible, B.

Illustration. Page.

no. BREAM (SALT WATER).

I have caught fish at Key West, called there "Salt-water Bream,"
and simply "Bream," which were entirely different from No. 552,
in that they were striped yellow and red, but about the shape of No.
552 illustration. Weight, bait and method of catching same as
other small fish among Keys. Crawfish best. Edible, B.

': 4U

X

in. "ARCHOSARGUS UNIMACULATIS." 553 1359

Sheepshead ; Said to be on Florida coast. Have never seen

Salema. them.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

115

Illustration. Page.

112. "ARCHOSARGUS PROBATOCEPHALUS." 554 1361

Sheepshead ; "Head 3}4 ; depth 2 to2}£ ; eye large, 3^3 to

Sargo Raiado. 4 __ preorbital, or 1 }i to >^ in interorbital width.
D. XIII, 10 ; A. Ill, 10 or 11 ; scales 8 or 9-45 to 50-14 to 16.
Body rather deep and compressed, profile rounded, steep ; mouth
moderate, maxillary not reaching front of orbit, 3 to 3^§ in head ;
occipital crest rather thin, its honeycomb structure not exposed.
Incisors ^ on each side, entire, or with a shallow notch ; molars
3-rowed above, 2-rowed below ; gill rakers small, about 6 + 8 ; cheeks
with 5 rows of scales. Fifth dorsal spine highest, 2 to 2}4 in head ;
second anal spine strong, recurved, 2 to 2*4 in head ; pectorals long,
reaching to anal spines, about 2^ in body, ventrals moderate, \y2
to 4f in length of body, not nearly reaching vent. Color,
olivaceous, silvery below, the upper parts with golden longitudinal
stripes alternating with bluish interspaces ; a black humeral spot
larger than eye. ' ' Weight to 15 pounds ; average about 3 to 4 pounds.
Caught : Rod and reel, still, bottom fishing, 18-21 line, sinker
in weight according to tide, Virginia hook. Bait : Fiddlers, Oys-
ter Crab, cut Sea Crab and other Crustacea bait. Edible, B.

116 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Illustration. Page.

113. "DIPLODUS HOLBROOKII." 555 1362

Sheepshead, Holbrook. The Sheepshead run in weight to 15 pounds;

average, 3 to 4 pounds. Caught : Rod and

reel or hand line, 18—21 line, sinker, fish on bottom, Virginia hook.

Bait : Fiddlers, Sea Crab, Oyster Crab, or other Crustacea. Edible, B.

114. "GERRES OLISTHOSTOMUS." 557 1376

Irish Pompano ; "Head 3; depth 2. D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 8;

Mutton-fish. scales 5_37_9i Body rhomboid, short and deep,

the back elevated, the anterior profile short and very steep ; mouth
rather large ; teeth slender, brush-like ; preorbital entire ; preopercle
and interopercle serrate ; groove on top of head, for reception of
premaxillaries, broad, rounded behind, with a median linear depres-
sion, its surface completely covered with small deciduous scales which
extend forward to just behind nostrils. Eye moderate. Gill rakers
small, about 14 on lower part of arch. Dorsal spines high and strong,
the second nearly or quite as long as head ; second anal spine very
strong, ]/? or more length of head ; third spine slightly longer than
second and very slender ; caudal lobes long and slender, a little
longer than head ; pectoral long, nearly as long as head, reaching
front of anal. Color, silvery olivaceous ; scales with faint silvery
streaks, but no dark ones ; fins mostly pale or yellowish, the ventrals
somewhat dusky. Length, 12 inches."

J. & E. have, on page 392, U. S. Commission, 1895, "Irish
Pompano " or " Mutton Fish " ; and Goode & Beane, U. S. Com-
mission, 1896, page 245, report in Indian River "Irish Pompano "
or "Mutton Fish." Gardner has caught the fish in Indian River,
and it is different from the Mutton -fish of the Keys.

Caught while fishing for other fish. Edible, C.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

117

KYPHOSUS SECTATRIX."

Illustration. Pasre.

559 1387

US

Chub (salt water); "Head 3^; depth 2/8. D. XI, 12; A.

Rudder-fish ; HI, H ; scales 10-55-16 ; vertebrae 9 + 16.

Bermuda Chub ; „ . . . .

„ „ Body ovate, somewhat compressed ; longest

dorsal spine i the height of body, rather higher

than soft dorsal and nearly equal to longest ray of anal ; teeth 35 to

40 on each side ; horizontal process of the teeth not much longer

than the vertical ; interorbital space 2^ in head; top and sides of

head finely scaled ; interorbital region gibbous, below which point

the snout is truncate ; preopercle weakly serrulate ; gill rakers long ;

soft dorsal and anal very low ; the longest ray of anal 2^ in head,

longest spine 2^ ; median dorsal spines highest ; second anal spine

highest ; caudal well forked, the lower lobe longer. Color, in life,

steel gray, very slightly bluish, not much paler below ; the edges of

each row of scales on back and sides slightly brassy, so that very faint

yellowish stripes alternate with bluish ones of about equal width ; a

diffuse pale stripe below eye, a yellowish one above and below this ;

fins all dull grayish ; ventrals and anal somewhat blackish ; edge of

opercle slightly darker. ' ' Weight to 9 pounds ; average, 3 to 4 pounds.

Caught : Still fishing, bottom, in channels, passes and cuts. Rod

and reel, 9 to 15 line, 2'i to Ac/0 hooks. Edible, B.

n6.

Sea Trout ;
Common Weakfish ;
Squeteague.

CYNOSCION REGALIS."

562

1407

Said to be on the coast, but I have not seen
them.

118

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

:,: &

117

Sea Trout ;
Spotted Sea Trout
Spotted Weakfish.

CYNOSCION NEBULOSUS."

Illustration. Page.

563 1409

Weight to 12 pounds ; average, 4 pounds.
Caught : Rod and reel, still fishing, bot-
tom, or floating ; No. 12-15 line, 4 to 6$ hook.
Trolling with phantom, spoon, or cut bait. Bait : Shrimp, Prawns,
Crab, Crawfish, Conch, Minnows, cut bait. They will take any bait.
Edible, B. Poor keeper.

^qtt3rt.£Mi..r;r; j

.«o. ■*■"---■:' ■■■ ■•■

'

Channel Bass ;
Red Drum ;
Red-fish ;

Pescado Colorado ;
Bull Red-fish ;
Bass.

••>:-

Ik

SCLjENOPS OCELLATUS."

567

1453

" Head Sys ; depth S}4 ', eye 7 in head;
snout 4. D. X-I, 24 ; A. II, 8 ; scales 4-45 to
50-12. Body elongate, rather robust, not
much compressed ; back somewhat arched ; pro-
file rather steep, somewhat convex ; head long,

rather low ; eye small ; snout bluntish, rather long. Preopercle with

2 r

*%»

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 119

its bony margin sharply serrate in young examples, becoming entire
with age, the seme entirely disappearing in specimens of 20 to 30
pounds weight ; in these the even edge of the bone is wholly covered
by skin ; mouth large, nearly horizontal ; maxillary, not quite reach-
ing posterior border of orbit, 2^ in head ; teeth in both jaws in vil-
liform bands, the outer series of the upper jaw much enlarged ; lower
teeth subequal ; gill rakers 5+7, shorter than the diameter of the
pupil ; longest dorsal spine 2}i in head ; second anal spine l-§ in the
longest ray, 3f in head ; pectorals as long as ventrals, 2 in head ;
scales of the breast embedded, cycloid ; soft dorsal scaleless ; caudal
fin slightly concave, about y^ as long as head. Color, grayish silvery,
iridescent ; often washed with coppery red ; each scale with a center
of dark points, these forming rather obscure, irregular, undulating
brown stripes along the rows of scales ; a jet black ocellated spot
about as large as eye at base of caudal above, this sometimes dupli-
cated ; the body occasionally covered with ocelli. Length, 2 to 5
feet. ' ' Weight to 50 pounds ; average about 6 to 8 pounds.

Caught : Preferably on banks near shores in shallow water, with
light tackle. Rod and reel, 6 to 12 line, 4$, 6$ hook. Bait : Live
Menhaden, small Mullet or other small fish ; Crab, or cut Mullet,
bottom or floating bait, using float if desired. In shallow water they
are obliged when hooked to make long runs, 100 to 300 feet, and
afford fine sport. When fishing on or near oyster bars a float is
necessary to keep the line off the oysters, where it may be cut. They
take the same bait as above in the surf from Ormond to Indian
River Inlet, at times, notably from April 1st to December 1st, and
during long continued warm spells, between December 1st and April
1st. This is the case at Mosquito Inlet and New Smyrna south to
Indian River Inlet, but not often much north of Mosquito Inlet, be-
tween these dates. Trolling : They will take a medium-size Mack-
erel or silvered phantom, a No. 5 or 6 Skinner spoon, Minnow or
cut bait. Trolling should be near the shores where the fish are sup-
posed to be. One of the best game fish. Edible, B. Up to 6
pounds they are a fine boiler or broiler ; above that weight they are
not desirable.

120

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

' Agfa

~.?

..

.'■.-'•

'*•»<£«

119.

Illustration. Page

LEIOSTOMUS XANTHURUS." 569 1458

Spot ;
Goody ;
Post-croaker
Oldwife ;
Lafayette ;
Besouga (G.).

" Head S}i to S}^ ; depth 3 ; snout 3^ to 3%.
D. X-I, 31; A. II, 12; scales 9-60 to 70-12.
Body short, deep, much compressed ; back in front
of dorsal compressed to a sharp edge, profile steep,
convex, depressed over the eyes ; dorsal outline
convex, highest at front of dorsal ; snout very blunt,
as long as eye, Syi to 3*4 in head; mouth small, inferior, horizon-
tal ; maxillary 3 in head ; extending to below pupil ; no teeth in
lower jaw, in the adult ; upper jaw with a series of narrow minute
teeth ; gill rakers short, slender, 8 + 22 ; lower pharyngeals small,
with three series of molars posteriorly and many villiform teeth
anteriorly; preopercle entire; preorbital broad, lj4 in eye; third
dorsal spine highest, \y2 \x\ head ; soft dorsal with the sheath at its
base formed by a single series of scales ; caudal long and forked, as
long as head ; anal long and slightly falcate ; second anal spine 2^
in the longest ray, 4 in head ; ventrals y$ shorter than pectorals,
which are as long as the head ; scales small, strongly ctenoid, extend-
ing on caudal and base of pectorals but not on other fins ; lateral
line little curved anteriorly ; scales below lateral line in oblique
series. Color, bluish above, silvery below ; about 15 narrow dark
wavy bands extending from the dorsal downward and forward to
below lateral line ; a round black humeral spot rather smaller than
eye ; fins plain olivaceous, the caudal not yellow."

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

121

There are several varieties of fishes called "Spots," some others
of the name occurring in my list. The names are local, and they can-
not be changed. The fish I have called "Spot" is also called Cuban
Fish, Gulf Fish and Salt-water Bream. Is about the shape of a Salt-
water Bream, all white, bluish cast, and a spot just below the gills.
He is plentiful in Indian River, especially from Indian River Inlet to
Jupiter. U. S. Commission Report, 1896, has "Spot," "Sailor's
Choice," confused with "Croaker," and plate 50 called Pinfish,
Bream. U. S. Commission Bulletin, 1897, "Spot," "Goody,"
probably the above Lciostomus Xanthurus. U. S. Commission
Bulletin, 1898, "Spot," "Goody," probably same as Leiostomus
Xanthurus. N. Y. Aquarium, "Spot," "Lafayette."

The "Spot," "Bream," and "Sailor's Choice" questions are
decidedly mixed. The Spots are all small fish, y^, to \% pounds.

Caught : No. 6 line, No. 1 or 1$ hook, fish, or crustaceous
bait. Still, bottom fishing. Edible, A 1 to C, according to what
kind of a Spot the specimen is. The Leiostomus Xanthurus is A 1.
This fish received its name of " Lafayette " because it reappeared on
the coast, after a long absence, during the visit of Lafayette to this
country in 1834.

-vv

Illustration. Page.

120. "MICROPOGON UNDULATUS.

570

1461

Croaker ; " Head 3 ; depth 3/3. D. X-I, 28 or 29 ; A. II,

Roncadina ; 7 ; scales 9-54. Body rather robust, the back some-
Corvina. what elevated and compressed, the profile rounded, not

depressed above eyes ; head long ; the snout prominent, convex.

122 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Mouth rather large, nearly horizontal, the maxillary reaching to front
of eye, 3 in head ; outer teeth above enlarged ; eye 2 in snout, 5 in
head, rather less than interorbital width. Preopercle strongly ser-
rate along its whole posterior margin, the spines near angle diverg-
ing ; dorsals nearly separate, the first high, the third spine 3 in
head ; pectorals moderate, nearly reaching tips of ventrals ; ventrals
filamentous ; anal inserted nearly under middle of second dorsal, the
second spine rather weak, shorter than snout, y^ length of head ;
caudal double truncate, If in head; 16 scales in an oblique series
from vent to lateral line, 12 in an oblique series from dorsal to lateral
line. Gill rakers slender, very short, 7 + 16; ca^ca 8. Color,
brassy, paler below ; middle part of the body with short, irregular
dusky vertical bars crossing the lateral line ; many dark brown spots
on side of back, irregularly placed, and not forming continuous
streaks along the rows of scales ; usually some of these coalesce
to form 2 dark streaks procurrent with the back. Length, 12 inches."
Weight to 1 y? pounds.

Caught: No. 6 line, No. 1, \% hook. Fish or Crustacea bait.
Edible, A.

i ^§||gF ■ *

. . - -->

'W

Illustration,

Page

121. '

'MENTICIRRHUS AMERICANUS." 572

1474

Whiting ;

Carolina Whiting

Sand Whiting.

122. "MENTICIRRHUS SAXATILIS." 572 1475

Whiting, Northern ; " Head Z% to 4 ; depth 4»4 to 4^3 ; eye

KlNGFISH (SMALL. G. ) ; 7 in hea(j . snQut 3^/ jy X_J} 26 or 27;

A. I, 8 ; scales 7-53 ; 14 pores. Outer teeth

ON THE EAST COAST OE FLORIDA. 123

of upper jaw less enlarged ; spinous dorsal elevated, the longest spine
reaching past front of soft dorsal, its length \yi in head ; coloration
strongly marked, body scarcely silvery. Profile slightly depressed
above the eyes ; eye small, 2^ in snout, 2 in interorbital area ; snout
long, bluntish ; mouth large ; maxillary reaching middle of eye, 2|
in head ; ventrals 1 ^ in pectorals, which are \\ in head ; scales all
ctenoid. Color, dusky gray above, sometimes blackish, the back and
sides with distinct dark oblique cross bands running downward and
forward, the anterior one at the nape extending downward, meeting
the second and thus forming a V-shaped blotch on each side ; a dark
lateral streak bounding the pale color of the belly, most distinct pos-
teriorly, and extending on lower lobe of caudal ; inside of gill cavity
scarcely dusky; pectorals dark."

Illustration. Page

123. "MENTICIRRHUS LITTORALIS." No illustration. 1477

Whiting, Silver; "Head 3*4 ', depth 4+ ; eye 6^ in head;

Surf Whiting. gnout 3^ D- X-I, 23 to 25 ; A. I, 7 ; scales
6-53 ; 12 pores. Upper lobe of caudal not longer than lower ; scales
rather large, 15 to 18 in an oblique series from vent upward and
forward to lateral line ; axillary scale not yx length of pectoral ; snout
distinctly projecting beyond mouth ; gill rakers larger than in other
species, the longest about )4 length of pupil, the number X + 7 ;
lower pharyngeal bones broad, most of the teeth developed as coarse
molars, only those along the posterior margin conical ; maxillary
reaching past front of orbit, 3)4 in head ; outer teeth of upper jaw
scarcely enlarged ; longest dorsal spines reaching past front of soft
dorsal, the free margin of the fin concave ; caudal rather deeply lunate,
the lower lobe rounded, the upper pointed ; ventrals If in pectorals,
which are 1 ^ in head. Color, silvery gray above, with bluish and
bronze reflections, immaculate ; a dark -bronze shade along sides on
level of pectorals, extending to tail and along cheeks ; belly below
this abruptly white ; dorsals light brown, spinous dorsal black at tip,
the base narrowly white; caudal pale, its tip usually black ; inner
lining of pectoral and ventrals blackish ; gill cavity pale." Weight,
y2 to 2 pounds ; average, ^ pound.

Usually caught on sandy bottom, inside and outside, rather shallow
water. No. 6 line, 1$ hook. Still fishing, in surf or inside. Bait :
Cut Mullet or Crustacea. Edible, B.

124

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

>LM&M;

Illustration. Page.

124. "POGONIAS CROMIS." 573 1482

Drum ; " Head 3* 3 ; depth 2^3 5 snout 3^ in head.

Common Drum (G.). D. X-I, 21; A. II, 5 or 6 ; scales 5-47-9.
Body oblong, the back much elevated, ventral outline almost straight,
the depth rapidly diminishing from the first dorsal spine backward ;
profile rather steep and slightly convex ; mouth moderate, inferior,
the maxillary not reaching middle of eye, 3 ^3 in head;, teeth in
broad bands, the outer series above scarcely enlarged ; snout blunt,
longer than eye ; lower pharyngeals large, completely united, cov-
ered with many blunt molars and a small patch of conical teeth at the
outer posterior corner; gill rakers 4+12, very short, slender; dor-
sal spines high but slender, the fourth highest, 2 in head ; caudal
subtruncate ; second anal spine very large, about 2 in head ; pectorals
about as long as head ; scales large, those on breast small. Color,
grayish silvery, with 4 or 5 broad dark vertical bars, these disap-
pearing with age, usually no oblique dark streaks along rows of
scales above; fins blackish."

See J. & E., page 14-S2. One of 146 pounds caught at St.
Augustine. Up to 10 pounds this fish strongly resembles the Sheeps-
head. The very large ones non-edible.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

125

S^a»

^

Illustration. Page.

125. "EQUES LANCEOLATUS." 575 1489

Ribbon Fish ; " Head 4 ; depth 2| ; eye 4. D. XIV to XVI-I,

Guapena ; 53 • A. II, 5 ; scales irregular, with smaller ones inter-

Serrana. mixed ; about 12 of the anterior interneurals wedged

in between the occiput and the neural spine of the third vertebra ;
distance from tip of snout to first dorsal spine much less than depth
of body. Body deepest below first dorsal spine, rapidly tapering to
the narrow caudal peduncle ; profile very steep, little convex ; eye
little longer than snout ; preorbital broad, nearly as wide as eye ;
mouth small, slightly oblique ; maxillary reaching to below anterior
fourth of eye ; teeth all villiform in broad bands, the outer scarcely
enlarged ; preopercle with a fringed membranous border ; gill rakers
very short and slender, 6 + 9 ; anterior dorsal spines much elongate,
\y± in body; soft rays low, the membranes scaled to the tips; anal
small, its second spine 3 in head ; ventrals 1 }i in head ; pectorals
scarcely shorter. Color, light yellowish ; a narrow brownish band
from the corner of the mouth up across the middle of the eye and
meeting its fellow on top of head ; another broader band edged with
a narrow white line on each side from the nape down and back over
opercle, meeting its fellow between the ventral fins and extending to
the tips of their outer rays ; a third and still broader band, also bor-
dered by white, extending from the tips of the dorsal spines to their
base, then downward and backward to the tips of the middle caudal
rays ; body below this band silvery white, above it somewhat darker."

126

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

This fish is very rare. A few are caught in Indian River, in
seines, and while fishing for other fish, by sportsmen. A beautiful
frosted silver fish. Long, flat, and slim, silver color. Non-edible.
Simply a curiosity.

t£

^

\e

Illustration. Paq;e.

126. "LACHNOLAIMUS MAXIMUS."

597

1579

Weight to 8 pounds ; average, 3 to 4 pounds.
Caught : Rod and reel, hand line, No. 15 line,
5$ hook. Still fishing, bottom. Biscayne Bay to Key
West, channels and " patches." Edible, A 1. One of the very best
table fishes.

Hogfish ;
Capitaine ;
Perro Perro

Lady-fish ;
Spanish Lady-fish
Spanish Hogfish ;

PlIDIANO ;

Pkrro Colorado.

127. " HARPE RUFA." No illustration.

1583

Entirely different from the Lady-fish, Bone-
fish, which see, page 411, plate 179. J. & E.
say caught at Key West.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 127

v j : , .

Illustration. Page.

128. "CRYPTOTOMUS BERYLLINUS." 608 1625
Parrot Fish.

129. "SPARISIMA CHRYSOPTERUM." No illustration. 1636

Parrot Fish, Blue ; "Head 3^ (4*^ with caudal); depth 2}&

Vikja. (34). D. IX, 10; A. II, 9; scales 2^-24-6.

Body oblong ; a strong canine directed outward and backward toward
angle of mouth in upper jaw ; besides this about 3 smaller canines
toward front of jaw, chiefly turned forward ; upper lip covering about
*4 of upper jaw. Eye 5/3 in head; snout not obtuse, 2^ ; cheek
with a single row of 3 or 4 large scales; each pore of lateral line
ramose, many times forked, and covering most of the scale, the pores
more branched than in any other of our species ; 4 scales on median
line before dorsal. Caudal deeply lunate, the outer rays much pro-
duced, upper lobe the longer, twice as long as inner rays, as long as
head. Color, in life, bright blue, almost everywhere tinged with
green ; head and portion behind pectorals brighter ; an ill -defined
pale band on lower part of side ; dorsal and anal and middle of cau-
dal brick red ; edge of caudal blue ; ventrals bluish green ; pectorals
greenish yellow, their base red around a large black spot ; teeth
bluish ; jaws pale. In spirits the blue is more or less faded, leaving
the fish chiefly green, darker on head ; the red and yellow of fins
become pale grayish. According to Poey, there is usually a dark
blue horizontal stripe along sides behind pectoral fin."

130. "SPARISIMA VIRIDE." No illustration. 1638
Parrot Fish, Green ;
Dark Green Parrot Fish.

128 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Illustration. Pace.

131. "SPARISOMA FLAVESCENS." No illustration. 1639

Parrot Fish ; " Head Z}i (4 with caudal) ; depth 2f (3^).

Mud Parrot; d ix? 1Q . A Hj 9 . scales 2^-24-6; eye 5^

,T . , in head : snout 24. Body oblong : no canine teeth ;

VlEJA MUGER. a ' b '

upper lip covering most of upper jaw ; eye rather
small ; snout bluntish, cheek with a single series of about 5 large
scales ; tubes of lateral line dividing into about 5 branches, covering
most of the scale ; 4 scales on median line before dorsal ; pectoral
fin reaching past tips of ventrals ; origin of ventral spine under
middle of pectoral base ; caudal fin slightly lunate, the upper lobe
longer and narrower than the lower, 1 % in head ; the prolongation
of the outer rays varies somewhat and is greatest in the adult ; the
concavity of the fin is evident in specimens 3 inches long, but in the
very young the fin is truncate or even slightly convex. A few speci-
mens of 6 to 8 inches are in the collection in which the caudal fin
appears fairly truncate when spread open, the angles remaining acute.
In most cases, however, the fin is slightly concave. Color of adult,
in life, olivaceous, somewhat clouded with light and dark, and usually
flushed with pinkish, especially below, the edges of the scales more
yellow olive ; scales of belly and lower parts light orange red toward
their bases, giving a decidedly reddish cast ; dorsal mottled with
different shades of olive ; caudal creamy, mottled and barred with
darker orange, the markings more distinct on the outer edge ; ven-
trals and anal rich cherry red, mottled and barred with brown ; pec-
torals light orange red, the color formed by narrow orange cross
streaks on a paler ground, a light band across lower jaw, which is
otherwise brown ; teeth white ; a dusky or black blotch at base of
pectoral ; sometimes blackish spots on the scales at the base of the
soft dorsal. In spirits the red of body and fins and yellow on scales
becomes pale. Young individuals have small, bright, rosy spots on
sides of back ; 2 faint, darker, longitudinal shades along side."

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

129

132.

Parrot-fish ;
Guacamaia ;
Green Parrot-fish.

PSEUDOSCARUS GUACAMAIA."

Illustration. Page

617 1657

Parrot Fish ;
Bullon.

133. "SCARUS CROICENSIS."

No illustration.

1650

134. "SCARUS C^ERULEUS." 613 1652

(Illustration of jaws only.)

Parrot Fish ; Weight to 8 pounds ; average about 1 pound

Blue Parrot-fish ; or jess

LoRO ; Caught : Same as bottom small fish, Biscay ne

Bay, the Keys and Key West. No. 6 line, 1$
hook. Bait : Crawfish, Conch, Crustacea, or cut bait. Non-edible,
or barely edible.

135. "UPENEUS MARTINICUS." 859

Caught in Biscayne Bay, and Keys to Key

Yellow Goatfish • West. No. 6 line, No. 1 hook. Bait : Craw-

Salmonete. fish, Crustacea, cut fish. Still fishing, drifting.

Edible, B.

130 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Spade-fish ;
Angel-fish.

136. "CHiETODIPTERUS FABER."

Illustration. Page.

619

1668

"Head 3 to 3^; depth 1 to 1%. D. VIII-I,
20; A. Ill, 18; scales 60; caeca 4 to 6. Vertical
fins low in the young, falcate in the adult. Third dorsal spine more
than Y-2 in head, in adult about as long as from tip of snout to edge
of preopercle, its membrane blackish, more produced in the young ;
chin with a row of pores ; preorbital nearly as wide as eye ; pectoral
considerably shorter than ventrals, the first soft ray of the latter fila-
mentous. Color, grayish ; a dusky band across the eye to the
throat ; a second similar band, broader, beginning in front of the
dorsal and extending across base of pectoral to the belly ; a third
band, narrower, extending to middle of sides, from the base of fourth
and fifth dorsal spines ; a fourth broader band from the last dorsal spine
to the anal spines, the remaining bands alternately short and long ;

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

131

all of these bands growing obscure and disappearing with age ; ven-
trals black." Weight to 4 pounds; average, 2^ pounds.

These fish are of same family as the Angel-fish, but are sombre
hued and very plain. Caught from Norris Cut to Key West, occa-
sionally one farther north. Caught : Same as Angel-fish. Edible, C.

^rrr&VrW^

Illustration. Page.

137. "POMACANTHUS ARCUATUS." 623 1679
Angel-fish ;
Black Angel-fish ;
Chirivita ;
portugais.

132 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

NT?'

^£&gg.: ' : '--....

■■>.

-^.^

138.

Illustration. Page.

ANGELICHTHYS CILIARIS." 626 1684

Angel-fish ;
Isabelita.

" Head 3*4 ', depth \i/% ; eye 4}4 in head ; snout
2y2. D. XIV, 21 ; A. Ill, 21. Body oblong, oval;
anterior profile straight, steep, sharply convex in front of dorsal ; an-
terior dorsal outline and ventral outline nearly parallel ; jaws projecting.
Length of head equal to its depth from anterior margin of blue ring in
front of dorsal; the preorbital j/3 broader than eye, with 1 or 2 indistinct
spines ; preopercle with a strong, grooved, slightly curved spine at
angle, about as long as orbit ; 5 or 6 short, blunt spines with inter-
mediate minute ones on upper limb, the longest of these spines 6 in
the spine at the angle ; 2 or 3 short, strong spines on lower limb ;
interopercle with 1 or 2 short spines ; premaxillary very thick, its
width above equal to orbit ; a furrow from front of eye below nostrils ;
interorbital greater than preorbital, equal to distance between eye
and upper end of gill opening. Soft dorsal and anal falcate, the fila-
mentous tips reaching much beyond the caudal ; pectoral broad,
obliquely rounded, If in head; ventrals long, the spine long, \yi
in head, the rays slightly filamentous, not quite reaching anal, equal
to head ; caudal rounded, equal to head behind premaxillary ; lateral
line ceasing before reaching end of dorsal, the scales below

>

< o

"- r1

S g

Z 55

2 O

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 133

regularly arranged, those above irregularly. Ground color olive,
terminal half of scales on sides yellow, side of head yellowish
olive, top of head dusky ; a blue ring in front of dorsal surround-
ing a black spot containing a few pale-blue specks ; iris yellow,
blue above and below, upper jaw blue-black, some yellow at
corner of mouth ; lower jaw, lower side of head, and breast dusky
olive ; a dark blue margin to opercle much broader above than be-
low ; upper edge of preopercular spine pale blue ; edge of dorsal fin
blue black, a black blotch on last rays, the fin otherwise reddish or
orange, becoming paler toward tip of filament ; anal similar to dorsal,
but darker ; caudal entirely pale orange or clear lemon yellow ; pec-
toral lemon yellow, the base with a brown blotch bordered anteriorly
by a narrow blue stripe ; ventrals lemon yellow, somewhat dusky at
base."

Illustration. Page.

139. "ANGELICHTHYS ISABELITA." 1685

No illustration.
Angel-fish ; Weight to 8 pounds ; average, 2^ pounds.

Common Angel-fish (G.). U. S. F. Commission, 1896, says to 20
pounds. Caught : Still, bottom fishing ; rod and reel, No. 6 line,
No. 6 hook with gut snood. Bait : Cut Crawfish, cut Conch, small
shell fish out of shell, cut fish, Fiddler Crab. The natives of the
Keys grain them. By many considered the handsomest fish in the
world. Edible, C.

140. "BALISTES CAROLINENSIS." 632 1701

Trigger-fish; "Head Z% ; depth \%. D. Ill, 27; A. 25;

Leather Jacket; scales usually about 60 (55 to 63); about 35 scales

in an oblique series from vent upward and forward.
Turbot

Third dorsal spine shorter but stouter than the sec-
ond and remote from it ; plates on head similar to those on body ;
caudal lobes produced in adult ; soft dorsal high, its longest rays ele-
vated but not filamentous, in adult 1 ^ in head. Ventral flap large,
supported by several slender pungent spines, resembling fin spines.
Lateral line very slender, showing only as the scales begin to dry, its
course everywhere undulating and very crooked ; it extends from eye
backward to interspace between dorsals, then bends abruptly and
obliquely downward to opposite first third of anal, then forms a
V-shaped figure, returning back to level of middle of caudal peduncle,

134

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

whence nearly straight to base of caudal ; a branch from behind eye
extends obliquely downward and forward to the breast below pecto-
rals ; a cross branch at the nape connects the lateral lines of the two
sides. Color, in life, olive gray ; a more or less distinct darker cross
bar under front of second dorsal and 1 under last ray ; some small
violet spots on upper part of back ; usually a ring of blue spots,
alternating with olive-green streaks, about eye ; violaceous marks on
sides of snout ; first dorsal spotted and clouded with bluish ; second
dorsal pale yellowish with clear sky-blue spots separated by olive-
green reticulations, the spots arranged in rows ; blue markings all
fading in alcohol, leaving the olivaceous streaks; base of dorsal with
3 or 4 dark diffuse shades in the young ; base of pectoral bluish, with
olive spots ; anal colored like soft dorsal ; pectoral greenish. ' '

Trigger-fish
Old Wife ;
Old Wench ;
Cochino.

141.

Illustration. Page.

"BALISTES VETULA." No illustration. 1703

.

142. "MONOCANTHUS CILIATUS." 634 1714

" Head S}4 5 depth \yA ; young 1^. D. I, 30;
scales very small, without median crest. Spines
becoming longer on caudal peduncle, which has in
addition 2 or 3 pairs of strong spines curved forward, these prominent

Trigger-fish
Leather Fish
Lija.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 135

only in adults ; ventral flap longer than head, about y$ length of
body. Scales on ventral flap developed as flat plates, with their free
margins pectinate. Snout pointed, the upper profile concave. Dorsal
spine strong, nearly as long as head, armed behind with 2 rows of
retrorse barbs ; ventral spine small, rough. Color varying very
much with the surroundings of the fish, from dull olive gray to the
most vivid grass green ; the markings not well defined and not very
constant ; green, with white cirri on sides ; a whitish longitudinal
cloud behind pectorals ; a pale band downward and forward from eye ;
lower side of head with darker cross bands ; dorsal and anal pinkish,
with (usually 3) darker spots at base ; ventral flap edged with scarlet ;
caudal greenish, mottled with darker and pale ; some specimens show
neither red nor green shades, and have vague, dusky, longitudinal
stripes."

Illustration. Page.

143. "MONACANTHUS HISPIDUS." 635 1715
Turbot; "Head 3f ; depth 1#. D. I, 32 ; A. 32.

Trigger-fish ; Young slightly deeper ( 1 y2 ) proportionally than adult.
' Body rather deep. Jaws subequal ; eyes large, about

Leather Fish • ^ m snout- Gill opening about as long as eye, sep-
Horny Cony ; arated from the eye by an interspace nearly equal to
Lija. its length. Anterior profile slightly concave. Dorsal

spine somewhat shorter than snout, more than y2 head, inserted
above posterior part of eye, stout, rough, armed behind with 2 rows
of retrorse barbs ; first ray of soft dorsal often filamentous in the
adult (male?), its length varying from that of snout to that of depth
of body (longest among specimens seen by us is 1 from the Canary
Islands) ; pectorals small. Pelvic bone long, ending in a short, blunt,
movable spine, beyond which the abdominal flap does not extend.
Scales minute, each with a crest of about 3 prickles, those on caudal
peduncle villous, those on ventral flap larger, elongate ; no naked
areas ; no recurved spines on tail. Color, grass green or olive ; back
and sides with faint, irregular whitish spots; head plain; spinous
dorsal and caudal green ; second dorsal and anal translucent ; adult
less variegated ; dull olivaceous, mottled with dusky. Length, 10
inches." Weight to 4 pounds ; average about 2 pounds.

Caught among the Keys, 9 to 12 line, lfc hook. A game fish.
Bait : Crawfish, Crustacea, cut fish, Conch. Edible, C.

136 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Illustration. Page.

144. "LACTOPHRYS TRIGONUS." 641 1723

Trunk-fish ;
Chapin ;
Shellfish.

■

A^/'

145. "LACTOPHRYS TRIQUETER." 638 1722

" Head 4 ; depth 1\ ; eye 8 to 9 in total length,
4 to \y2 in height of side. D. 10 ; A. 10 ; P. 12 ;
scales 9. Carapace trigonal, without spines ;
breadth equal to y2 length of body in adults, greater
in young. Ventral surface of carapace convex
anteriorly, concave posteriorly. Back elevated, compressed, sides
joining at an angle of about 30 degrees. Carapace continuous behind
dorsal fin. Interorbital space concave. Upper surface of snout con-
cave. Teeth long, spike-like, 8 to 10 in each jaw. Scales of the sides

Trunk-fish .
Rock Shellfish
Drunken-fish ;
Chapin ;
Plate-fish.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 137

hexagonal, in young with striae radiating from center to angles of
each scale, in adult armed simply with tubercules, 9 to 10 in longitu-
dinal series from gill opening to tail, 8 in median line of ventral sur-
face, 8 between ventral keel and angle of back ; posterior dorsal
scute unarmed. Branchial aperture oblique, its length greater than
diameter of eye, descending before base of pectoral. Fins obtusely
rounded ; caudal of moderate length and rounded. Color, dark
brown, thickly studed with circular spots of yellowish white, each
about yi of an inch in diameter ; the position of these spots appears
to have no relation to the shape of the plates of the carapace ; ven-
tral surface lighter and spotless ; epidermis often abraded, leaving
the shell uniform tawny white ; lips, bases of the fins, and tail stem
brown like the ground color of the body. In dried specimens the
epidermis dries and loses its color, and the shell shows through with
a lighter shade. Giinther states that the lips, roots of the fins, root
of the tail, and tip of the caudal are black. (Goode.) Length, lOf
inches. Young, in life, light olive, covered everywhere above and
below with round darker spots of greenish blue about as large as
pupil ; fins plain ; caudal peduncle with a few spots."

Illustration. Page.

146. "LACTOPHRYS TRICORNIS." 639 1724

Cow-fish ; All of the so-called shell-fishes are usually caught

Cuckold ; while fishing for other fishes, and are only curiosities.

The meat is said to be sweet, but I will leave that to

persons who desire to try them.

147. "LAGOCEPHALUS L.EVIGATUS." 642 1728
Smooth Puffer.

148. "LAGOCEPHALUS PACHYCEPHALIA." 1728

Jug-fish. No illustration.

149. "SPHEROIDES SPENGLERI." 644 1732

Swell-fish. " Head 3. D. 7 ; A. 6. Head compressed,

Southern Puffer ; narrow ; interorbital space very slightly concave,
Swell Toad ; or finish ^th a slight median ridge, narrow,

about }£ as broad as eye, its width 5 to 6 in head,
2yi to 3 in snout, which is 2 in head ; profile of snout not steep. Body

138

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

variously prickly, sometimes smooth, usually a patch of minute spines
from occiput halfway to dorsal fin ; belly spinous to near the vent ; skin
of head, tail, and most of the skin of the sides smooth ; sides usually
with small dermal cirri, especially in the young, these not very con-
spicuous. Young examples have the back and belly covered with
rather large, not close set, stellate prickles as described in the origi-
nal account of Tetrodon nephelus. Of the larger individuals, some
have prickles only on the back, others on the belly only ; 1 or 2 only
on a small area behind the eyes near the median line, while the
majority of the largest are entirely smooth. There is no doubt that
these all belong to one species. The loss of the prickles is probably
to some extent dependent on age. Adult olive brown, with numer-
ous small light-bluish or greenish spots everywhere, many of them
forming ocelli around darker spots of the ground color ; numerous
scattered black spots as large as the pupil, one in axil below most
distinct ; some obscure dark spots along sides of belly, this region
being flesh color, with pale rivulations ; pectorals yellowish ; caudal
pale, usually with 2 dusky shades. Young, gray and olive above,
much mottled with blackish ; back with numerous irregular blue
spots ; iris coppery, the pupil green ; belly white, grayish brown
along the sides ; 12 round blackish spots along the boundary between
sides and belly ; a whitish bar at base of caudal ; caudal with 2 bars
of blackish olive and 1 of white ; other fins plain ; back and sides
with whitish cirri."

Illustration. Pafje.

Swell Toad; 150. "SPHEROIDES MACULATUS." 645 1733

Puffer ;

Blower.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 139

Illustration. Page.

151. "SPHEROIDES MARMORATUS." 1733

Blow-fish ; No illustration.

Spiny-back.

Swell-fish ;
Tambor ;
Globe Fish.

152. "SPHEROIDES TESTUDINEUS." 646 1734

^^^%^HȤ^'*^*?

153. "DIODON HYSTRIX." 648 1745

Porcupine-fish; " Head 3 ; depth 3#. D. 13 to 15; A. 13

Erizo ; to 15. Spines strong, dilated at base, with a pair

Puerco Espino. of basal grooves ; frontal spines not as long as
post-pectoral spines (in adults not y2 as long, about as long as eye) ;
post-pectoral spines longer than any others, especially in the adult,
usually about as long as pectoral fin, those of the posterior part of
back and tail short and broad, 3-rooted, and therefore not erectile ;
predorsal spines very short, 3-rooted, fixed or nearly so ; about 20
spines in a series between snout and dorsal ; upper lobe of pectoral
little longer than lower ; upper and lower part of tail with 2 or 3
pairs of 3-rooted, immovable, recumbent spines. Adult above every-
where covered with small round black spots, these largest in front of
dorsal, smallest on naked area about mouth ; white below ; fins all
more or less spotted in the adult, nearly plain in the young. Length
about 3 feet."

140

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH EISH

-tern.

*>*££*

x:

i54-

Illustration.

CHYLOMYCTERUS SCHCEPFI." 649

Page.

1748

Burr-fish ;
Common Burr-fish
Rabbit-fish ;
Swell-toad ;
Swellfish.

"Head 2^; depth 3. D. 12; A. 10.
Body a little broader than deep at gill open-
ings ; interocular space broad, concave ; eyes
large, lateral, nearly as long as snout, each with
a cirrus above it, longer than pupil ; gill open-
ing about as wide as eye, opposite upper anterior part of pectoral.
About 9 spines between eye and tail, their height equaling diameter
of pupil ; spines on belly much smaller, partly imbedded in skin ;
some of the posterior with cirri ; spines on caudal peduncle ; ante-
rior root of each spine little if any larger than others. Pectoral fin
deeper than long, the margin undulate, the upper lobe longest.
Color, greenish, belly pale; a round, black, ocellated spot above
pectorals, not as large as eye, a larger one behind pectorals, another
at base of dorsal, with a smaller one below it ; back and sides with
parallel black stripes of uniform width, about as wide as the inter-
spaces, those on the back running longitudinally, those on sides
obliquely downward and backward, those on front of head running
crosswise, a dark bar at base of dorsal ; belly pale in the adult, often
black in the young ; other fins plain. Length, 6 to 10 inches."

Blow-fishes. On page 425, U. S. Commission, 1895, in check
list of North American Fishes, Jordan & Everman, under "family"
name of "Puffers," give the various names of several varieties
of Blow-fish, Swell Toads, etc., which frequent the East Coast,
and which I have caught. I conclude to group them under the
general name of "Blow-fish," as above. They are the Toad-fish,
Smooth Puffers, Swellfish, Southern Puffers, Swell Toads, Tambors,

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

141

Puffers, Blowers, Globe-fish, and Blow-fish, Bladder-fish (local),
Porcupine Fish, etc. Weight to 3 pounds ; average about ^ pound.
Caught only when fishing for better fish. Non-edible. Worth-
less, foul fishes.

Sea Robin.

155. "PRINOTUS SCITULUS."

Illustration. Page.

769 2157

156.

Sea Robin ;
Flying Robin
Bat-fish ;
Volador ;
murcielago.

"CEPHALACANTHUS VOLITANS." 778 2183

"Head 4^; depth 5>4. D. II-IV, 8 ; A. 6 ; P.
28 -f 6. First 2 dorsal spines free, slightly con-
nected by membrane at base ; preopercular spine
reaching beyond base of pectorals, not to end of
occipital spine ; pectorals reaching nearly to base of
caudal in adult, very much shorter in young ; in the young the spines
of the head are much longer. Color, greenish olive and brown above,
of varying shades ; below pale, marked irregularly with dusky and
bright brick red, varying to salmon yellow ; pectoral fins mottled
with bright-blue streaks near the base and blue spots and bars toward
the tip ; their under sides glaucous blue, edged with darker ; caudal
fin with about 3 brownish-red bars; coloration extremely variable.
Length, 12 inches."

Only occasionally and accidentally caught, and only a curiosity.

142 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Illustration. Page.

157. "LOPHOGOBIUS CYPRINOIDES." 786 2209

Gobie. "Head3f ; depth 3§ ; greatest width 5^ to 6^. D.

VI or VII-10 or 11 ; A. 9 or 10; scales 26 to 30 ; vertebrae
1 1 -f- 1 5 ; eye 3 y2 to 4. Body short and deep, little compressed, formed
much as in Cyprinodon ; head naked, a prominent naked dermal
crest extending from above middle of eye to near front of spinous
dorsal ; interorbital width slightly less than diameter of eye ; profile
convex ; snout short, bluntish, about as long as eye ; mouth very
oblique, the gape slightly curved ; front of upper lip on level of lower
border of eye ; lower jaw somewhat projecting ; teeth in both jaws in
bands, the outer series erect and somewhat enlarged, those of the
inner series small ; scales large, reduced on breast and nape ; a few
scales on upper part of opercle ; median line before dorsal naked ;
dorsal spines produced in short filaments ; last rays of soft dorsal
reaching caudal; caudal rounded ; pectorals lanceolate, reaching be-
yond insertion of anal, the upper rays not silk-like ; skull very broad
and short, with low, median crest, highest behind ; double crests of
temporal region joining at the upper posterior angles of the eyes and
forming a bridge over the interorbital area, the crests ending abruptly
above the anterior part of the orbit, forming a decided angle, the
bridged interorbital leaving a large foramen in front of this angle.
Color, blackish green in life ; spinous dorsal black ; soft dorsal, ven-
trals, and anal dark, plain ; pectorals lightish, plain ; caudal finely mot-
tled. Length, 2 inches. Recently taken by Dr. Evermann in brack-
ish water at Biscayne Bay."

I believe this small fish to be the " Stuffonier " of Mosquito Inlet,
there used as Snapper bait.

158. "GOBIUS STIGMATICUS." (POEY.) 787 2224

Gobies. " Head 4 ; depth 5 to 6 ; eye 3}§. D. VI-12 ; A. 12 or
13; scales 27. Body a little deeper and less compressed than in
Gobius encoeomns. Anterior profile moderately decurved ; back slightly
arched ; skull flattish behind, much broader than in G. boleosoma,
with an evident median ridge ; mouth oblique, large, lower jaw thin
and flat, maxillary reaching to below pupil. Teeth above uniserial,
some of them enlarged and recurved ; lower teeth in a narrow band,
males sometimes with the hindmost of the outer series a strong, ex-
serted, recurved canine (present in Poey's type). Anterior half of

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

143

body scaled except region between nape and dorsal, which is naked ;
breast naked. Longest dorsal spine Yi head, sometimes elongate ;
caudal 3}4 in body. Color, light greenish, sides of male with 5 or 6
narrow, straight, whitish or yellowish cross bars, regularly placed ; 4
dark bars on head, 3 below the eye and 1 on opercle ; a small,
dark spot behind and above opercle ; ventral fins barred ; female with
a row of irregular dark spots connected by a dusky streak, the pale
cross bars obsolete. ' '

Page 2217, "The commonest of all shore fishes in tropical Amer-
ica." With few exceptions small fish, or Minnow, used as bait.

There are 120 species of this fish in Bulletin 47, but I describe
only two, as they are used in Florida only as bait, although some of
the species are edible in other localities. All the Gobies, except one
or two, are Minnows, and can be caught with cast nets and used as
bait. They are plenty in brackish water in Biscayne Bay.

Illustration. Page.

159. "ECHENEIS NAUCRATES." (PILOT.) 796 2269
Shark-sucker; This ig the i0Cally-called "Pilot Fish," attached

Regador • to Shark. Frequently as many as five or six on one

Sucking-fish. Shark when the latter is caught.

144

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

v^

•^

i^

wmymiM

**+*&£

m

^«.iv •' .'-.«.,. ;^ r-y

797a

Illustration. Page.

160. "REMORA BRACHYPTERA." 797 2272

Remora ; 797a shows the " sucker " by which the fish at-

Pilot Fish (G). taches and holds himself to Shark or other large fish.

Toadfish ;
Sapo ;
Slimer ;
Oyster-fish.

161. "OPANSUS TAU." No illustration. 2315
See Blow-fish, Burr-fish, etc.

Toadfish ;
Sapo.

162. "OPANSUS PARDUS."

See Blow-fish, Burr-fish, etc.

810 2316

163. "MERLUCCIUS BILINEARIS." No illustration. 2530

Hakes (or Whiting. G.); See Whiting, Kingfish. (Small.)

Silver Hake ;

Whiting ;

New England Hake.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 145

■

, . ' ,'

,,

Illustration. Paee.

164. "PARALICHTHYS DENTATUS." 922 2629

Flounders ; " Head %% to 4 ; depth 2| ; eye 6 in head ;

Summer Flounder. maxillary 2; pectoral 2i ; ventral S}4 ; caudal
peduncle 4; caudal lj{. D. 86 to 91 ; A. 65 to 71 ; lateral line
108 (tubes). Curve of lateral line 3^ to 4yi in straight portion ;
body ovate ; maxillary about )A, head, reaching past posterior margin
of eye ; mouth large, oblique, the gape curved ; canines large, coni-
cal, wide set; gill rakers comparatively long and slender, longest fz eye,
5 + 15 to 6 + 18 in number; interorbital area a rather flattish ridge,
in the adult about equal to vertical diameter of eye, narrower in the
young, forming a bony ridge ; scales cycloid, each with numerous
small accessory scales; vertebrae 11 + 30 = 41. Color, in life,
light olive brown ; adults with very numerous small white spots on
body and vertical fins ; sometimes a series of larger white spots along
bases of dorsal and anal fins ; about 14 ocellated dark spots on sides,
these sometimes little conspicuous, but always present ; a series of 4
or 5 along base of dorsal, and 3 or 4 along base of anal, those of the
2 series opposite, and forming pairs ; 2 pairs of smaller less distinct
spots midway between these basal series and lateral line anteriorly,
with a small one on lateral line in the center between them ; a large
distinct spot on lateral line behind middle of straight portion ; fins
without the round dark blotches."

165. "PARALICHTHYS LETHOSTIGMUS." No illustration. 2630
Southern Flounder.

146 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Illustration. Page.

166. "PARALICHTHYS SQUAMILENTUS." 923 2631

Flounder.

167. "PARALICHTHYS ALBIGUTTUS." No illustration. 2631
Gulf Flounder.

168. "ANCYLOPSETTA QUADROCELLATA." 925 2634

" Head 3& to 34; depth 1?<$. D. 70 to 76 ; A. 57 to

Flounder. /4 5 ' l 7 '

59 ; pores in lateral line 83 to 90 ; vertical series of scales
70 ; fourth or fifth dorsal ray longest, nearly 3/3 length of head.
Caudal li in head; ventral of colored side \yi. Body oval, com-
pressed, very deep ; an abrupt angle above eye ; mouth very small,
the maxillary reaching to below middle of orbit, 2}4 m length of
head ; teeth comparatively small, about 14 on each side of lower
jaw ; no strongly differentiated canines in either jaw. Eyes moder-
ate, separated by a very narrow, sharp, scaly ridge ; gill rakers
very short, thick, few in number, 2 -f- 6 or 7, the longest less than
}4 diameter of pupil ; scales rather small, very strongly ctenoid,
those on blind side also rough ; curve of lateral line rather low ;
tubes of lateral line simple ; dorsal beginning in front of pupil,
its anterior rays long and filiform, much exserted ; caudal short
and rounded, If in head ; ventral fin of colored side rather long,
as long as pectoral, *4 length of head ; anal spine wanting. Color,
brownish olive, with 4 large, oblong, ocellated spots, the first
above the arch of the lateral line ; the 3 posterior forming an
isosceles triangle, the hindmost being on the lateral line, the
ocellated spots are frequently furnished with a bright white center,
and the sides and vertical fins have often a few scattered white spots ;
a small, indistinct, dark spot on middle of each eighth or tenth ray
of dorsal and anal. Vertebra; 9 -(- 26 = 35."

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

147

XXv

ilk

Illustration. Page.

169. "PSEUDOPLEURONECTES AMERICANUS." 933 2647
Winter Flounder ;
Common Flatfish.

' :

,;":»><

h

r.

%Z,

5/

;

170. "LOPHOPSETTA MACULATA."
Flounder (Spotted. G.) ;
Window Pane.

938 2660

148 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

* X

■

Illustration. Page.

171. "ACHIRUS LINEATUS." 947 2697

Sole, American. "West Indies, Brazil, Florida Keys." "Speci-
mens received from Key West."

172. "ACHIRUS INSCRIPTUS." 2696

Sole, American. " Head 3^C in body > dePth l2A- D. 53 to 57 ;

A. 40 ; scales 75 to 80 ; interorbital width less
than eye ; upper eye in advance of lower. Pectoral fin present on
each side, that of the left side rudimentary, of a single ray ; that
of the eyed side with about 3 ; left ventral with 1 or 2 small rays, in
some specimens entirely absent ; right ventral joined to anal. Scales
smaller and less rough than usual in this genus, those of nape scarcely
enlarged on eyed side, those of blind side much fringed ; scales of
colored side with scattered hair-like appendages, some black, others
pale. Color, olivaceous ; head, body, dorsal, and anal fins covered
with a network of dark lines; traces of about 8 dark cross streaks
sometimes present ; caudal fin yellowish, nearly plain, or with a few
dark dots or reticulations, its base dusky. Vertebrae 8 20 = 28."
" Specimens taken at Key West by Dr. Jordan."

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 149

Illustration. Page.

173. "ACHIRUS FASCIATUS." 948 2700

American Sole; " The species is best known of American Soles.

Hog Choker. Head 4 in body ; depth 14. D. 50 to 55 ; A. 37

to 46 ; scales 66 to 75 ; eye 7 in head ; height of dorsal and anal
nearly 2; caudal 1^. Body broad, regularly elliptical; mouth
moderate, reaching just past front of lower eye ; right lower lip
fringed ; eyes very small, the upper one in advance of the lower ; nos-
tril ending in a wide tube, nearer lower eye than tip of snout ; inter-
orbital space with scales, more than y2 eye ; head and body scaled
with strongly ctenoid scales, none of them with hair-like appendages ;
lateral line nearly straight ; gill opening short, about twice as long as
maxillary. Origin of dorsal on tip of snout ; last few rays of dorsal
and anal rapidly decreasing, giving the fins a truncate appearance
posteriorly ; pectorals wholly wanting ; caudal rounded. Color,
dusky olive, more or less mottled, and with about 8 dark, vertical
stripes, these varying very much in width and in number ; vertical
fins with the membrane of every second or third pair of rays blackish,
besides dark cloudings at base of fin ; caudal with numerous longitu-
dinally oblong spots ; blind side often with round, dark spots, especi-
ally in northern specimens, usually immaculate in southern ones (var.
browni). Vertebrae 8 + 20= 28."

„ „ Weight to 10 pounds : average about 2

Flounders and Soles. ° l °

pounds. Caught with rod and reel, cut bait.
Do not take bait readily. 2% hook, No. 6 line. Are taken in Hali-
fax and Hillsboro rivers, at night. Sharpen a stick, carry a lantern
along the shores, in 6 inches to 2 feet water, and spear the fish with
the stick. Large numbers are caught at Ponce Park when wanted.
The Soles and Flounders are of same family. Edible, B.

150

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

%

Illustration. Page.

174. " OGCOCEPHALUS VESPERTILIO." 958 2737

Bat Fish ; I have never seen this fish.
Diablo.

I

i75-

CENTROPRISTES STRIATUS."

500

1199

Sea Bass • This fish goes by the local names of Sea Bass and

Black Sea Bass ; Black-fish, at Mayport, St. Augustine, and Ponce
Black-fish ; park. Not usually found south of latter point, but
Gardner caught one at Bears Cut, Biscayne Bay, win-
ter 1901. He has never caught one in Indian River.
Weight in Florida % to 1 J^ pounds. Caught with
No. 6 line, 1$ hook ; Crab or cut fish. Edible, A.

Tally-Wag ;
Haunabill ;
Black Will ;
Black Harry.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

BESUGO ;

Red Porgy ;
Pargo Colorado.

Illustration.

551

151

Paee.

1356

176. "PAGRUS PAGRUS."

This fish is also entered in my list among the
Porgies, but I repeat here in order to show there
are two Besugos. See below.

Besouga (G. ) ;
Spot ;
Goody ;
Post-croaker ;
Oldwife ;
Lafayette.

177. "LEIOSTOMUS XANTHURUS." 569 1458
(Repetition.)

This fish is also entered in my list as a Spot. He
is called Besouga at Ponce Park, New Smyrna, and
at Indian River Inlet. I repeat him here to put
the above on record. He is one of the many " Spots. ' '
Edible, A 1 ; which some of the other " Spots " are not.

152 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

. 4 I ' .

^

i78.

Illustration. Page.

552 1358

LAGODON RHOMBOIDES."

(Repeated.)

" Head 3± ; depth 2 to 22A ; eye 4.
D. XII, 11 ; A. Ill, 11 ; scales 10-65 to
70-17. Body elongate, elliptical; head
flattened, muzzle pointed, profile not
very steep; eye moderate, ly§ to \y2
in snout, 1 in interorbital ; mouth mod-
erate, maxillary not reaching front of
orbit, 3^ in head ; incisors \, all deeply
notched ; molars in two series in each
jaw ; gill rakers 6 + 13 ; dorsal spines
all rather high, the highest about 2 in
head ; caudal deeply forked ; second
anal spine not longer than third ; ven-
trals short and broad, pectorals moderate,
upper rays reaching past origin of anal.
Color, in life, olivaceous, the sides bluish-silvery ; a humeral spot
and traces of 6 vertical bars ; gilt stripes much less intense than in
Archosargus unimaculatus, much broader than the interspaces ; about
7 stripes below the lateral line, those above it more or less confluent ;
dorsal fin pale bluish, with a submedian gilt band and a gilt edging ;
caudal yellow, faintly barred ; anal bluish, with a medium yellowish

Sailor's Choice ;

Ronco Blanco ;

Ronco Prieto ;

Bastard Margaret ;

Pigfish ;

Hogfish ;

Pinfish ;

Bream ;

Chopa Spina (J. & E.);

Sailor's Choice ;

Spot (U.S. Commission, 1896,

pages 230, 245, plate 48) ;
Sailor's Choice ;
Pinfish ;
Shiny Scup (Bulletin U. S

Commission, 1897).

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 153

bancT; ventrals mesially yellowish ; pectorals plain. Length, 6
inches. ' ' Weight to 2 pounds"; average about ^ pound.

Caught : Rod and reel, still fishing, bottom ; No. 9 line, 1#,
2$ hooks. Bait : Cut Mullet, Crustacea. Edible, C.

This is the only fish I know as the " Sailor's Choice."

Illustration. Page.

179. "HiEMULON PARRA." 530 1297

(Repeated.)
Sailor's Choice ; (2) or " Head 3; depth 2^; eye large, 4

Key West Sailor's Choice. in head D XII, 17 ; A. Ill, 7; scales
5-50-14. Body comparatively deep, the back compressed and arched ;
anterior profile rather steep and convex, steep and nearly straight from
tip of snout to opposite front of eye ; here an obtuse angle is formed,
and to the base of dorsal there is a rather even curve. In other
specimens there is little or no prominence before eye. Snout com-
paratively high and obtuse, its length in specimens of moderate size
3 in head ; snout shorter in young specimens than in the adult, the
maxillary in the young extending farther back although proportion-
ately shorter ; mouth rather small for the genus, the maxillary usually
extending a little beyond vertical from front of eye, in young nearly
to middle of eye, its length 21 in head ; maxillary in adult barely
reaching front of eye ; jaws subequal, the lower slightly included.
Teeth rather strong, in moderate bands, the outer large, the antrorse
teeth of the posterior part of lower jaw well developed. Interorbital
space convex, its width 4^ in head ; preorbital rather deep, its least
breadth 5-| in head ; preopercle finely, but sharply serrate, the teeth
near the angle farther apart than the others, but scarcely larger. In
regard to the serration of the preopercle we find much variation
among our specimens, some of those from Cuba, corresponding more
or less perfectly to H. serratum, Poey, have the preopercle always
strongly serrate ; while others, certainly corresponding to H. acutum,
Poey, have the serrations very inconspicuous. The Key West
specimens are in this respect mostly intermediate, and none of them
show any other distinctive character correlated with the differences in
the preopercle. Gill rakers small, about 15 on lower part of arch.
Scales rather large, those above lateral line not especially enlarged,
arranged in very oblique series ; those below more nearly horizontal ;
soft fins well scaled ; series of scales from scapular scale reaching
fourth to sixth dorsal spine. Dorsal spines stout, the fourth highest,

154 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

1\ in head ; longest soft rays 3^ in head ; upper caudal lobe rather
longer, If in head; longest anal rays 2^ in head, reaching when
depressed beyond the tips of the last rays ; second anal spine stronger
and longer than third, 2|- in head, reaching when depressed nearly to
the tip of the last ray; ventrals If in head; pectorals short, 1|.
Color, in life, dull pearly-grayish ; belly plain grayish, each scale on
body above with a conspicuous spot of dull olive-brown, these forming
interrupted, oblique, and wavy streaks ; head not spotted ; mouth not
much red, usually faintly orange near the angle in young specimens,
a black spot on opercle under angle of preopercle ; iris gilt ; fins all
dull, blackish-gray, the ventrals more or less tipped with blackish.
Younger specimens have dark lateral stripes arranged precisely as in
H. macrostomum and H. rimafor, and also a dark blotch at base of
caudal. In the very young, the spots on the scales are indistinct."

"This species, which is not the Sailor's Choice of the South
Atlantic Coast, is abundant about Key West." (U. S. Commission,
1896, page 282.)

Weight, 2 pounds ; average, ^ pound. Caught : Same tackle
and bait as other small fish among the Keys, and at Key West.
Edible, C.

-•'

Illustration. I'ajje.

180. "FUNDULUS HETEROCLITUS." 273 640

Mud Fish ; This is a worthless fish, caught up the Miami River.

Mud Sucker (G.).

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

155

C :-

•r'^

Illustration. Page.

528

1295

H/EMULON ALBUM."

I have also put this fish in my list
among the Grunts. Weight, 8 to 10
pounds ; average, 2% to 3 pounds.
Caught in the channels of Biscayne Bay

and the Keys, with the usual tackle and bait used there, still or bottom

fishing for small fish. Edible, A.

Margate-fish ;

Market Fish ;

Jallao ;

Margaret Grunt (J. & E.)

182. PILCHARD.

I presume local name taken from English pilchard. Small fish,
used as bait at Key West.

183. STUFFONIER.

A small fish, caught at Mosquito Inlet and used as bait, especially
for Mangrove Snappers. I have not been able to classify him, but
presume he is a Gobie.

156 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH EISH

Illustration. Paejc.

184. "TAUTOGA ONITIS." 596 1578

Black-fish; The Tautog or Black-fish of the North. J. & E.

Tautog; state, " New Brunswick to Charleston, S. C." Some

Oyster-fish. people claim to have caught him in Florida. I think
confused with the " Sea Bass " Black Fish. Have never seen him in
Florida.

185.

_ „ This is not a fish, but locally among the Keys is

Cuttle Fish ; ' J ° J

Ink Fish. called by the above name. It is a Jelly Fish, so

called. Is caught in nets. I have caught them in

my landing nets. It is called Ink Fish, because when caught it

exudes a large quantity of dark purple liquid. It is simply a curiosity,

especially well to the south among the Keys. I mention it because

it is a curiosity, not from an angling standpoint.

186. CRAB.

_ _ „ This is a Crustacian, and only important to

Common Sea Crab. j r

the angler as bait. I need not describe it, as it
is well known. Edible.

187. SHRIMP AND PRAWNS.

Crustaceans, used as bait. About the best "all-around" bait for
use on the entire coast, but scarce below Mosquito Inlet. Everything
will take it.

188. CRAYFISH OR CRAWFISH.

This is not a fish at all, but is of the Crustacea order. To the
angler it is important only as bait, as it is the best " all-around " bait
from Biscayne Bay to Key West. It may be said that all the fishes
of that region will take it. The Key West market fishers use it more
than any other one bait. They cut out the meat to use, and hang
the remainder of the shell, antennae, head, etc., alongside their
boats in strings of two or more reaching nearly to the bottom, so as
to attract the fish desired, and it has that effect. It is grained
(speared) among the sponges, sea fans, and rocks, in the channels and

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 157

cuts, on the bottom, and under the mangroves along the shores. By
some people it is considered equal to the Lobster as food, as it belongs
to same order, but I do not consider it equal to the Lobster in edible
qualities. There are vast numbers of them caught and used as food
and bait between Biscayne Bay and Key West.

It is hardly germane to my subject, but I must digress a little from
the angler's standpoint, and call the reader's attention to the beauty,
wonderful complexity, and high organization (physically) of the
animal he is using as bait, the Crayfish.

Huxley, one of the great naturalists of our age, and the greatest
zoologist and biologist of any age, devoted a book of 381 pages and
81 illustrations to the description of the Crayfish. The title to the
book, "The Crayfish, an Introduction to the study of Biology,"
shows how important he considers the family.

In his preface he says : " My purpose, in the present work, is to
exemplify the general truths respecting the development of zoological
science which has just been stated by the study of a special case ; and
to that end, I have selected an animal, the common Crayfish, which
taken altogether is better fitted for my purpose than any other."
And : " The Crayfish is obviously a very complicated piece of living
machinery."

He quotes from Rosel von Rosenhof as follows : " Common and
lowly as most may think the Crayfish, it is yet so full of wonders that
the greatest naturalist may be puzzled to give a clear account of it."

158 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

CHAPTER III.

LIST OF BAITS.

Clams, Fiddler Crabs, Hermit or Soldier Crabs, Oyster Crabs,
Sea Crabs, Sand Crabs, called among the Keys "Sprite"; Stone
Crabs, Crayfish or Crawfish, the latter obtainable only from Bis-
cayne Bay, south ; Conchs, obtainable only from Lake Worth, south ;
Shrimp and Prawns, rather scarce south of Daytona.

Menhaden, Anchovies, Alewife, Sardines, Pilchards, Gobies,
small Mullets, Stuffoniers.

Cut Mullets, cut Sailor's Choice, cut Kingfish, cut Grouper, or
cut pieces of any other fish when the last mentioned four are not
obtainable.

Small Grunts, Porgies, Spots and other one-fourth to one-half
pound fishes, used whole for Sharks, Saw-fish, Amber Jacks, Barra-
cuda, Yellow Jacks, Sail-fish, and large Jewfish. Still fishing or
trolling.

I carry a can or two of canned Oysters, Clams and Shrimp, which
come handy at times, as starters, when I cannot readily get any of
the aforementioned baits.

In the account of the different fishes and localities I have indi-
cated, and will indicate, the appropriate bait to be used in each case.

ARTIFICIAL BAITS.

One each Nos. 4, 4^, 6, Skinner's fluted or silver-plated, or
nickel-plated spoons.

One each 3^ -inch and 4-inch calico phantom Minnows, and one
each 3^ and 4-inch silvered or white Minnows.

Six each 3-inch, 3^ -inch, 4^ -inch, 5-inch, 5*4 -inch block tin
squids for trolling for Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Kingfish, Group-
ers, Amber Jacks, Barracuda, and other large fishes. The measure-
ment is of the tin part of the squid only.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 159

Red and white cloth cut in strips, laid together four to five inches
long, fastened on to a 10$ hook, makes a fine trolling bait for Group-
ers and Bluefish ; and other fish take it well.

A long strip of Kingfish, cut to resemble a fish, fastened firmly
on a large hook, does well.

Some sportsmen use a piece of red cedar, cut to resemble a fish,
which is a good trolling bait. For Spanish Mackerel, the 3-inch
squid is the best of all.

160 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

CHAPTER IV.

LIST OF FISHING TACKLE.

In naming the tackle for each kind of fish I give the size of the
line and hook to be used. Please remember, however, that in fishing
in salt water you cannot know "what you will draw," that is, you
cannot usually know what kind, or size, fish will take your bait. You
may be fishing for Porgies, small or medium sized Snappers, etc., and
a Shark, Ray, or other large fish will take and walk off with your
bait, hook and line. Usually, if fishing for small fish you should
use small bait, as you are less apt to get hold of large fish than if
using a large bait. You will have to use the size and kind of bait and
tackle herein indicated for each fish and locality ; and if your fishes
are larger, or smaller, than you want, you will have to change your
hook and bait to meet the situation the best you can at the time. By
using a medium-size hook you will be able generally to handle a large
fish if one takes your bait, and you can change your hook to suit the
case. On the "patches" and reefs outside, you should always use
18 to 21 line, and 4$ to 6$ hooks, hereafter mentioned.

I advise that you provide yourself with the following tackle :

One fishing rod butt with cork covered handle, patent lightest
weight reel seat, and three full-length good cane joints ; each joint to
fit into the one butt, but tapering to different diameters at the tips.
Butt to be ii-inch, inside measurement, one joint ^-inch at tip, one
T3y-inch and one /»T-inch diameter. The total length of the rod
should not be over seven feet. If desirable, you can have each of the
joints made in two lengths instead of one, which will be easier to
travel with, as the rod can be packed in a good-sized trunk, or can be
carried in a canvas bag.

You thus have three rods of different weights and strengths, well
adapted to all the fishes of the East Coast, except Tarpon, Barracu-
das, Amber Jacks, Sharks, Rays, etc., etc., and the outfit should not
cost more than five to seven dollars, made of the very best materials.
If you desire to fish for the above mentioned large fishes, I would

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 161

advise you to buy a Tarpon rod of some one of the many tackle
dealers. The price varies from ten dollars to as high as you may
want to go. You will also need a Tarpon gaff, for landing the fish.

The next item is, one each Julius or Edward Vom Hofe reels,
3-inch and 2^ -inch diameter of plate, and a Tarpon reel, if you are
to fish for Tarpon, etc.; they are made in three or four different quali-
ties and prices. Or you can buy a No. 3 and No. 5 Frankfort reel,
made by B. C. Milam & Sons of Frankfort, Kentucky, which are all
metal, and are quadruple multipliers, while the Vom Hofe's are partly
rubber. The Frankforts are much higher priced.

Two spools each of 600 feet Hall's linen Tarpon or Bass fishing
lines, Nos. 9 and 18; and if you are to fish for Tarpon, etc., and
troll with rod and reel for Kingfish, Amber Jacks, etc., you will want
a spool of No. 21.

From 25 to 100 (a full box) each of Harrison's blued ringed,
Sproat hooks, 8$, 6$, 5$, 40, 3& 2#, 1£, and Nos. 2, 4 and 6. The
<fc hooks commence with 1$, the smallest size ; while the numbered
commence with the larger size, No. 1, and run to the smallest, No.
10. Say 25 each Nos. 4 and 7, which are really Minnow hooks. For
Tarpons, Amber Jacks, etc., a few regular Tarpon hooks and snoods,
and 25 each Nos. 3 and 4 Virginia hooks for Sheepheads. I use the
expression 10$ to indicate the size for large fishes other than Tarpon.

Egg-shaped sinkers, 25 each Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 ; these have
holes through them, through which the line is run with a wood tog-
gle made of half a match looped on at bottom of sinker about 14
inches above the hook and bait. As the line will run through the
sinker when you have a bite, it offers no resistance to the fish. Add
25 ordinary long sinkers, assorted sizes, as they come handy in some
kinds of fishing.

Brass box swivels, 6 each Nos. 1, 2, 3. These are to attach to
line when you troll with it, to prevent twisting and kinking.

A few thumb stalls to put on your thumb while playing large
fishes. These are made of cotton twine, knit in different sizes.

Shark hooks and chain, if you desire to fish for Sharks and large
Jewfish. Two or three sizes.

A few extra tips and guides for your rods, as you are sure to lose
some.

About 600 feet strong Cod line, for hand-line trolling for Spanish
Mackerel and Bluefish, and 20 feet or so of steel piano wire for

162 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

leaders, which should be about 3 feet each. The dealers have them
of proper length.

About 600 feet -^w white cotton line for hand line trolling for
Kingfish, Barracuda, Amber Jack, large Groupers, etc.

I have given the artificial bait to be used in trolling in my list of
baits.

One each 4 and 5-inch Barrel-shaped Cork floats, and one each 2
and 2^ -inch Egg-shaped Cork floats. These are necessary when
fishing over oyster beds in Halifax and Indian rivers, and in places
amongst the Keys, when over jagged coral reef bottoms. I do not
use a landing net, as it tangles the hook, and is superfluous if your
guide knows his business.

A tackle box, if you want one. Do not buy one made of or
lined with tin, as it will rust in " no time " and give you trouble ;
one made of wood, plush lined, is the only one fit for salt water.

At the close of this chapter the reader will find illustrations of
nearly all the above tackle.

The above list is calculated as ample to last one person through a
season of three or four months on the coast ; but each person will, of
course, judge for himself as to his prospective stay, and buy or leave
out accordingly.

I give the list because it is an important and necessary factor in
the "how" to fish on the East Coast.

I strongly advise you to buy no "Cheap Johnny " or "good as "
fishing tackle, as it will surely bring you to grief. Remember, that
salt-water fishes are two or three times (if not more) as strong,
weight for weight, as those of fresh water, and need the very best
tackle. I have none but a trading acquaintance with any makers of,
or dealers in, fishing tackle, and in mentioning brands, have been
governed entirely by my experience of sixty-four years as an angler,
which has taught me to buy the best tackle I can get.

I do not know "Mr. Sproat," if there is, or ever was, such a
person, but must say I prefer the fbhhook bearing that name to any
other shape, for each and every species of fishes I have ever caught,
from Minnows and one-ounce Brook Trout up to Tarpon.

And I have never found any make of hooks which suits me as
well as Harrison's.

In advising the use of Virginia hooks for Sheepsheads I conform
to the usual custom, but the Harrison " Sproats " will do just as well.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

E. VOM HOFE, NEW YORK.

163

NEW FLUTED BAIT

mm

mm

3 VI mJ

4 i% 4% 5

n , . ^ . „ .. -15 -15 -15 -15 -15 .15 .15 .15 .15 each.

Gold, Best Quality.... $0.25 .25 .30 .30 .30 .40 .40 .50 .50 "

164

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Nos.

$0.35

.35

E. VOM HOFE, NEW YORK.

BUEL'S SPOON BAIT.

l
.30

.30

3

.30 each.

CELEBRATED PHANTOM MINNOW.

Made of Silk, coated with rubber, very light, desirable Bait for Black Bass and Pickerel.

Nos. 1

Length of Minnow \Vx

$0.50
Extra strong treble hooks..

E. VOM HOFE'S NEW WHITE PHANTOM.

The most Killing Bait for Black Bass.
Nos. 1 2 3 4 5 [6

1 2 3

Length of Minnow Wx 2% 2%

$0.50 .50 .50

5
.50

4Jf

.65

.. inches.
.85 each.
1.25 "

4K inches.
.75 each.

E. VOM HOFE'S SOLE SKIN PHANTOM.

No. 5.

Nos. 1 2 3 4 5 6

Length of Minnow Wx 2Vx 2% 3 3^ 4 AYx 4]4 inches.

$0.70 .70 .70 .70 .70 .80 .90 1.00 each.

THE SILVER SAND EEL.

Bod}1 made of Rubber.

Nos. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Length of Minnow 2% 2% 2% Z% 3% 4 4M inches.

$0.50 .50 .50 .50 .50 .50 .50 each.

THE NEW "QUILL" DEVON MINNOW.

Nos. 3 4 5 6

Length of Minnow Wx 2 2% 2% inches.

$0.65 .75 .90 1.00 each.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

165

E. VOM HOFE, NEW YORK.

SQUIDS.

BLOCK TIN BURNISHED, WITH PATENT SWIVEL.

1

Nos. 8
Length of Tin 2%

$0.15

7 6 5 4 3
2% 3 3*4 4 4l/2 5 5% inches.
.20 .25 .30 .35 .40 .45 .50 each.

ROUND BONE, MOUNTED WITH SWIVEL.

Length 2 2%

$0.20 .25

3 zy2 4 4%

.30 .35 .40 .45

5 b% 6 inches.
.50 .55 .60 each.

ROUND WOOD, MOUNTED WITH SWIVEL.

Length 4%

$0.40

5*A
.50

6% inches.
.60 each.

ni:

PEARL SPANISH MACKEREL SQUID.

( No. j. ) Same size Hook as Block Tin.

Nos. 7 6

Length of Pearl 3# &A

$0.75 .85

With Pearl Spinners 1.40 1.50

5

4

3

4%

4K

5 inches

1.00

1.15

1.25 each.

1.75

2.00

2.25 "

COLUMBIAN SWIVEL AND PEARL, BLACK
BASS AND WEAK FISH SPINNER.

On O'S. Hook.

No. 1% % % % % % % % %

$1.75 1.50 1.80 1.10 .90 .80 .70 .65 60 each.

On TREBLE HOOKS, same price as above.

166 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

E. VOM HOFE, NEW YORK.

SWIVELS

BRASS TO BUCKLE.

BRASS AND STEEL SPRING.

ADJUSTABLE SWIVEL— NO. 1.

BRASS SPREADER.

CROSS LINE SWIVEL.

BRASS TRIPLE ACTION
—NO. 1.

Nos. %

Best Box Swivel (Brass or Steel)

" Brass Adjustable Swivel

" " Triple Action Swivel

" " and Steel Spring Swivel. ..

" Steel Hook Swivel

" Brass to Buckle Swivel

" Barrel Swivels, bronzed

Rotary Link Swivel

Brass Swivel Spreader

Cross Line Swivel, Size 1 and 2

%
.55

%
.45
1.10
1.50

%
.35
.80
1.00
.90
.65

.55

Vo
25
65
80
75

.45
75

.50
.each

ltolO
.15 per dozen.
.55
.65
.60
.35

.40
10 cents, 3
6 " 5
5 " 6

for .25
" .25
" .25

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

167

E. VOM HOFE, NEW YORK.

PATENT SWIVEL SINKERS.

Nos. % % % 1

Weight, oz 6^ 6 3^ 2&

$1.50 1.25 1.15 1.00

Nos.

Weight, oz.

$0.60

.60

9

o

3

4

5

6

2K
.90

m

.80

.80

J*

.70

% each.

.70 per dozen.

10
%
.55

11

3
33

.50

12

A

.50

13
i

33

.45

14

B'j each.
.45 per dozen

168 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

THE H. H. KIFFE COMPANY, NEW YORK.

FISH ROD TIPS.

It 12 /3 ft

15 16

Nickel-plated, Nos. 11 to 18, 5c. each.

Nos. 21 22 23 24 25 26

Size of Ferrule, inches %2 % %2 5/U Y% %.

Nickel-plated 15c. each. German Silver 30c. each.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

169

THE H. H. KIFFE COMPANY, NEW YORK.

FISH ROD TIPS.

12 3 4

AGATE BASKET TIPS.

German Silver Mounted.

All sizes 50c. each.

SOLID. SCREW-OFF.

AGATE TIPS. (German Silver Mountings.')

Size of Ferrule, x%, %,&, Hi K inch. Screw-otf with extra Ferrule, 85c. each. Solid, 65c. each.

"VOM HOFE'S" PATENT RUBBER AND GERMAN SILVER, FIRST
QUALITY MULTIPLYING STEEL PIVOT REELS.

Back sliding Click.
(Steel click cog, spring
and ratchet. ) With
patent adjusting pivot
cap.

170 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

E. VOM HOFE, NEW YORK.

S shape Balance
Handle, Sliding Oil
Cap, E. vom Hofe's
Sliding Click Drag.
Patented January
23, i88j.

No 2.

No 4(M. 4. ty% inch, diameter of Plate.

va. m " " •

3. 2K " " ■

2. m " " ■

1. 3

MILAM & SON, FRANKFORT, KY.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

E. VOM HOFE..NEW YORK.

171

S shaped Balance Handle to screiv off, Sliding Oil Cap, E. vom Hofe^s Sliding Click
Drag. Patented "January 23, 1883.

No. %.

No. 481. %. ZYs inch, diameter of Plate.

%. m "

%. 3y8 •< « •• ,

%. W " " " ■

%. 4K " " " .

The above Reels are strong and durable. For their lightness and free running
qualities they are surpassed by no other make.

The No. % Reel being specially adapted for Tarpon Fishing.

172

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

E. VOM HOFE, NEW YORK.

CORK FLOATS.

BEST BOUND EGG.

Length of Cork 1 \u xy «* 8 2y %% 3 sy scinches.

10 12 15 18 20 25 25 cts. each.

SH 8 inches.
30 35 cts. each.

BEST BOUND BARREL-^ Len&th of Cork, 2^ 3 V/2 4 4^ 5

< , T 10 12 15 20 20 25 SO 3

CELLULOID FLOATS-Egg Shape jLenjjthof Celluloid. 1^ IX W 2 2y2 inches.

CELLULOID QUILL FLOATS^ Len^> of Celluloid

2%

4 4J^ inches.
12 35 cts. each.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 173

SPROAT — HIGHEST GRADE, BLUED AND RINGED. ENG.

Quality ATo. j6joi^.

«

174

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

E. VOM HOFE, NEW YORK.

ROD MOUNTINGS.

FINE GERMAN SILVER BELL GUIDE.

5 4 3 2 1 %

German Silver Bell Guide, Vn to 6 15 cents each, $1.50 per dozen.

Not less than l/2 dozen at dozen rate.

E. VOM HOFE'S ACME GUIDES.

These Guides are by far superior to any ever placed before the public. For their Neat-
ness, Lightness, Finish and Easy Rendering of the Line they are unsurpassed. (None
Genuine unless name, E. vom Hofe, is stamped inside of Guide.)

Best Brass Acme Guide. - 1 to 8 10 cents each, $1.00 per dozen.

Best Nickeled Acme Guide, " 15 " 1.50 "

Best German Silver Acme Guide, " 20 2.00 "

Not less than Y± dozen sold at dozen rates,

E. VOM HOFE'S AGATE GUIDES.

IM German Silver Agate Guides, Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

No. 1, $1.00; No. 2, 90c; No. 3, 80c; No. 4, 70c.
~™\'/7fi each.

«««^"™*^ German Silver Agate Guides and two bars, Nos.

1 and 2, SI. 75 each.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

175

E. VOM HOFE, NEW YORK.

EGG SINKERS.

Weight, oz.

Nos. 1 2
10J< 6%

S0.70 .GO

3
.45

4
.35

.15

1 Jfi each.

.10 .10 per dozen.

For the benefit of my readers in the South and West, and the
dealers in those sections, I will say that the Simmons Hardware Com-
pany of Saint Louis keep a full assortment of Hall's lines, Harri-
son's hooks, the Vom Hofe's and Milam's reels, and a full line of all
other first-class fishing tackle.

I mention the above because the best brands are not always
obtainable in the smaller cities and towns. If your local dealer does
not carry the brands or articles you want he can order as above and
be sure of getting them.

176 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

CHAPTER V.

LIST OF FISHING LOCALITIES ON THE EAST COAST.

Before entering upon " where to fish," I wish to state, and empha-
size the fact, that the season of the year, and the weather at all
seasons, must be reckoned with by the angler, as they have a most
decided effect upon fishes as well as upon all other animals.

It does not follow that because you have visited a certain place at
one time and had abundant success that you can at any time after-
ward visit the same place and do well, unless you happen to meet
like conditions, especially in the weather and tides. As a general
statement for the entire coast, at the beginning of a "Norther," or
during its continuance, you may as well "hang up your fiddle and
your bow," as regards the greatest variety of fishes, still or bottom
fishing ; and generally an unusual cool or cold winter lessens the
number of fishes caught with hook and line very materially.

I have known winters during which there were very few fish caught
in the months of January and February at Mosquito Inlet and Indian
River Inlet, while during the preceding and succeeding winters the
anglers had great success in the same months.

From Jupiter Inlet south the above does not hold good to the
same extent, owing, I presume, to the proximity of the Gulf Stream
to the shore line, as it comes very near to the shore at Jupiter, and
from there gradually leaves it until at Biscayne Bay it is four to five
miles off shore ; still, it makes quite a difference all the way down.
I have, however, been at the cuts and passes, south of Miami, many
times when I had difficulty in getting enough fish to eat ; while after
two or three warm days I could " load a boat " at the same places,
if I desired.

There are, however, some exceptions to the above, as Kingfish,
Spanish Mackerel, and some of the other fishes will take a troll out-
side Biscayne Bay and north to Jupiter just about as well (and I have
sometimes thought better) in cool weather as in warm ; and the same
is true with Bluefish in Lake Worth, and inside at Jupiter. I have
often trolled in Lake Worth in cold weather for Bluefish and have

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. Ill

done well ; this was the case before and after the " freeze " of Feb-
ruary 8, 1895.

The tides also must be reckoned with by the angler, especially on
the bars, and in the passes, inlets, and creeks, leading from the inside
waters out into the ocean.

In all of them, from the north end of Biscayne Bay to Mayport
(mouth of the St. Johns River) on the north, more fish can usually
be caught on the last two hours of the ' ' ebb ' ' and the first two
hours of the "flow" than in all the balance of the day; this is a
well-known fact among all sea-fish anglers, North and South. How-
ever, as you go south from Miami the above is not quite as impor-
tant as to the north, and its effect lessens very materially among the
inside waters of the Bay of Florida, of which Biscayne Bay is really
the northern end. And as you get beyond the influence of the tides
coming in at Mosquito Inlet and Indian River Inlet, the fishing is
not so much affected.

It is well for me to here explain that the openings from the inside
waters out into the Atlantic Ocean are called by many different names,
as follows, viz : The mouth of the St. Johns River is called "St.
Johns Bar"; at St. Augustine, the opening is called "Saint Augus-
tine Inlet "; then, to the south, the next is " Mosquito Inlet "; then
" Indian River Inlet," with " Fort Pierce Cut " (now closed), "Nig-
ger Cut," "Garfield Cut," and " Blue Hole Cut," leading from the
river to the inlet ; then, twenty miles south, "Gilbert's Bar"; then
"Jupiter Inlet" (now closed), "Lake Worth Inlet," " Hillsboro
Inlet," and " New River Inlet." Then, from Biscayne Bay, " Norris
Cut," " Bears Cut," " Cape Florida Pass," " Soldier Key Passes,"
"Ragged Keys Passes," " Sands Cut. " The next ones are called
creeks, as "Caesar's Creek," " Broad Creek," " Angel Fish Creek,"
and " Tavernier Creek," the latter at south end of Key Largo.

From the latter point the openings are called channels, such as
"Upper Matacumbe Channel," "Boca Chica Channel, " etc., etc.

At the close of the list of " Fishing Localities " I have placed a
list of hotels and boarding houses, nearly all of which are taken from
the folder of the Florida East Coast Railway, season of 1900-1901,
entitled " East Coast of Florida Hotel List and Information Folder,"
that Company having kindly given me permission to use the same. I
also desire to acknowledge my obligation to the same Company for
the use of the map which is a part of this book.

178 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

CHAPTER VI.

MAYPORT, MOUTH OF SAINT JOHNS RIVER.

This place is about twenty miles east of Jacksonville, on the
Florida East Coast Line.

The best season here is from April 1st to November 1st. The
fishes are, Mullet, Channel Bass, Spotted Sea Trout, Drum, Sheeps-
head, Cavalle, Bluefish (small and medium size), Blackfish (Sea Bass,
not the Tautog), Whiting, Croaker, Yellow Tail (the Mademoiselle
Yellow Tail), Pigfish, Sailor's Choice, Spots, Flounders, Sharks,
Rays, Catfish and Shad ; the last named, during the winter, caught
with nets and seines.

From November 1st to April 1st, Sheepshead, Blackfish, Whiting,
Drum, Sailor's Choice, Flounders, Pigfish, and the foul fishes, such
as Sharks, Rays and Catfish, are caught, but in far less numbers than
between April 1st and November 1st. After June 1st, and during
the summer months, the Tarpon frequents the river for a short dis-
tance above the bar, and Pompano are caught during the same time
with cast nets and seines, mostly in the surf outside.

The best fishing is at the jetties, standing on the rocks, or a few
feet from them in a rowboat, or small sailboat ; this especially for
Sheepshead and Blackfish, but while after them you are apt to catch
any of the others. In fishing, especially for Channel Bass and Whit-
ing, you want to fish in the swash channels and on or near the sandy
bars or bottoms. In September and October, however, the Channel
Bass are plenty and will take the bait almost anywhere inside the bar,
and especially surf fishing, that is, standing on the beach, or wading
out a short distance, casting your bait out as far as you can into the
surf. This is one of the most successful methods of Channel Bass
fishing on the coast from Mayport south to Gilbert's Bar. On most
beaches you will need a pair of hip rubber boots, or a regular
mackintosh wading suit. Some sportsmen prefer to wade without
them. This method of fishing can be done with hand line, or rod
and reel, as each sportsman may prefer. In August, September and
October, Mayport is one of the very best localities on the East Coast

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 179

for Channel Bass, large and small. Large-mouth Black Bass are taken
in nearly every fresh-water stream emptying into the St. Johns from
its mouth to its source, some of them near Mayport.

ATLANTIC BEACH.

This place is seven miles south of Mayport, is the site of the
new Continental Hotel of the Florida East Coast Hotel system, and
is, of course, a railroad station. Channel Bass can be caught here
during the summer months, either off the pier, " heaving and haul-
ing," as the hand-line method in the surf is called, or with rod and
reel, or by same methods in the surf. Occasionally while fishing for
Bass you will get some of the other fishes mentioned at Mayport.
Pompano can be taken in nets through the summer months.

Sportsmen staying here can take the train to Mayport, at several
different hours during the day, and can "fish the tide," or remain
longer if they please, and return to the hotel for dinner ; or they can
drive to and from Mayport, if they prefer.

SAN PABLO OR PABLO BEACH.

This place is three miles south of Atlantic Beach, on the railroad,
and has long been an " all-the-year-round " resort. The fishing is
the same in the surf as at Atlantic Beach, with the same facilities for
the trip to Mayport. I was there about the middle of May this year,
1901, when the hotel was being supplied with Pompano caught in
the surf with nets.

180 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

CHAPTER VII.

SAINT AUGUSTINE, THIRTY-SEVEN MILES FROM
JACKSONVILLE.

The best season here is from March 15th, or April 1st, to
November 1st, and the fishes are the same as at Mayport. From
November 1st to April 1st the same fishes are caught, but in less
numbers.

The best ground is in the North River, in the inlet alongside of
the jetties near the outside, on the beach, surf ''heaving and haul-
ing," or with rod and reel. In the river north or south of the
bridge, the north preferred, for Drum and smaller fish.

From the Matanzas and Sebastian River bridges. At the latter
bridge there is usually very good fishing on the incoming tide, for
small Bluefish, small Spotted Trout, and Yellow Tails (the small, or
Mademoiselle), and occasionally a Channel Bass or Drum is taken.
Whiting and small Blackfish are very numerous, but run quite small.
Sheepsheads are quite plentiful around the jetties. The fishing in the
river is done from the sailboats, of which there are so very many for
hire, by the hour or day. Rowboats can be hired, but the distance
to North River and the jetties is a long row.

A very pleasant way of spending the day at St. Augustine is to pro-
vide yourself with a cheap cooking outfit, consisting of a wire grid-
iron, frying pan, coffee pot, and cups and saucers, plates, knives and
forks, spoons, etc. Go to Corbett's and buy some Oysters, or you
can depend upon picking up all the " Coon " Oysters you will need.
Take one of the sailboats, go to the North River, or other place
recommended by the boatman. Catch your fish, land and cook them
with such other edibles as you choose, and roast your Oysters in
their shells over a wood fire. Oysters cooked in this way suit me
better than in any other style, but, as I have before said, "tastes
differ." Try it once and see what your judgment is. Oyster
roasts are quite a feature at St. Augustine from November to March
or April.

At Matanzas Inlet, eighteen miles south of St. Augustine, there

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 181

is very good fishing, with a larger proportion of Channel Bass and
Sheepsheads than near the city ; and when the Bass are running, good
success may be expected all along the beach from opposite the city to
the inlet, surf fishing.

Boats can be chartered for the trip to the inlet at reasonable rates.
Some seasons a steamboat makes regular trips.

182 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

CHAPTER VIII.

ORMOND ON THE HALIFAX RIVER.
ORMOND BY THE SEA.
ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE MILES SOUTH OF JACKSONVILLE.

Here the best season is the same as at St. Augustine, and the fishes
are Channel Bass (usually quite small), Sea Trout, Sheepshead, Mullet.

The fishing is mostly done by walking to and fro on the bridge,
with rod and reel, trolling with phantom Minnow, spoon, live Min-
now, Shrimp, or cut Mullet, or from the bridge, still fishing, with
Shrimp, Fiddlers or other Crustacea bait, for Sheepshead. A moder-
ate number of fishes can be caught here all the year round, but, as
stated above, the best season is from April to November.

The Tomoko River and Smith's Creek, each about four miles
north from Ormond, afford some Large-mouth Black Bass fishing, and
the rivers are reached by launches from Ormond.

At Ormond-by-the-Sea, or Ormond Beach, there is fair Channel
Bass fishing in the surf, hand line, or rod and reel ; and Pompano run
there through the summer months.

I think it well to here say that the term "river," as applied to
the so-called Halifax, Hillsboro, and Indian rivers, is a misnomer.
They are salt-water lagoons, bays or arms of the sea, with a few fresh-
water streams emptying into them ; and are connected and continuous
from four miles north of Ormond to Jupiter, counting the Haulover
Canal (one-half mile long) between Mosquito Lagoon and Indian
River as part of their water, which it really is. They are navigable
for light-draught boats (say three feet) the entire distance of 182
miles (railroad measurement). They have four inlets from the Atlan-
tic Ocean, namely, Mosquito, Indian River, Gilbert's Bar, and Jupi-
ter, the latter temporarily closed.

DAYTONA, WEST SIDE OF THE HALIFAX RIVER.
ONE HUNDRED AND TEN MILES FROM JACKSONVILLE.
Season about the same as at Ormond, but the best fishing com-
mences a little earlier and lasts longer.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 183

Very many sportsmen, and some colored market fishermen, troll
from the North and South bridges, with Shrimp, Prawn, phantom,
spoons and cut bait, and still-fish with the above natural baits and
Crabs and Fiddlers. Shrimp, Prawn, Fiddlers and Mullet are usually
kept for sale by a colored man near west end of South Bridge. The
fishes are more numerous in species than at Ormond, and are as fol-
lows, viz : Mullet, Channel Bass, Bluefish, Sheepshead, Tripple Tail,
Drum, Cavalle, Whiting, Flounders, Sailor's Choice, Catfish and
other foul fishes.

The Tripple Tail, a game fish, and one of the very best edible
fishes, is caught off the bridge around the spiles, up to thirty pounds
weight. The colored brothers here call him " Chofa," and " Chopa. "
Many sportsmen prefer to fish near the bridges, from rowboats, which
is the case with myself. During October, 1900, I spent much of the
time at Daytona, having Professor Walker as guest on my boat. He
and Capt. Gardner caught sixty-five Spotted Sea Trout in one day,
from rowboat, anchored at different places, east and west, and usually
about 100 feet south of the South Bridge. All rod and reel, Shrimp
bait. I caught twenty-five Trout on each of several days. During
the month we caught there Bluefish, Channel Bass, Sheepshead, Sail-
or's Choice, etc. There is use for fish at Daytona, in the absence of
which we would not have caught so many ; only fished two or three
hours at a time and not every day ; and possibly struck it better than
we can again.

On the ocean beach opposite Daytona, at Sea Breeze Pier, there
is good Channel Bass fishing between April and November, and occa-
sionally fair catches between November and April. One party caught
seventeen off the pier one day in May of this year, 1901. The surf
fishing from the beach is good there during the proper season.

Trolling for Channel Bass and Sea Trout with rowboat, sailboat
or launch, between Daytona and Ponce Park on Mosquito Inlet,
twelve miles south, meets with more or less success, depending upon
the season and weather.

PORT ORANGE.

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN MILES SOUTH OF JACKSONVILLE.

This place is situated on the west bank of the Halifax River,
five miles south of Daytona and same distance north of Mosquito

184 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Inlet. Seasons and fishes the same as at Daytona, with the addition
of some of the smaller varieties caught at Ponce Park mentioned
below. The fishing is done mainly from rowboats.

A network of salt-water creeks begins here and continues on
south nearly to Oak Hill on Mosquito Lagoon, a distance of twenty-
two miles, which creeks in their windings form islands, on which
there has been a growth of mangrove bushes, which were killed
by the freezes of 1886 and 1895. A new growth has started, which
in time will cover the island, unless frozen out again.

Beyond New Smyrna, south nearly to Oak Hill, there are islands
on both sides of the main river, which is there called the Hillsboro.

Port Orange is very near good Channel Bass and Sea Trout
ground, as well as that of many of the smaller fishes; fine trolling
ground, both north and south of the village.

PONCE PARK AT MOSQUITO INLET.

Flag Station, Spruce Creek, two and one-half miles distant, and
120 miles from Jacksonville.

Regular station for Ponce Park, New Smyrna, five miles distant
south, and 125 miles from Jacksonville.

This place is on the peninsula (so called) on the east side of
Halifax River, and faces Mosquito Inlet on the south and southeast.
Here all the salt water of Halifax River flowing to the north and
that of the Hillsboro River flowing to the south enters from the
Atlantic Ocean ; the Halifax having three fresh-water tributaries — the
Tomoka, Smith Creek, and Spruce Creek,, the latter directly opposite
Ponce Park.

Owing to the above conditions the fishing season here is longer
than farther to the north or south (until Indian River Inlet is reached),
with a greater variety of fishes ; and owing to presence of fresh water
there are vast beds of Oysters, many of them of the very best quality.

The best season is from March 1st to December 1st, but during
an average warm winter it is very fair all winter. Quite cold weather
interferes here, as it does everywhere on the coast, except with a
few of the fishes. Nearly all the fishing is done from rowboats, and
within one-fourth mile, or even less, to three miles from the hotels ;
sailboats and launches, therefore, are unnecessary for this purpose.

The fishes caught are: Besougas, Black Bass (up Spruce Creek),

ON THE EAS7 COAST OF FLORIDA. 185

Blackfish (Sea Bass), Bladder-fish, Bluefish, Bream (up Spruce
Creek), Catfish, Cavalle, Channel Bass, Croaker, Drum, Flounders,
Groupers, Gulf-fish, Jewfish, Ladyfish, Mullet, Moon-fish, Needle-
fish, Mutton-fish (not the Pargo variety), Pigfish, Pilotfish, Pompano
(during spring and summer), Porcupine-fish, Sawfish, Sharks, Sheeps-
head, Sailor's Choice, Sea Robbin, Sargeant-fish, Snappers (Man-
grove), Snappers (Gray), Snappers (Rabirubia), Sand Conger, Skate,
Spadefish, Spanish Mackerel (occasional schools traveling north),
Tarpon (spring and summer), Spotted Sea Trout, Tripple Tail, Whit-
ing, Yellow Tail (Mademoiselle). From here the sportsman has all
of the network of creeks and islands within a day's row to fish in, as
well as the two rivers and the surf, both north and south of the inlet.

The surf fishing has always been reasonably good, either with
hand line or rod and reel, for Channel Bass, from April to December,
and nearly every year, for a short time during the spring, for Pom-
pano and Bluefish.

The latter are especially plenty in October and November inside,
along the sandy banks near the inlet, in fact, along nearly all the
shores. At that time there are millions of Menhaden in the river,
and they make the best of bait for Bluefish.

During the last October and early November I frequently caught
twenty-five to thirty in an hour or two, rod and reel, small line, 4$
hook, wire snood, a float, and no sinker, small Menhaden bait, some-
times from boat, and oftentimes standing on the sand bank one-fourth
mile from the turn of the river from the inlet to the north. The
fish run small, very few over two pounds ; average somewhat over
one pound.

This is one of the very best places for Sheepshead on the coast,
is exceeded by none, unless it be Indian River Inlet. All kinds of
Crabs are plentiful here as well as Mullet, so the sportsman rarely
lacks bait.

Do not forget that the " Oyster Roast" is a very pleasant and
desirable feature here. I spell it with a big O and R.

Parties fond of fresh -water Black Bass fishing can do fairly well
by going up Spruce Creek from eight to fifteen miles, the distance
depending upon the amount of rain and the consequent supply of
fresh water in the creek. I have been up there twice, and did next
to nothing, but am satisfied that under proper conditions a reasonable
number can be caught.

186 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Some four or five years ago the people of Hillsboro River residing
in Volusia Co., the southern limit of which is a few miles north of
the Haulover, voted against seine and net (except cast net) fishing in
their river. This is done under a State law allowing each county or
town to settle that question for themselves by vote, which might be
called a sort of local option. Before that time the waters had been
very much depleted by the market fishermen, who had the very best
kind of a show, as they could take nearly every fish out of the very
numerous creeks, which were easily fished. In a year or two after-
wards, the people living on Halifax River, north of the inlet, voted
to close their river to the net fishermen.

The creeks and the river are still fished for market with cast nets,
but they are not so destructive as the seines were. In addition to
the above, the State law forbids net fishing within one mile of any
inlet, pass or channel, inside or outside. Both laws are observed at
Mosquito Inlet.

Notwithstanding all of the above favorable conditions, sportsmen
go to Ponce Park, Port Orange, and New Smyrna and are dis-
appointed, and they will be when they strike a cold winter, or strike
a spell of cold weather during an average warm winter.

Mr. S. C. Clark of Boston spent a great deal of time at Ponce
Park, and has written a great deal about the place, mostly in
periodicals.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 187

CHAPTER IX.

NEW SMYRNA.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE MILES FROM JACKSONVILLE.

New Smyrna is one of the oldest places in Florida, and for many
years was the only accessible resort south of St. Augustine.

It is five miles south of Ponce Park, is on the Hillsboro River
and has all the advantages and facilities for fishing, in the very many
creeks north of the town, that Ponce Park has.

In addition to the river and creeks to the north, it has many
creeks on the east side of the river, as well as on the west, for about
twelve miles to the south.

The sportsmen use rowboats generally, and sailboats are not neces-
sary unless long trips are to be made.

All of the fishes named at Ponce Park are caught here, many of
them within half a mile of the hotels, across the river and north and
south.

At the bridge across the Hillsboro, less than a mile from town,
there is excellent Sheepshead fishing from the bridge draw, with hand
lines and rod and reel, or from rowboats alongside of the bridge
spiles. Fiddler bait, 15, 18, or 21 line, Virginia hooks.

I think I am within bounds in saying that I have seen fifty men
and women fishing from the bridge on several different occasions.
On many days during the height of the winter season over 1,000
pounds of Sheepsheads are caught per day. Of course, many other
kinds are caught from the bridge, but the greatest number are Sheeps-
heads. Many people come down from Daytona to fish here, and at
the inlet, during the day and return in the evening.

At Coronado Beach, opposite New Smyrna, on the ocean front,
Channel Bass are plenty, April to December, and a few at other
times, heaving and hauling, or with rod and reel from the beach.

The beach is about two miles from New Smyrna, across the bridge
above mentioned and across the Peninsula. Oysters and Clams are
abundant around New Smyrna.

188 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

HAWKS PARK.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHT MILES FROM JACKSONVILLE.

Hawks Park is three miles south of New Smyrna, is on the river,
having all the facilities for fishing among the islands and in the river.
However, as the distance from the inlet increases, the variety and
number of the fishes decrease.

Between Hawks Park and the Mosquito Lagoon there are very fair
grounds for Channel Bass. On the ocean beach opposite, Channel
Bass can usually be taken by surf fishing.

MOSQUITO LAGOON.

This body of water commences eighteen miles south of New
Smyrna and extends at its southeastern end eighteen miles, to within
four miles of the Banana River, which is the eastern arm of the Indian
River. The seasons here are the same as at Ponce Park and New
Smyrna, and the fishes are : Channel Bass, Cavalle, Besouga, Croaker,
Drum, Flounders, Gulf Fish, Ladyfish, Mullet, Pigfish, Sheeps-
head, Sailor's Choice, Sea Trout, Tripple Tail, and Whiting.

The localities to fish here are at south end of Elbow Canal,
among the islands toward the eastern end of the lagoon, and at each
end of the " Haulover Canal," and in the canal. More than half of
the lagoon (to the south) has no law against net and seine fishing, so
is kept partially depleted, especially during the winter season, when
the demand for fish is heaviest.

From November 1st to spring there are millions of ducks in the
lagoon. It is known to be one of the best duck hunting grounds in
the United States.

OAK HILL.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVEN MILES FROM JACKSONVILLE.

This place is on the west side of the lagoon, and was the site of
the Oak Hill Hotel, one of the old-time sportsmen's resorts, recently
destroyed by fire. Oak Hill is the only railroad station on the
lagoon, and is comparatively a convenient point for duck hunters and
anglers to stop at. Oysters are plenty from New Smyrna to this
place.

For accommodations, see hotel list.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 189

THE "HAULOVER."

This is the canal, about three-fourths of a mile long, between the
lagoon and Indian River. Before the marketmen commence their
work in the fall, usually about November 1st, there is very good
fishing in the canal, and at its northern entrance ; usually not good
at its southern entrance. Formerly I have caught Channel Bass up
to twenty-five pounds and Spotted Trout up to twelve pounds in the
canal. Recently, success can be expected only at season above
stated.

190 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

CHAPTER X.

INDIAN RIVER.

There are no laws against the use of nets and seines in Indian
River, except the one applying to the inlets. For this reason the
river is kept partially depleted, but as the large Channel Bass are not
considered a choice food fish, the market fishermen usually return
them to the water ; large numbers of Sea Trout escape, so, as nearly
all the fishes mentioned at Mosquito Inlet are more or less numerous,
moderate sport can be had at all points on the river. I consider the
above a fair statement of the present condition of the sport fishing
on Indian River from the Haulover to Indian River Inlet. As the
above conditions prevail at all the towns and stations for the distance
named, I will have to group them under the one heading of " Indian
River," as above. They are Titusville, 155 miles from Jacksonville ;
Faustina, 168; City Point, 170; Cocoa, 175; Rock Ledge, 176;
Eau Galle, 190; Sarno, 191; Melbourne, 195; Malabar, 200;
Micco, 209 ; Roseland, 213 ; Sebastian, 215. These points are all
on the west side of the river, and are railroad stations. In addition,
there are on the east side of the river the following small places,
viz : Courtney, Indianola,Merrit, Doctor Whitfield's Fairy Land, and
Georgiana, all on Merrit's Island, so called.

The sport fishing is almost entirely done from rowboats, trolling
with phantoms, spoons, red and white cloth, live Minnow, or cut fish.
The phantom, in my opinion, is far the best. The fishes caught
in this way are mainly Sea Trout, with an occasional Channel Bass,
or Cavalle. The latter will generally tear a phantom into ribbons.

Channel Bass can nearly always be caught (from one to three or
four) by anchoring row or sailboat on any sandy point projecting into
the river, on either shore, hand line, or rod and reel, 18, 21 line, 5
or Qfo hook, cut Mullet bait ; cast as far as you can and let the bait
lie. I have always had some success on the sand point a few rods
below Doctor Whitfield's, some six miles below Rock Ledge.

Whiting can be caught on the west sandy shores nearly the entire

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 191

length of the river, but not in profusion, because the marketmen get
them.

Formerly there was very good sport at the mouth of Banana
River, opposite Eau Galle. Channel Bass, Trout, Cavalle, etc.; but
I have not done well there the last five or six years. I hear of others
doing well. Banana River, so called, extends from very near Mos-
quito Lagoon, on the north, to its mouth opposite Eau Galle, where
it discharges into Indian River ; the strip of land between it and
Indian River being called "Merrit's Island." There is a shallow,
narrow creekreaching from opposite Titusville through the neck of
land to near the head of the river, called Banana Creek. Capt.
Gardner has not visited Banana River far above its mouth for several
years past, and I have never visited it, so we can give no opinion
as to the fishing except at the mouth. We do not get good reports,
although several years ago there were fine Channel Bass near the
head, and even in some parts of Banana Creek.

To return to the Indian River : Turkey Creek, for a mile above
where it empties into the Indian River, was formerly a good place
for Sea Trout, and occasional Channel Bass ; but of late years I have
not done well there. Mouth of Sebastian River, or "Sebastian
Bay," as it is often called, was fine ground for Sea Trout, Channel
Bass, Sergeant-fish (snooks), Tarpon of ten to twenty-five pounds,
and other smaller fishes, and up the south branch for Large-mouth
Black Bass and Bream ; but during the past two years I have not done
well there. The marketmen get in their work there quite thoroughly.
This is one of two " Sebastian" rivers on the East Coast, the other
one coming into Mantanzas River at St. Augustine.

It was at Sebastian River that I figured in my first, last and only
alligator story, which I will here proceed to tell.

Some seven or eight years ago I was at the mouth of the river
with Capt. B. J. Pacetti on the sloop " Hillsboro " for several days.
One warm, nice morning we concluded to go up the south fork eight
or ten miles after Black Bass. We started in the rowboat and had
gotten to an island where the river forks, when I saw within two or
three hundred feet of the boat some pieces of bark (as I supposed)
floating on the water. I called Pacetti 's attention to them, and he
said, "Those are not pieces of bark, they are alligators' noses "; and
sure enough they were, and there were probably twenty or thirty in
sight. Pacetti said, "Now is your chance to kill an alligator "; I re-

192 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

plied, " Not much ; I would as soon kill a hog, cow, or manatee."
He finally convinced me that he could show me how to kill one and
still preserve my dignity as a sportsman.

He saw one near the little island and made for him, and, as he
knew would be the case, the alligator sank down quietly in about six
feet of water. We moved over until within a few feet, where we saw
him lying still on the bottom. Pacetti took the grains, which were
on a pole twelve or fourteen feet long, with a y3^ or i^-inch cotton
line twenty or twenty-five feet long. We moved quietly over the
'gator, when the grains were driven down into him just behind his
head. The pole was quickly drawn from the socket in the grains,
leaving the line in my hands. Well, that 'gator rushed for every-
where at a lively gait, and before Pacetti could get his oars fairly in
hand. We went stern first a few feet, when Pacetti got partial
control.

We were towed around in the river in all directions for ten or
fifteen minutes, when our victim began to play out. We finally
landed on the south shore and pulled him out, pounded him quite
a while with some pieces of board, drew the grains out of him,
pounded him some more and left him for dead some ten feet from
shore. He was eight feet long.

We went on up the river, caught our Black Bass, and about 5
P. M., on our way back to the sloop, stopped to take a look at our
alligator, and found he was not there. What became of him we
could not imagine ; no footsteps around, but the grass and ground did
look a little as though he had crawled back into the water. That was
the only 'gator I ever killed, or tried to kill, in all my experience in
Florida, and I hereby promise to never try to kill another one. It is
a mean business, unless you want his hide to sell.

Eight miles below Sebastian the " Indian River Narrows" com-
mence and are about eight miles in length. Channel Bass are
tolerably plenty at the northern and southern entrances. Good
Oysters can be gathered at the southern end.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 193

CHAPTER XL

INDIAN RIVER INLET.

Post-office at Saint Lucie, on the west bank of the river, formerly
called Fort Capron, and "Paines," 242 miles from Jacksonville.

This inlet is approached by three ' ' cuts ' ' from the river, called
Nigger Cut, Garfield Cut, and Blue Hole Cut. Until the past year
there was another cut called Fort Pierce Cut, running into it from the
river, which has recently closed, near the inlet, thus destroying it
and its tributary cuts as fishing ground.

Season here same as at other points on Indian River. Fishes :
Besouga, Bluefish, Carvalle, Channel Bass, Croaker, Drum, Flounders,
Groupers, Gulf-fish, Jewfish, Kingfish, Ladyfish, Mullet, Moon-fish,
Pigfish, Pompano, Saw Fish, Sheepshead, Sailor's Choice, Sergeant-
fish, Snappers (Mangrove, Gray, and Rabirubia), Spadefish, Spanish
Mackerel, Tarpon, Sea Trout, Tripple Tail, Whiting, Catfish, Sharks,
Toadfish, and all other foul fishes.

Large Channel Bass are caught in the river, about one-fourth mile
from the east shore, and about the same distance south of the entrance
from the river into Nigger Cut, called " Quays Canal."

I have caught a great many here during the past three years and
often before, weighing from six to thirty-seven pounds, fishing with
light tackle, No. 6 line, and small reel. The Snappers and Groupers
are caught along in the channels of the cuts, in the deep water near
the shores, near the mangrove bushes or trees, as also in deep water
where there are no trees. The other fishes are caught all through
the cuts. Sheepshead are especially plenty, are caught with Fiddlers,
Oyster Crabs, or Sea Crab bait, along the deep shores, usually within
a few feet. Strong rods, reels and lines are necessary, with Virginia
hooks.

From about March 15th till May 1st to 15th, the Spanish Mackerel
come in schools outside the inlet, and the trolling with hand line, or
rod and reel, with three-inch Mackerel squid is grand ; of course,
sailboat or launch is necessary for this sport. Usually a few Bluefish
will also be taken.

194 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

During the present season (1901) I have seen many catches of
100 to 800 Mackerel per boat, made by the market fishers, there
being eighteen to twenty boats engaged in the business. Their mar-
ket is Fort Pierce, four miles distant to the south. From March 15
to May 10, 1901, about 100,000 pounds of Spanish Mackerel were
shipped North from Fort Pierce, which is also the largest shipping
point on the East Coast for a great variety of fishes caught in nets in
the river a considerable distance north and south of the inlet.

Kingfish are also frequently taken, trolling with T3g line and large
squid ; or rod and reel, if you are willing to take the time to luff up
when you get one on. A Kingfish cannot be held with rod and reel
with the boat under way. If you are on a sailboat large enough to
tow a rowboat, you can leave the large boat, if the sea is quiet enough.
This is the scientific way to catch Kingfish.

Indian River Inlet is noted for its fine Oysters. I believe there
are none better in the world. The Oyster Roast comes in here to a
charm.

Here the first Tarpon caught with rod and reel was taken by Mr.
S. H. Jones of Philadelphia, Capt. John Gardner being his guide.

FORT PIERCE.
TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY-TWO MILES FROM JACKSONVILLE.
This place is three to four miles south of Indian River Inlet, and
is a resort for tourists and sportsmen who fish mostly at the inlet.
Rowboats, sailboats and launches can be hired for fishing at the cuts
and trolling outside. The details of the fishing from here are all given
in the account of Indian River Inlet. It is quite a business point,
and is the largest fish-shipping point on the East Coast of Florida.

ANKONA, EDEN, AND JENSEN.

RESPECTIVELY TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY AND TWO HUNDRED
AND FIFTY-FIVE AND TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY-
SEVEN MILES FROM JACKSONVILLE.
Stations on the railroad between Fort Pierce and Gilbert's Bar,
and on the river.

Parties stopping at these points can get some fishing for Whiting,
Channel Bass, Trout, etc., in the river; and can, with sailboats or
launches, visit Indian River Inlet, or Gilbert's Bar; the latter only
six or seven miles distant.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 195

Pompano are caught in nets and seines in the river all the way
from Indian River Inlet to Gilbert's Bar; Fort Pierce being the
largest shipping point for them on the East Coast.

GILBERT'S BAR.

SEWELL'S POINT, POST-OFFICE.
TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY-TWO MILES FROM JACKSONVILLE.

Stuart nearest railroad station, six miles up St. Lucie River.

This place is twenty-five miles south of Indian River Inlet, Sew-
ell's Point being on the west shore of the river and at the mouth of
the St. Lucie River, where it empties into Indian River. Gilbert's Bar
was an old inlet or pass from the ocean, but closed many years ago.
About ten years ago the residents reopened it, since which time it has
been one of the best sport and market-fishing places on the river.
Season same as at Indian River Inlet. Fishes : Bluefish, Kingfish,
Cavalle, Channel Bass, Groupers, Gulf-fish, Jewfish, Lady-fish, Mul-
let, Pigfish, Pilot-fish, Pompano, Sheepshead, Sailor's Choice, Ser-
geant-fish, Snappers (Gray, Mangrove, and Rabirubia), Spanish
Mackerel, Sea Trout, Whiting and all the foul fishes.

Bluefish, still fishing in the main channel inside near the sand
banks on either side of channel, from Sewell's Point down to the bar.
Trolling with hand line, or rod and reel with Mackerel squid, red
and white rag on No. 8 hook, or fish bait on same size hook, over the
same water as above. Snappers and Groupers, still fishing close to
the North Peninsula shore near the mangrove trees and the roots (in
the water) of fallen trees. Spanish Mackerel, outside trolling with
hand line or rod and reel, with Mackerel squid, red and white rag,
or fish bait, the squid preferred.

Occasionally a few are caught inside in same way, and by still
fishing. While trolling for Mackerel outside there are usually a few
Groupers caught, some large ones. Kingfish are only caught outside
trolling with Kingfish squids. There is a " patch " or " rock reef"
about one-fourth mile off the inlet and extending south about two
miles, and one-half to three-fourths mile north of the inlet, on which
in quiet weather sailboats, launches, or rowboats can be anchored,
and on which Snappers, Groupers, and the smaller fish above men-
tioned, are very plenty, and can be taken with rod and reel, still fish-

196 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

ing. As the word " patch " will be often used, I will explain that it
means places or spots outside, either where the bottom is usually
rocky or sandy, or on the Great Florida Reef, where there is rock
bottom more or less covered with loggerhead and other sponges, sea
fans, loose or fast, coral, etc. The word is used by the " Conchs "
of the Keys and has so come into general use. Cavalle, Bluefish,
Channel Bass, and Trout are caught in the channels running to the
inlet, still fishing and possibly a few trolling. Sheepshead along the
north shore above mentioned, with rod and reel, Virginia hook, and
Fiddlers, Crab, or sand flea bait.

Pompano are caught in the channels inside, light rod and reel,
No. 3 or 4 hook, 2^ -inch reel, No. 9 line, with steel violin string,
piano wire, or gut leader, eighteen inches long ; and sand fleas, Fid-
dlers, Sea Crab, or Hermit Crab bait. They will not take any fish
bait nor any troll. Gilbert's Bar is one of the star fishing localities
of the East Coast.

SAINT LUCIE RIVER.
TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY-TWO MILES FROM JACKSONVILLE.

This is a large fresh-water river running into Indian River at
Sewell's Point and opposite Gilbert's Bar. It has two branches, north
and south, forking at the railroad bridge at Stuart Station. During
the winter and spring there are many Tarpon in the north branch.

During the spring of 1899 there were many caught by Mr. Loril-
lard and guests. There are a few Snappers, Cavalle, Groupers, Jew-
fish, and small fish near the bridge.

Large-mouth Black Bass and Bream are plentiful up each of the
branches, the distance depending each season upon the amount of
rainfall, and the consequent supply of fresh water. The distance
will vary from fifteen to twenty miles from Sewell's Point.

During the past few years very few sport fishermen have frequented
the stream.

JUPITER NARROWS AND HOBE SOUND.

These waters extend from Gilbert's Bar to Jupiter Inlet, a distance
of twenty-three miles. I have never done well in them. There is
some trolling done with spoon and other artificial baits, for Cavalle
and Sea Trout, in Hobe Sound, which I have often tried ; but of late

OiV THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 197

years have not considered it sufficiently attractive to induce me to
persevere in my trials.

JUPITER INLET.
TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-THREE MILES FROM JACKSONVILLE.

This place, up to within a few years, was one of the best and
most attractive fishing resorts on the coast, but as the inlet has closed
two or three times within the past twenty-five years, its importance as
a fishing resort has declined.

The inlet is now closed (May, 1901), which, of course, shuts the
ocean fish out, and leaves the place an undesirable one for sport fish-
ermen to visit at present.

As the inlet will probably be opened within this year, that is
before the season of 1902 opens, I deem it proper to give the names
of fish caught there in recent years by me, as well as the same infor-
mation given about other places.

Season same as Gilbert's Bar. Fishes: Bluefish, Cavalle, Chan-
nel Bass, Drum, Flounders, Groupers, Gulf-fish, Jewfish, King-
fish (outside), Ladyfish, Margate Fish, Mullet, Pigfish, Pompano,
Sheepshead, Sailor's Choice, Sergeant-fish, Snappers (Mangrove,
Gray, and Rabirubia), Spanish Mackerel (outside), Sea Trout and
all the foul fishes of Indian River. The Bluefish are caught in the
main channel between the inlet and the railroad bridge, either troll-
ing or still fishing, as at Gilbert's Bar ; Channel Bass, Sea Trout and
Cavalle along the channel near the Oyster bars, still fishing ; Snap-
pers, Groupers, Sergeant-fish, and Sheepshead along the deep places
near the shores, near mangrove trees and roots.

Pompano may be caught in the channel, all the way between the
inlet and the lighthouse, with tackle and bait heretofore mentioned.
I have had good success at Jupiter with Pompano as late as spring of
1900. The other fishes mentioned are caught in the channel.

I have heretofore caught Bluefish, sometimes very many, right in
the inlet, standing on the shore, casting a medium-size squid as far
into the channel as possible, with a Tarpon rod, reel and line, and
winding it in as rapidly as possible. This has been a very pleasant
and successful method of taking Bluefish.

I have also taken them, with rod and reel, cut Mullet bait, casting
into the surf outside, letting the bait sink, at both north and south
beaches.

198 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

In March, 1892, I caught a Bluefish weighing Yiy2 pounds near
the inlet inside, with rod and reel, still fishing, cut Mullet bait. I
was "high hook" just one day, as the next day a gentleman from
Philadelphia caught three in the Bluefish hole just east of the present
railroad bridge, which weighed, respectively, 13^, 14^, and W}4
pounds.

During the winter and spring there is fair trolling for Kingfish off
Jupiter Inlet, about a mile from shore.

The Loxahatchie River comes in here from the northwest, and
there is fair fishing in it two miles or more from the inlet, for Man-
grove Snappers, Groupers, Sea Trout, Sheepshead, etc . Just above the
railroad bridge there is a hole, or deep place, along under the mangrove
on the north side, called "Snapper Hole" and " Jewfish Channel,"
where Snappers, Jewfish and Groupers have been plenty. There are
creeks about two miles up, coming in from the south, where the
Snapper fishing was good while inlet was open. In leaving Jupiter,
we leave the Oyster, which is, or was, plenty, as also in Hobe Sound.
There are none farther south.

On arrival at Ponce Park, October 10, 1901, I learn that Jupiter
Inlet was opened on the 14th of June last, by the residents there,
with the assistance of the United States Government, and that the
inlet and bay inside are in good condition, with three feet on the bar
at low tide, and the usual good fishing inside and out.

Before taking leave of Indian River I wish to repeat, that from
the Haulover Canal south to the northern end of Jupiter Narrows,
faithful and industrious trolling with a rowboat, along the shores, and
sometimes in the middle of the river, will result in reasonable catches
of Sea Trout, with occasional Channel Bass, and when local guides
are employed some of the smaller fish can be caught, but please
remember that the "man with the net" has been industriously at
work on the river for twelve years or more. He has during the past
four or five years been forbidden by State law to fish within one mile
of any inlet ; so the angler still has a fair chance at the four inlets.

I do not like to leave Jupiter without indulging in a little reminis-
cence regarding the railway from there to Juno on Lake Worth.
That railway has become historic, because it was the means of solving
some of the astronomical, mythological, and meteorological problems
of the times.

As it began at Jupiter on Indian River and ended in Juno on

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 199

Lake Worth, a distance of seven miles, passing by Venus, Mars, and
Saturn, as indicated by signboards on stakes driven into the ground,
it afforded a fine opportunity to the patent medicine almanac scientific
weather prophets, to study the transit of Venus, and their theories
regarding the "juxtaposition" of some of the other planets, which
it had been before difficult for them to prove. It finally settled the
much-mooted question as to whether or not Mars is inhabited, and
in the negative, as there were no people there, have never been
since, and probably never will be.

The road could hardly be called a mythological one, at any rate
not to its owners, as their revenue from the road must have settled
that question. " If you don't believe that, ask Mr. Flagler."

Is it not strange that the people in charge of the weather bureau,
who have been thoroughly trained in colleges, technical schools, etc.,
and are placed in their positions by the Government because of their
proved attainments in their profession, only pretend to forecast the
weather from twelve to thirty-six hours ahead, while the almanac
gentlemen can, and do, forecast it all the way from one day to a year?

The above weather business was written because I was once
awfully disappointed by an almanac.

Just before Mr. Borden and I started on our cruise around the
coast on the "Manatee," while buying some supplies at Jupiter,
I picked up a patent medicine almanac, which I took aboard.

When I came to read it, I stood aghast, as it told me that on
April 1st (I may be mistaken in the date, but April 1st will answer
first rate) there would be a terrible storm all over the Gulf of Mexico
and the south Atlantic Coast. I hid that almanac for fear the captain,
Mr. Borden, or some of the crew would get hold of it, and want to
give up the cruise, desert, or mutiny.

Well, we went along all O. K. and the fatal day finally approached.
I trembled, but never said a word. The day finally came, and a
finer one I never saw anywhere ; the night came, and that was perfect.
I then brought out the almanac and read it to the captain, Mr.
Borden, and the crew.

We were all very thankful, of course, for our narrow escape, and
blessed the almanac man.

200 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

CHAPTER XII.

LAKE WORTH.

Railroad Stations : Riviera, 296 ; West Palm Beach, 300 ; Hotel
Royal Poinciana, 301 ; The Breakers, 301)4 ', Lantana, 309; Hypo-
luxo, 310 miles from Jacksonville.

This body of water, like Indian River and the other continuous
inside waters north of it, is not a lake, but is a salt-water lagoon,
bay or arm of the sea, with one inlet about three miles from its north
end. It is connected with Indian River by the Jupiter and Lake
Worth Canal, and to the south with Biscayne Bay by canal, thus
having a free flow of salt water through its entire length of twenty-
four miles.

The seasons here are somewhat different from that of Indian River,
because the Gulf Stream, which increases the temperature of the
water, is nearer the shore. The migratory fishes, therefore, come
earlier and usually leave earlier.

For the above reasons no general statement as to the seasons will
apply to all the fishes, and I will have to state seasons for the different
varieties.

Fishes (season all the year round) are : Amber Jacks, Barracuda,
Cavalle, Drum, Flounders, Groupers, Grunts, Gulf-fish, Bream, Jew-
fish, Ladyfish, Margate Fish, Mullet, Pigfish, Pompano, Runners,
Sheepshead, Sailor's Choice, Snappers, Spadefish, Sea Trout and
the foul fishes.

The above fishes are all caught in the inside, in the inlet and the
channels leading to it, and also on the "patches" or reefs, about
one-fourth to one mile from the shore. And the following kinds of
the above can at times be caught standing dry-shod on the beach
casting into the surf: Barracuda, Cavalle, Ladyfish, Pompano, Run-
ners, Sea Trout. This, however, requires skill, patience, and a
continuous spell of warm weather lasting several days, so parties
wishing to try it will have to watch the shores and pick their time.
It has been done by myself repeatedly. I have also known the
Permit to be caught from the beach.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 201

The season for Bluefish, Kingfish, and Spanish Mackerel is from
November 1st to April 15th, varying with the different years. The
Bluefish is caught inside, trolling with sailboat or launch, and with
rod and reel, the best ground being within a mile north and south of
the inlet, in the inlet, and trolling outside. Also from the beach,
surf fishing, and from the pier at the Breakers Hotel. I have
repeatedly caught them in all of these different ways. All these
different methods will not be successful all through the season, but
parties on the ground can watch the lake, the inlet, and the surf, and
at times can be reasonably successful.

The Kingfish and Mackerel are caught outside trolling with hand
line or rod and reel, from sailboat or launch.

From the pier, the following fishes have been caught with rod and
reel, or hand line : Amber Jacks, Barracuda, Cavalle, Bonito, Group-
ers, Permits, Grunts, Gulf-fish, Jewfish, Kingfish, Ladyfish, Margate
Fish, Bluefish, Pigfish, Spots, Runners, Sheepshead, Sailor's Choice,
Snappers, Spade Fish, Sea Trout, Sharks and other foul fishes.

The larger kinds can be taken with a Tarpon rod, reel and line,
with Mullet or other small fish, dead or alive, as bait. The Mangrove
Snappers, Groupers, and other fish can be taken with Crab, Mullet,
or sand flea bait, and usual size rod and reel. These fishes are all
(except the small ones) exceptionally wary and shy, more so than at
any other places I have fished for them.

Still, parties fond of fishing can while away many hours on the
pier, and may at times do well. I have seen as many as twenty-five
Kingfish caught there in a day, with six Amber Jack ; this was in
1897. Parties fond of catching Sharks and Sawfish can use the
clothes line and large Shark hook, and usually catch Sharks to their
heart's content, and stand a chance of getting a Sawfish.

On 15th April, 1898, Capt. Gardner and myself caught fourteen
Pompano with light rods, small reels, No. 6 Hall lines, No. 3$ Harri-
son Sproat Hooks with double gut leaders, sand flea bait, casting from
the beach into the surf about 500 feet south of the pier. Thirteen
of the Pompano weighed about three pounds each, as they averaged
large, and one weighed 22^ pounds. We were catching them lively
when we quit, but stopped because we had no use for them. Mr.
Allen, who had charge of the Poinciana and The Inn, weighed the
large fish on the scales at The Inn.

We gave it to Mr. Cory, the taxidermist opposite The Inn, who

202 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

mounted it, and sold it the next season. He also saw it weighed.
We laid one of the smaller fish on the pavement beside the large one,
and critically compared the shape, the head, the fins, and the color-
ing of the two, and could detect no difference. Mr. Allen and the
taxidermist joined in the examination, and we all agreed, to the best
of our judgment, the two fishes were identical in species, that the
large one was a true Pompano or what is called the "Common"
Pompano. The day before we made our catch the market fishers
there had caught 500 Pompano at one haul, as we were informed by
several parties. We saw hundreds of them in schools along the
beach for half a mile or so south of the pier.

Mr. Edward P. Borden of Philadelphia has several times fished
for Amber Jack with rod and reel, Tarpon rig, from rowboat, near
the pier, and we here give his method of catching them, as follows,
viz :

" For Amber Jack fishing off the ' Breakers ' at Palm Beach, use the
usual Tarpon rod, reel, and line, with a No. 10$ hook with gimp or
wire snood, and live bait. Go with your boat two or three hundred
yards south of the pier, and anchor over the rocky bottom ; you will
catch Sheepshead and perhaps ' Spot ' ; the latter makes fine bait and
is what you want for the Amber Jack. If you cannot get 'Spot,'
small Mullet will answer, but will not attract like the ' Spot. ' Then
anchor about 100 yards off the pier. Let your bait run out with the
current fifty feet, more or less, and when you get a strike let the fish
run ten or fifteen feet before snubbing. You will probably hook him ;
play him as you would any large fish."

Barracuda and Kingfish are caught by same method, but a quiet
day must be selected.

In former times Pompano were caught with rod and reel in the
lake, some two miles or more south of the Royal Poinciana, at what
is called Rock Island, but none have been caught there within the
past few years. They are caught at night in gill nets in different
parts of the lake, nearly all near the inlet. I assisted in one haul at
night, catching fourteen, six years ago, near the Riviera Hotel.

Almost every season there is very fair trolling for Bluefish with
launches or sailboats, the best ground being from one to two miles
south of the inlet north, by the inlet, to Pitts Island, a distance of
three miles or so. One season I saw as high as fifty to 100 caught
per day, for market, by a party residing at Lake Worth P. O., who

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 203

ran up and down the above track with a launch nearly every day for
weeks. I have never trolled there all day, but have often caught ten
to twenty, with sailboat, in half a day, counting time from Poinciana.

I have done well with rowboat, anchored on the edge of the
steamboat channel, just opposite inlet ; fishing only the incoming
tide for an hour or two. Cut Mullet bait, 6$ wired hook, 21 line,
rod, reel, and barrel float.

There is usually fair Mangrove Snapper, Grouper, Grunt, etc.,
fishing in the north and south channels, just inside the inlet. Anchor
rowboat in the deep or deepest water, rod and reel, 6$ hook, 21 line,
for the Snappers and Groupers, sinker, cut Mullet bait, bottom fish-
ing, no float; best time " last of ebb and first of flow." I have
done well there many times.

I have never but once tried the " patch " fishing and then did not
do well, but I have seen some very large catches, consisting of three
kinds of Snappers, Groupers, Sheepshead, Mutton-fish, Grunts, etc.,
etc. During three or four seasons the sloop "Robinson Crusoe"
made a business of taking parties out, not over a mile, anchoring over
the patches or reefs. In rough weather she could not go out, and
finally had to give it up. Parties can go out on very quiet days, now,
and do well.

The next largest, but one, catch of Kingfish ever made by sports-
men on the East Coast was made here, the one illustrated in the East
Coast hotel literature. Modesty, and a little shame, forbids me to
tell here who made the largest catch. Very little of that has been
done lately, but the fish are there every year. They certainly run as
far north as Indian River Inlet, probably some farther.

204 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

CHAPTER XIII.

THE CANAL BETWEEN LAKE WORTH AND BISCAYNE

BAY.

This canal is fifty-five miles long, commencing at the south end
of Lake Worth and ending at the north end of Biscayne Bay. The
waters and sounds of Hillsboro River and New River have been util-
ized as much as possible in constructing the canal.

HILLSBORO INLET AND SOUND.

There is no fishing in the canal until Hillsboro Inlet and Sound
are reached, about thirty miles. At the inlet and in the canal, for a
distance of half a mile to the south, there is fair fishing for the follow-
ing fishes: Barracuda, Cavalle, Snappers (Mangrove and Rabirubia),
Groupers, Grunts, Mullet, Runners, Sailor's Choice.

We have always done well here. The Mangrove Snappers should
be fished for at night, and within 500 feet of the inlet, on the north
side of the channel, about 100 feet from the north shore. The other
fishes in the channel and the entrance to the canal on the south of
the sound.

The largest Mangrove Snappers I ever caught were here, near the
north shore, close to the inlet, just opposite a lone cocoanut tree
which leans out over the channel.

B. J. Pacetti and myself caught eighteen one night after dark ;
one of his and one of mine each weighing 10^ pounds; rod and
reel, 21 line, 6$ hook, sinkers, cut Mullet bait. We could catch
nothing there during the day, but did catch a few large ones in the
forenoon in a small slough leading from the sound into the canal at
south entrance, one weighing 10^ pounds. Groupers at that time
(1897) were plentiful in the canal, and near the inlet, some of them
running to twenty pounds. Barracuda are in the running water of
the inlet, but I have caught none there. Reefs outside, where there
are plenty of fish. Our fishes there are returned to the water, except
a few for the table, there being no one around to give them to.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 205

NEW RIVER INLET AND SOUND.

RAILROAD STATION, FORT LAUDERDALE, THREE HUNDRED
AND FORTY-ONE MILES FROM JACKSONVILLE.

When I first visited this sound I had good success, but during the
past three years have not done well. This and Hillsboro Sound have
been fished during the past few years for market with gill nets and
seines, so the sport fishing has been very much lessened. This sound
is hardly worth visiting at present time. The season same as Lake
Worth, and the fishes same as Hillsboro Sound.

There are many patches and reefs from one-fourth to one mile off
shore, all the way between Lake Worth and Biscayne Bay, where the
usual variety of reef fishes are caught, and trolling for Kingfish,
Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish and Groupers, in their season, is good.
Barracuda, Cavalle, Runners, etc., are caught in the surf all the way.

SNAKE CREEK, ARCH CREEK, LITTLE RIVER.

Snake Creek is the lower, or southern, end of the canal. Arch
Creek is a fresh-water stream emptying into Biscayne Bay, and Little
River is two or three miles south of Arch Creek. There is said to
be Snappers in all of these creeks, but, as we have never fished there,
can give no opinion in the matter.

206 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

CHAPTER XIV.

BISCAYNE BAY AND MIAMI, INDIAN CREEK.

This creek is on the eastern shore, opposite Lemon City, and
about six miles north of Miami. It is an inside bayou, or slough, run-
ning parallel with the peninsula north and south. It is said to be a
good water to troll for Sea Trout.

MIAMI.

THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SIX MILES SOUTH OF
JACKSONVILLE.

The City of Miami is on the west shore of Biscayne Bay, at the
mouth of the Miami River, and ten miles south from the south end
of the canal.

It is the southern terminus of the Florida East Coast Railway,
and the port of departure for the Steamers of the Peninsular & Occi-
dental Steamship Co., for Key West, Havana, and Nassau. It is a
point of call for many medium-size yachts, and the winter rendezvous
of many of the smaller class which cruise in the Halifax, Hillsboro,
and Indian rivers, Lake Worth, Biscayne Bay, among the Keys to
Key West, and on the West Coast to the Tarpon grounds of Charlotte
Harbor, and other points.

It is also the headquarters of many sailboats, launches, rowboats,
etc., for charter from one day to a number of months, for cruising
and sport fishing. Virginia Key, the most northerly of all the Keys
reaching from Biscayne Bay to Key West, and beyond to the Dry
Tortugas, lies opposite the city. From here, south, the inlets from
the ocean are nearly all broader than those of Lake Worth, Indian
River, etc. , and are called "cuts," "creeks" "passes," and "chan-
nels," instead of "inlets."

The water is warmer, much more clear and transparent than those
heretofore mentioned, and are more highly colored, blue and green.
Biscayne Bay is thirty-six miles long, north and south, and varies in
width from three to eight miles. The distance to Key West is 143

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 207

nautical miles by the Hawkes Channel route on the "Great Florida
Reefs," which extends to that city from Cape Florida, nine miles
south of Miami. The width of this reef from the line of Keys to its
eastern edge is from two to six miles, and its edge is nearly coinci-
dent with the inner line of the Gulf Stream. The proximity of the
warmer water of the Gulf Stream has a decided effect upon the fish
life, as the species are far greater in number than farther north, very
many of which are of the highly-colored varieties.

As all the species of fishes whose habitat extends from Biscayne
Bay to Key West are caught in the Bay, or the passes leading into it,
I will have to, in many cases, group them together, to avoid repeti-
tion. I will say, however, that larger numbers of the highly-colored
kinds are caught as we proceed south to Key West.

I consider the season from the Bay to Key West to be all the
year round, except for the migratory species, such as Kingfish, Blue-
fish, Spanish Mackerel and some others, which I will treat separately.

I consider the Sailfish a migratory one, South America being his
home, and the waters off Biscayne Bay being the northern limit of
his migration, except in rare instances.

It is well to repeat here what I have said in my instructions, that
the "Northers," especially when cold, and windy weather, sadly
interfere with the angler's success, the same as- farther north. How-
ever, many more good days may be expected here, as the cold ones
are not so frequent, nor of so long continuance. Even in the worst
weather I have always been able to pick up enough to eat.

In the U. S. Fish Commission Report of 1899, B. W. Evermann
and W. C. Kendall give a "Check List of the Fishes of Florida,"
which contains 576 species, a very large proportion of which they
locate in the waters of Biscayne Bay, the Keys, and Key West. I
will give a list of those I consider important to my subject, nearly all
of which I have caught, observed, or know to have been caught by
anglers or market fishermen, viz :

Alligator Gar, Black Drum, Gray Drum,

Amber Jack, Blow-fish, Puffer,

Anchovy (bait), Bluefish,

Angel-fish, Spade-fish, Bone-fish, Big-eyed Herring,

Barracuda, Bonito, Little Tunny,

Besouga, Spot, Lafayette, Goody, Bur-fish, Swellfish, Puffer,

Bill-fish, Needle-fish, Blackfish, Sea Bass (one specimen),

Black Bass (fresh water), Bream (salt-water),

208

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Bream (fresh- water),
Bladder-fish, Puffer, Toad-fish,
Swell-fish, Blow-fish,
Catfish — ■

Common Sea Cat,

Gaff Topsail Cat,
Cavalie, Crevalle, Jack,
Channel Bass, Redfish, Red Drum,
Chub, Sea Chub, Bermuda Chub,
Cowfish, Trunk-fish, Shell-fish,
Croaker,

Cutlass-fish, Scabbard-fish,
Dogfish,
Flounders —

Summer,

Southern,
Flyingfish,
Gobies (bait),
Gulf-fish, Spot,
Grunts —

Margate-fish,

Gray Grunt,

Sailor's Choice, Ronco Blanco,

Yellow, Boar Grunt,

Common Grunt,

French Grunt,

Tom Tate, Red Mouth,

White Grunt,

Pork-fish,

Pig-fish, Hog-fish,
Groupers —

Yellow-finned, Dolly Varden,

Nassau, Cherna, Criolla,

Nigger-fish,

Rock Hind,

Red Hind, Cabrilla,

Speckled Hind, John Paw, Polka
Dot,

Red Grouper,

Black Grouper,

Gag, Ajuaji,

Scamp, Bacalao,
Hogfish (repetition of Grunt),
Jewfish, Black Grouper,
Kingfish, Cero,
Lady-fish, Bonefish, Skipjack,
Lizard-fish, Ground Spearing,

Margate-fish, Market-fish (repetition of

Grunt),
Morays, and Conger Eels,
Mudfish, Mud Sucker (Miami River),
Mullets —

White, Silver,

Common,

Fan-tail,

Whirligig,
Menhaden (bait),

Moon-fish, Look Down, Horse-fish,
Mutton-fish, Pargo (repetition of Snap-
pers),
Needle-fish (repetition of Bill-fish),
Nigger-fish (repetition of Grouper),
Permit, Pampanito,
Permit (Key West),
Pig-fish (repetition of Grunt),
Pinfish (repetition of Porgy),
Pipe-fish,
Pilot-fish,
Pompanos —

Common Pompano,

Round Pompano,
Parrot-fishes —

Blue Parrot-fish,

Green Parrot-fish,

Red Parrot-fish,

Mud Parrot-fish,
Pork-fish (repetition of Grunts),
Pilchards (Key West bait),
Porgies —

Scup,

Saucer-eye,

Little-head,

Jolt-head,

Little-mouth,

Sheepshead,

Grass, Shad,

Red,

Pin-fish, Chopa Spina,

Salema,
Pudding- wife, Wrasse-fish,
Puffers (repetition of Bur-fish, etc.),
Razor-fish, Wrasse-fish,
Rabirubia (repetition of Yellow-tail),
Rudder-fish, Chub, Chopa Blanca,

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

209

Runners —

Yellow-tail Runner, Cojirera,
Goggle Eye, Goggler, Big-eyed

Scad,
Goggle-eye Jack, Chicarro,
Horse-eye Jack,
Hard-tail Runner, Jurel,
Yellow Mackerel, Crevelle,
Running Jack, Dollar-fish,
Tide Runner, Blue Runner,

Sardines (Key West bait),

Sawfish,

Sail-fish, Banner-fish, Spear-fish,

Sailor's Choice, Ronco Blanco (repeti-
tion of Grunts),

Scamp (repetition of Grouper),

Squirrel-fish,

Sharks —

Shovel-head, Bonnet-head,

Hammer-head,

Mackerel,

Nurse, Gata,

Sand,

Sea Horse,

Sheepshead,

Sea Robbin,

Sea Trout, Weak-fish, Squeteague,
Sergeant-fish, Snook, Rovalia,
Schoolmaster (repetition of Snapper),
Snappers —

Mangrove or Gray, Cabalerote,

Dog Snapper, Jocu,

Schoolmaster,

Red,

Mutton-fish,

Lane,

Yellow Tail, Rabirubia,
Sand Perch, Goat-fish,
Spade-fish, Angel-fish,
Skate,

Shell-fish (repetition of Cowfish),
Spanish Mackerel, Carita,
Sole, American Sole,
Ray, Sting Ray, Stingaree, Whiptail

Ray,
Trippletail, Flasher, Chopa,
Tarpon, Tarpum, Grand Ecalle,
Turbot, Trigger-fish, Leather Jacket,
Trunk-fish (repetition of Shell-fish),
Whiting, Kingfish (small),
Yellow Tail, Rabirubia,
Yellow Jack.

I have added to the list some local names, not in J. & K., and
have not given in every instance all of their common and Spanish
names. Have endeavored to give all in general use where the fishes
are caught.

These fishes are not equally plenty in all the waters from Biscayne
Bay to Key West, but they are all caught in the waters. Some of
them are more plentiful in the channels leading into the Bay, and
some are more plentiful as you proceed south, the latter being the
case especially with the highly-colored fishes.

I was one of a party on the schooner "Privateer," in winter of
1897, out for the day only, who brought into the Royal Palm Hotel
thirteen species of choice fishes, which included Parrot-fish, Cowfish,
Porkfish, Angel-fish, Porgies, Grunts, Groupers, Snappers, and Tur-
bot. Our catch was a large one, as there had been a long warm spell.
The thirteen varieties were placed on a tray on a counter of the
hotel. All caught in Bears Cut.

Any one cruising below Miami will soon get on to the kinds of

210 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

fishes to catch at each point, but I will try to indicate the most plen-
tiful, as well as the choice ones, at each point.

Bluefish, Kingfish, and Spanish Mackerel, make their appearance
about November 1st, although a few stragglers, especially the Mack-
erel, are caught all the year round. The Kingfish never come
inside.

Trolling with squids for Spanish Mackerel inside the Bay is fair at
times, but without any periodicity or regularity which can be reduced
to any stated dates within the season.

The best catches are often opposite Cutler, about fifteen miles
south of Miami, and about half way across the Bay ; and between
Cocoanut Grove and Soldier Key, the former six and the latter
twelve miles distant from Miami, running to and fro over the
ground following the fish.

A few stragglers are picked up all through the winter and spring by
parties going for, and coming from, a day's fishing to Bears Cut, Cape
Florida, or Soldier Key ; so it is well to always put out a squid going
and coming. I have taken them in the channel (called the canal) all
the way out, commencing within half a mile of the Royal Palm.

During March, 1901, a large school remained just inside the outer
bar at Bears Cut for two weeks or more, and large catches were made
from it ; on one day a catch of 360, and another of 325, with several
smaller, the number brought to the Royal Palm that day being
between 900 and 1,000, all caught by sport fishermen. Many were
taken the same day by parties from the other hotels and boarding
houses in Miami and Cocoanut Grove. That school afforded fine
sport while it lasted.

Usually, while outside after Kingfish, by putting on a Mackerel
squid you can take them. Sometimes when you strike it right, it will
pay to let the Kingfish go and catch Mackerel ; but you are apt to
lose a lot of squids, as they and the line being smaller will not hold
the Kingfish, who will often go for it. I am inclined to think the
season of 1901 was the best the East Coast has ever had for Spanish
Mackerel.

Outside trolling for Kingfish, Amber Jacks, Barracuda, Scabbard
or Cutlass-fish, Permit, Sail-fish, Groupers, and the above stated
chance for Spanish Mackerel, and sometimes Bluefish, with squids,
red and white cloth, live or cut fish, red cedar squid, for bait, accord-
ing to the fish you desire to catch. Localities from Fowey Rock

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 211

Lighthouse, north, to the House of Refuge, about fifteen miles,
which with launch can be covered in one day, and by sailboat with
good wind. Very few will care to make the whole distance unless
they are after numbers of some one variety, usually Kingfish. I am
almost ashamed to say I was one of three who caught 135 Kingfish
one day in the winter of 1897, on the "Ada B.," Capt. Charles
Brickie, and we covered the distance from near Fowey Rock Light to
the House of Refuge ; it was a pretty rough day, too. Mr. Alfred
Costello of New York and Mr. B. J. Pacetti of Ponce Park were my
accomplices in the business.

As stated heretofore, you can on sufficiently quiet days leave the
launch or sailboat in a rowboat, and with rod and reel, with the bait
desired, take the above fishes. This is the most scientific method,
and to those who have fished a great deal, one fish caught this way
affords more pleasure than a hundred caught on a hand line. Still
we will all take the hand line once in a while. A very good way is
to troll from launch or sailboat, and when a fish takes your bait, luff
up if a sailboat, or stop the launch, play your fish until he is ex-
hausted. Or, when the fish strikes, get out into the rowboat and
" follow the fish " until you "bring him to gaff."

The ' ' patches ' ' are very numerous off Biscayne Bay, and any of
the experienced boatmen can take you to them, where all of the reef
fishes can be caught, such as Snappers, Groupers, Mutton-fish, Jew-
fish, etc. The Groupers up to fifty or sixty pounds, Jewfish and
Sharks up to almost any weight you can think of, certainly up to 400
to 500 pounds, if you can hold them. Mr. Costello and Mr. Miller
of Buffalo took one such day's work last winter and got all they
wanted of it. They brought a part of their catch up to the hotel,
which consisted of Groupers and Jewfish, of thirty to sixty pounds,
and several heads, and larger parts of the same kinds of fishes, the
Sharks having relieved them of the other parts while they were haul-
ing in. They had hold of many fish which they could not "stop"
at all, and had to cut their lines.

Sharks will nearly always follow a boat trolling, and will usually
take the whole or a part of some of the fishes you hook. Of the
135 mentioned above, I presume eight or ten had lost all but
their heads, and probably as many lost one-fourth to half their
length, this in addition to many where the Sharks had "gone the
whole hog."

212 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Ball Brothers of the schooner "Privateer" have invented a
method of not catching Kingfish, which affords the same sport as
catching them, and gives the Kingfishes themselves opportunity of
joining in the amusement. The device is simply the regular King-
fish squid with the hook entirely broken off.

Of course, the fishes will jump at this just the same as they will
if the hook were on, knocking the squid sky high, and while Ball
Brothers and their "parties" laugh, the Kingfishes can join in the
hilarity of the occasion.

There is fair trolling with rowboat, hand line, or rod and reel,
phantom, spoon, cut strip of fish or Minnow bait, along the west
shore, any distance north and south of the Royal Palm. Fishes are
Spotted Trout mostly, with occasional Groupers, Cavalle, and some
of the smaller fishes.

Up the Miami River affords about the same sport, with an occa-
sional small Channel Bass, and the Mudfish or Mud-sucker is caught,
mostly, by the colored people.

Above the rapids a few small Black Bass (large mouth) and Bream
(fresh water) can be caught, but the trip of five miles is not worth
the candle, as far as the fishing is concerned. The water has been
overfished.

Groupers, Grunts, Porgies, etc. , can be caught, with rod and reel,
1$, 2$, 3fo, 4fo hooks, small line, cut Mullet, or Crab bait, opposite
the Royal Palm, and just east of the main steamboat channel (or
canal), at any place where there is rock bottom, or patches, the whole
length of the canal. As the distance is less than a mile from the hotel
to the first grounds, it is handy for a rowboat fish of half a day.

Quite small Mangrove Snappers are caught in the mouth of the
river, and toward night, from the dock ; but they are hardly worthy
of attention.

About three miles south of Cocoanut Grove, in Snapper Creek,
Mangrove Snappers up to two pounds, and plenty of Grunts, are
caught.

Black Creek, about sixteen miles south of Miami, is a very fine
stream (or everglade slough) for Large-mouth Black Bass and Bream
(fresh water). The stream where it comes into a small bay is very
narrow and sinuous for about four miles, when it opens into some
comparatively broad water. There is barely enough width and water
to push a skiff through the creek to reach the fishing ground, but it is

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 213

worth the trouble if you are fond of Black Bass and Bream fishing.
During my one visit to the creek I used a small phantom, a small
spoon, very small Bream, which I caught with a worm taken out of
the decayed tops of the flag stems, cut Mullet, fishing with an Ocono-
mowoc Henshall rod, 6^ feet long, silk line, Nos. 2 and 3 Harrison
Sproat gut snood hooks, and all casting, no room for trolling. I also
did well with flies and fly rod, medium size Parmachene Belle, Brown
Hackle, Montreal, Ibis, and Miller. They took any and everything
I offered them, as the Black Bass of all these everglade streams will
do until they have been fished for considerably. I had with me, as
additional guide, Eddie Pent of Cocoanut Grove. I did the same as
above in the Miami River, just above the rapids, nine years ago.

Some Tarpon have been taken in Biscayne Bay north of Miami,
but I have never caught any there. I have tried them at Norris Cut,
just inside the channel, where I saw many, in fact was right in a school
of them there several times, but never could catch one, and I know
of no one who has been able to take one. Have made diligent
inquiry without success. Neither have I been able to get any detailed
information as to anyone's success in the northern part of the bay.
The Tarpon are there in plenty, and I have seen them.

There are Bonefish, Barracuda, Trout, and Cavalle all along the
west shore of the bay south to Arsenecker Keys, which are on the
west side, about twenty-six miles from Miami, and south of these
seven miles to Card Point. And there are the same fishes, with the
addition of Channel Bass and Mullet, in the small bays of the west
side. I have caught all these fishes on the shores, and in some of the
small bays, with the tackle and bait mentioned for each.

In my opinion, the greatest attraction for the angler in this
region, and in fact from here to Key West, lies in the waters of the
passes, cuts, creeks, and channels between the ocean and the inside
bays. So I will now commence to give in detail the waters I have
fished in among the Keys from Norris Cut to Key West.

My statements of distances are calculated in nautical miles from
the charts of the United States Geodetic Survey, and are direct from
point to point ; making no allowance for the necessary deviations in
navigation, and I ignore fractions of miles.

214 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

NORRIS CUT.

THREE MILES SOUTHEAST OF MIAMI.

The fishes here are Bonefish, Bluefish (rare), Barracuda, Cavalle,
Groupers, Grunts, Sand Perch (Goatfish), Pompano (rare), Porgies,
Sailor's Choice, Snappers, Tarpon.

BEARS CUT.

FOUR MILES SOUTHEAST OF MIAMI.

The fishes are Angelfish, Spadefish, Blackfish (Sea Bass), one
specimen, Bonefish, caught in the sand bars or "banks" inside, on
each side of the channel, Bream (salt water), Barracuda, Cavalle,
Sea Trout, Sea Chub, Cowfish, Groupers, Grunts of all varieties,
Sand Perch, Lizard-fish, Margate-fish, Mutton-fish, Pigfish, Spots,
Parrot-fish in three varieties, Pompano, Porkfish, Porgies of all
varieties, Runners, Sailor's Choice, Snappers, Schoolmaster, Turbot,
or Trigger-fish, Yellow Tail and all the foul fishes.

See method of catching these fishes under their description.

Here you will begin to need the Conch and Crawfish baits, as
they are both good all the way to Key West.

The Conch shells are picked up in shallow water, say two or three
feet deep, and can usually be found at all passes, cuts, etc., either
outside or inside. And you will also now need "grains," which is
a two-pronged fish spear, made of A No. 1 cast steel. The best are
made by a blacksmith at Cocoanut Grove, whose name I do not
know. Those bought at the dealers are usually "no good." Some
dealers may have good ones, but I have never been fortunate enough
to buy one worth one cent. When you need grains you need
'em bad, especially when you are "forty miles from nowhere,"
down among the Keys. You can buy grain handles in Miami or
Cocoanut Grove.

You will also need a " water glass, " which is simply a common
wood bucket with a glass bottom. The dealers can usually have one
made if they have none in stock. Try to get one made of white
cedar, unpainted, and with brass hoops, as it will last much longer.
Get one or two extra glasses, as they are apt to get broken. The
grains are to grain the Crawfish, which lie on the bottom all the way

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 215

from two or three feet to ten, so the grain handles should be twelve
to fourteen feet long. The boatmen go out with the rowboat, and
lean over the stern looking through the water glass, and spear the
Crawfish on the bottom and under the mangroves along the shores.
Usually it takes two men, one to handle the boat, while the other
hunts for and grains the Crawfish.

The grains are also used by the " Conchs " to spear fishes, such
as Snappers, Groupers, and other larger kinds. They call it
"striking" instead of graining or spearing. Some of the guides
and boatmen indulge in the same ' ' sport. ' '

The water from here down is quite clear, so that in places on
quiet days the bottom and fishes, sea fans, sponges, corals, etc., can
be seen twenty feet or more down. I believe that the "spongers"
get sponges with hooks over twenty feet down, and they all use the
water glass.

216 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

CHAPTER XV.

CAPE FLORIDA.
ABOUT EIGHT MILES FROM MIAMI.

Here there are ten channels marked on the chart, within a dis-
tance of about four miles from north to south, the most northern one
running alongside Key Biscayne. The main channel has been
dredged out, and beaconed (I presume) by Mr. Flagler at his own
expense, for use of his vessels, as well as those of Uncle Sam, and
all comers, foreign and home alike.

"Uncle Henry " has done as much (or more) for the East Coast,
in fact for the whole State, as ' ' Uncle Sam ' ' has done during the
whole time he has been in possession.

In the Steamboat Channel, as the main one is called, there is
rather the best fishing on the north side near the present largest bea-
con, say 200 feet west of it. Here you will get Groupers of two to
ten pounds, occasional good-sized Snappers, Porgies, Grunts, etc.,
etc. From Bears Cut all the way south, quite frequently, in warm
weather, a Barracuda will follow up a small fish while you are reeling
him in. When this occurs, take off your small hook, put on an 8f0
or 10$ and wire snood, a small Grunt or Porgie for bait. You will
be almost sure to get hold of the Barracuda.

The north channel is the best one for Snappers, along the shore
and mangroves, and where the water is deepest. The fishing is good
in all these channels, from their commencement in the Bay to where
they terminate on the Great Florida Reef. On the sand "banks"
between the channels, the "shallow-water Barracuda fishing,"
described in my description of that fish, is good, and there are many
miles of these banks between Cape Florida and Soldier Key, the next
Key south. Here it will be advisable to use Crawfish bait, if obtain-
able, for the smaller fishes. For Groupers and Snappers, I have
found cut Mullet or other cut fish more taking than any other bait.

This is the most southern point where I have found Mullet at all
plenty, in fact they are hard to get here and at Bears Cut, at times,

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 217

and are very scarce in all the channels and passes below ; but can be
gotten in many of the creeks and bays on the west shore of Biscayne
Bay, Card Sound, Little Card Sound, and Barnes Sound to the south.

When I am on good Grouper and Snapper ground and cannot get
Mullet for bait, if I have no small fish, I troll with small phantom,
and can usually catch a small Grouper and cut him up for bait. The
Groupers and Snappers are "cannibals," so will take their own
species readily when cut. If my phantom fails me I have recourse to
my canned clams or shrimp, for a starter. Sometimes the grains
come in handy.

From here south you will need to use a method of chumming in
vogue with all the market fishers of Key West, which is as follows,
viz :

Cut out the meat of your Crawfish, which is mostly in the tail
and part of the body, leaving the shell and antennte (they have no
claws). Tie two or three of these together with a string, then put
on a sinker, and fasten it over the side of the boat with a line, so it
will go within a foot or two of the bottom. This is very attractive
to the fish, as more or less of the meat left on, and the antennae, dis-
integrate slowly, and float away. This is much better than throwing
overboard any kind of chum, as it will float away with the tide and
you lose the desired use of it.

From Cape Florida south to Key West there is a natural law for
the protection of fishes which beats any law the State of Florida can
pass. This law is the fact that the rock formation is coral and under-
lies all the passes, creeks, channels, and the whole country. That
rock is jagged, crooked, lumpy, and irregular beyond description.
In many of the passes the bottom varies in depth from four or five
feet to twenty feet in a distance of thirty or forty feet. There are
holes and caverns of which you cannot see the bottom, while you can
see it around them where the water is twenty feet deep. The outside
shores show the same condition, and it is very troublesome to land a
boat and get out of it in many places, and of course walking on such
shores is difficult. I cannot compare it with anything, unless it would
be with a gigantic empty honey comb, with depressions and eleva-
tions on its surface. As a consequence, seine fishing is an impossi-
bility. A few drift and gill nets are used for Spanish Mackerel, but
I think without profit. I have seen none during the past two years.

All of the " Conchs " among the Keys use only hand lines and

218 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

grains. The market fishers of Key West catch all their fishes with
hand lines, from small sailboats, usually sixteen to twenty feet long,
with wells in them, and thus bring the fish in and sell them alive.
They put them in sunken boxes alongside the fish market dock,
usually separating the fishes according to species.

Their customers come and select the variety and size wanted.
There are no " middle men," each fisherman sells out his stock direct
to the consumer, who goes on his way rejoicing, and the fisherman
starts out after more fish. Now, there is an ideal anti -trust situation
for you.

SOLDIER KEY.

TWELVE MILES FROM MIAMI.

This Key belongs to the United States Government and was used
as a residence for the men who built Fowey Rock Lighthouse, four
and a half miles east, very near the outer edge of the Great Reef.
When this lighthouse was completed, the old Cape Florida Light, on
the extreme lower end of Key Biscayne, was abandoned. Soldier
Key is approached from the inside by two principal channels, in
which there is fair fishing for all the fishes of the bay ; but I have
never done very well in them except for the smaller varieties, such as
Grunts, Porgies, Small Groupers, and Snappers. I have seen many
Barracuda near the Key, but never caught one there. At times there
is fine Bonefishing around Little Soldier Key, a small "bump" or
rock a short distance to the south, and some are taken all around the
Key itself. In my general resume of Biscayne Bay I have described
the fishing on the reef east of this Key, and around Fowey Rock
Light.

I will here say that I have now reached the limit of one day's
fishing which can usually be done from Miami, either with sailboat
or launch.

Parties desiring to fish from here south to within a few miles of
Key West will have to "cruise," that is, will have to use their own
craft, or charter one large enough to live aboard. Such boats can be
chartered in Miami, of all suitable sizes, from twenty-five feet to
sixty-five feet, providing accommodations for from one person and
the skipper up to a party of five or six, with a crew of three or four.
One, two, or three small boats are necessary in all cases. The

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 219

owners usually provide a cast net, grains, and water glasses, but no
tackle. A bargain can be made by the day, including board ; but
the usual, and better, method is to pay for the boat and crew a price
per day, and provide your own provisions, buying what you need or
desire. There are no hotels or boarding houses on any of the Keys
between Miami and Key West.

The reader may take it for granted that he may from here south
catch one or more of all the fishes I have mentioned in my book so
far, and possibly some that I have not mentioned, as there are
probably 400, or more, mentioned in these waters by Jordan &
Kendall. Their entire "Check List of Florida Fishes" includes
576 species, so I guess I am within bounds.

As I have mentioned all that I consider is of importance to the
angler, have described them, and given their appropriate tackle and
bait, I will at each point mention only those that I think are remark-
able, especially plenty, or deserving of mention from some other
standpoint.

RAGGED KEYS.

The most northern of these Keys is about fifteen miles from
Miami.

They are five in number, and each one has a channel on each side
of it. They are numbered 1 to 5, commencing with the north one.
I especially recommend the fishing in the channels between Nos. 2
and 3, and 3 and 4, for all sorts of fishes. The bay entrances to the
channels are, in my opinion, the best, although just in line with the
Key north of No. 3 is A No. 1. Here I caught my first " Sea " or
" Bermuda Chub," which is a very gamy fish. I have also caught a
great variety of Groupers here, among them those that were named,
by my crew and myself, " Polka Dot " and " Dolly Varden ". Craw-
fish are readily obtainable here, more so than at any point to the
north. No Mullet as far as I know. Conchs plenty. Small Bar-
racuda, one to two feet long, are plenty around the shores inside, and
large ones in the channels ; and outside on the reef, in three to six
feet of water, there are many large ones, but they have always
been shy when I have been there. I saw plenty, but caught none.
These Keys are the property of Ball Brothers of the schooner
" Privateer."

220 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

SANDS CUT.
EIGHTEEN MILES FROM MIAMI.
This cut is between Sands Key on the north and Elliots Key on
the south. It is also called the " Aquarium," I presume because
there are so many fishes in it, and especially so many handsome ones.
In quiet weather the water is very clear and you can see the rock
bottom down twenty feet in many places. I have seen here very many
Angel-fish, Spadefish, Snappers, Groupers, Grunts, etc., etc. It is an
especially good place for large Mangrove Snappers and Groupers.
The best spots for large Snappers are in the middle of the main
channel about two-thirds through from the inside, and under some
mangroves on the north side just at the entrance from the ocean.
While fishing for the Snappers you will get large Groupers.

The Grunts, Porgies, etc., run all over the bottom of the cut, but
rather the best place is nearly in line with the Keys on the inner side.
The cut is a narrow and short one, and very rocky and uneven, with
deep wells, holes, or caverns in the bottom. You will lose lots of
sinkers and hooks here, which is unavoidable, as you must fish on the'
bottom, and take the chance of your hook, sinker, or line catching.
I presume I have left ten to fifteen pounds of lead in this cut.

On quiet, warm days you can get Angel-fish by fishing near the
bottom, not on it, with No. 3 hook, No. 6 line, strong double gut (not
twisted) snood, small long sinker, float, and Crawfish bait. They are
wary and will not bite freely, but will come up out of the wells, or holes,
sailing around your bait apparently undecided whether to take it or
not. Once in a while you will get one, but not many. They are
probably the most beautiful fish in the world, are very gamy, and a
fine table fish. In my experience they are generally an accidental
fish, that is, are caught while fishing for other small fish with rather
small hook.

During the winter or spring of 1899, Mr. Edward P. Borden,
who was with me on a cruise, while fishing for Snappers and Groupers,
hooked a Porgy or Grunt. While reeling him in a Barracuda made
for the Porgy or Grunt, but did not get him. Mr. Borden made a
lightning change of tackle, baited with a Grunt, cast it out, and in a
minute or two hooked the Barracuda, and in a short time landed him.
He weighed twenty-five pounds.

I very seldom give the "go by" to Sands Cut, but on every
cruise endeavor to take it in, going or coming.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 221

CHAPTER XVI.

CESAR'S CREEK.
TWENTY-FOUR MILES FROM MIAMI.
This is the pass between Elliots Key, north, and old Rhodes Key,
south and is one of the most noted and important sport fishing places
on the coast. All the fishes of the Keys are at times taken here. It
is especially frequented by sportsmen after Tarpon, which are very
often running in the outside channel.

Hogfish are more plentiful here than in any locality I have visited,
and are&caught in the outside channel just inside the line of the Keys
in about fifteen feet of water, 5* or 6* hook, 15, 18, or 21 line, rod
and reel, still fishing on the bottom. A little farther out in the
channel, in eight to twelve feet of water a great variety are caught.
Sharks plentiful, Rays not bad. Mangrove Snappers and Groupers
in the channel at each place designated, and along the shores where
there is deep water under the mangroves j but the good fishing does
not extend far into the cut to the west, and the western end and the
approaches to it are not good.

The outer channel here is peculiar, in that it has the appearance
of a canal for two miles out from the line of Keys, with shallow banks
on each side, north and south. On the south side, near the shore,
there is a cut or deeper place through the bank carrying two and a
half feet of water. Boats drawing only that water can go over and
save the long run out to the end of the channel or canal.

BROAD CREEK.
TWENTY-SIX MILES FROM MIAMI.
This creek is the pass between Old Rhodes Key, north, and Palo
Alto Key, south. There is no channel through from the bay to out-
side. One starts from the bay and runs about half way between the
Keys to half the distance through, when the water decreases to half
a foot, then, in a short distance, it again deepens and runs out to the

222 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

reef. In addition to this there is a slough, or old channel, commenc-
ing outside with two feet and running alongside Old Rhodes Key,
carrying seven feet of water and then down to less than a foot. I
have been in the channels and have done well for Snappers, Groupers,
Grunts, Porgies, etc. At high tide there is a fair flow of water
through and at all times enough to keep the fish there. There are
thousands of Crawfish in the creek and along near the shores. The
best way to approach this creek is to go by rowboat from anchorage
at the outside of Angelfish Creek, the next pass below.

ANGELFISH CREEK.
TWENTY-EIGHT MILES FROM MIAMI.

This is the pass between Palo Alto Key, north, and Key Largo,
south, the latter the largest of all the Keys, it being twenty-five miles
long.

This is celebrated fishing ground, especially for Angelfish, after
which it is named.

In addition to the main channel through from the west to the
east, there are two smaller creeks to the south running west and
coming out into the main channel, one of them is Little Angelfish
Creek, which runs between Angelfish Key and an unnamed Key to
the south of it, and the other is Pumpkin Creek, running between
the unnamed Key and Key Largo. There are also two creeks to the
north, which branch out from the main channel and run out into Card
Sound, as the inside water, or bay, is here called. One of these
two creeks has a branch which runs out north into Broad Creek. All
these waters carry good depth, and there is good fishing in all of them.

The main channel has many holes, caverns and wells, like those
at Sands Cut, and all sorts of fish are plenty. Anchor in five to ten
feet water on the outside, a little beyond the line of Keys, in the
channel, for Snappers, Groupers, Porgies, etc., etc. For large Man-
grove Snappers follow the south shore close to the mangroves. One
of the best spots is about half a mile inside the line of Keys, where
you will see a ledge of coral some six or eight feet down, suddenly
dropping to fifteen or twenty feet. Around the edges of that ledge
there are Snappers up to ten pounds, certainly. The very largest do
not seem inclined to bite, but you will get them up to seven and

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 223

eight pounds. All through the channel nearly to the western end
they are always in evidence.

Pumpkin Creek is deep, six to fifteen feet, and at times Snappers
and Groupers are very plenty. The other creeks are all good for all
the variety of Key fishes. The western approach is not good. The
Mangrove Snapper is usually in clear water a very shy and wary fish,
so sometimes when you can see literally hundreds of them you can
catch but few. I think cut fish bait for them here is better than any
other.

Angle for Angel-fish the same as at Sands Cut. There are more
of them here, in my opinion, than anywhere on the coast. You are
quite sure to catch some while fishing for other fish. There is little
inducement to troll in these channels and passes among the Keys, as the
tides are strong, making the rowing hard, and you can catch fish in
more scientific ways. Of all the places on the entire East Coast,
Capt. John and I are agreed that we like Angelfish Creek somewhat
the best.

The usual route for sport fishing from here to Indian Key is
through the inside waters, as they afford far better sport than the out-
side. This arises from the fact that outside we have for twenty-five
miles the blank shores of Key Largo, with two or three inside sounds,
which are supplied with salt water only from the outside, no connec-
tion through to Card Sound, etc.

I will now take you by the inside route to Indian Key.

STEAMBOAT CREEKS.

SIX MILES FROM ANGELFISH CREEK, AND THIRTY-TWO
MILES FROM MIAMI.

There are three of these creeks less than a mile apart at their Bay
entrances. They enter Key Largo from Card Sound, describe part
of a circle within the Key, and come out into Little Card Sound to
the south, varying in length from one to two miles.

The fishing in these creeks is not much affected by the tides, and
only the most northerly one is navigable for sailboats, launches, etc.
I have had very good success in them, especially for Mangrove Snap-
pers and Groupers, the best ground for them being in the first, or
north, creek, all the way through it — being somewhat the best com-
mencing about half a mile from the entrance and continuing- about a

224 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

mile. The north, or left, side rather the best ; but it is well to try-
both sides, which are alike in having a heavy growth of mangroves to
the water's edge and into it.

The other fishes are Cavalle, Groupers, Grunts, Jewfish, large if
you want them, Sailor's Choice, Rabirubia, Turbot, Sea Trout, Par-
rot-fish, Porgies, Spot, and, near the entrances on the "banks,"
Bonefish. Some Mullet on shallows around an island inside near the
entrance. Fiddlers can be found around the larger mangroves, where
there are little sandy places three or four feet from the shore.

At the entrance to the second, or middle, creek there is usually a
large lot of Snappers in quite deep water, near the north shore. The
water is more clear there than in any other place, so the Snappers
take the alarm as soon as two or three are taken.

The third, or south, creek is about the same as the second. Two
or three days can be spent here very pleasantly unless the mosquitoes
appear, which is apt to be the case if the weather is warm.

BONEFISH BANKS.
THIRTY-TWO MILES FROM MIAMI.

These "banks" extend from near the mouths of Steamboat
Creeks across the southern end of Card Sound (the next body of
water south of Biscay ne Bay) to the west shore, about two and three-
quarter miles, and extend north and south about three-fourths of a mile.

They are the dividing line between Card Sound, north, and Little
Card Sound, south, and during the last four years have acquired the
name of "The Bonefish Banks," well known to the devotees of
Bone fishing.

There is a cut, or channel, through the banks about half way be-
tween the shores, which carries three to six feet of water, through
which all the craft traveling north or south are obliged to pass. The
banks themselves carry from nothing to two or three feet, a consider-
able part of them being out of water at low tide.

I presume more Bonefish have been caught here than in any one
place in Florida. In the cut there are Cavalle, Runners, Mangrove
Snappers (small and medium size), Groupers, Grunts, Porgies, etc.
I have seen Tarpon here, many of them, but never caught one.

Near the bank, on the west side of the sound, there are, north

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 225

and south, several inside shallow bays, with everglade creeks running
into them. I have had my boat held at the mouths of the creeks,
north, while the tide was running in and have done very well with Bone-
fish ; and in the small bay, even with, and a little south of, the bank,
I have caught, and seen caught, Bonefish, Channel Bass, and Spotted
Trout. Mullet are quite plenty in the creeks coming into these bays,
but it is a bad place to throw a cast net, because of deep mud.
These bays extend on the north to Arsenecker Keys, and south quite
a distance ; I have not been far south in them. Between the first
bay, south, and Little Card Sound there is a little pass, or hole,
which is only ten feet or so deep, and about as wide, all covered over
by the branches of the mangroves, in which I caught a dozen or so
Snappers before they found me out. They soon quit and I could get
no more bites. Fiddlers are tolerably plenty on the sandy shores of
these bays and creeks, and a few on the main west shore. Bonefish
take them tolerably well.

JEWFISH CREEK.

EIGHT MILES FROM BONEFISH BANKS AND THIRTY-EIGHT
MILES FROM MIAMI.

This creek is at the southeast corner of Barnes Sound (the next
body of water south of Little Card Sound), and is the only channel
between Barnes Sound and Black Water Bay (the next bay to the
south). The creek is nearly one and a half miles long, with two
branches leaving it part way through, all emptying near each other
into Black Water Bay. Mangrove bushes and trees all the way
through.

The fishing in this creek and branches is A No. 1, for large Snap-
pers and Groupers. The water is not clear and so they are not very
shy. Fish all the way through on both sides, up near the roots and
branches of the mangroves. There are Sailor's Choice, small Group-
ers, and other small and medium fishes, just at the entrance of the
deep water on the west side.

The tides do not affect the fishing here. Jewfish are here, if you
desire them.

BOGGY.

Black Water Bay is nearly round and will average four and one-
fourth miles across. Boggy is nearly west from Jewfish Creek and

226 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

about the same distance from the south end of the creek. It is a cut,
or channel, from Black Water Bay into Florida Bay, sometimes called
the Great Bay of Florida, which extends to Cape Sable on the west
and to Key West on the southwest. It is a shallow bay, and the
water is usually roily and whitish from the disintegration of the coral
rock. More and more mangrove islands, or Keys, are constantly
forming in it.

Boggy carries tolerably clear water from Black Water Bay, and
the Snapper and Grouper fishing is usually very good.

The best places are on the south shore in the cut about half way
through, and along the north shore all the way through, and for
half a mile or more inside under the mangroves, out into Black Water
Bay.

In December, 1900, I had very successful fishing there. Capt.
Gardner caught an eight-pound Sheepshead while fishing for Snappers
along the south side, which was a surprise to us.

Now we will have quite a sail through milky water, until we near

TAVENIER CREEK.

TWELVE MILES (DIRECT) FROM BOGGY AND FIFTY-THREE FROM

MIAMI (DIRECT).

This creek is the pass from Great Florida Bay into the ocean, and
runs between Key Largo, north, and Long Island, south. The
entrance to it from the inside is shallow, and outside the same ; only
very small sailboats can pass through. But there is deep water in
the creek, and very fair fishing for all the Key fishes. For Snappers
and Groupers there is an especially good place about one-third
through on the south side, where there is quite a bend to the south.
Under the mangroves there I have caught, and seen caught, a great
many three to eight-pound Snappers and Groupers.

About two-thirds through, in the middle of the channel, there is
good Grunt, Porgie, etc., with occasional good Snappers. The
approaches at each end are not good.

Before leaving Tavenier Creek I must tell what I will call my
"Alibi Story."

On Christmas morning, 1890, I arrived on my boat in an inside
bay, three miles or so north of Tavenier Creek, and about two and

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 227

a half miles across the Key from Planter, which fronts on the ocean,
and is the only post-office between Miami and Key West. I always
have mail at Planter, so, whether going inside or outside, always
call for it.

We anchored a few hundred feet from the shore, where there is a
dwelling house, tomato patch, pineapple patch, etc. During our
calls in previous years a Swede family were in charge of the place,
which belonged to a gentleman residing in Miami ; but this time we
found two colored men in charge, who were working the place. We
landed and asked the darkies if we could get a barrel or two of
water, and were told we could.

In talking with them, we found they were from Daytona and had
worked for people whom Capt. John knew. I told my crew we
would all take a day off, so the ''captain, and the cook, and the
sailor, too," and myself, all walked across Key Largo to Planter,
over the worst trail you ever saw, through tomato, pineapple, and
cucumber patches, and through clumps of small timber, over coral
rock, through swamp, etc.

In the brush and timber it was like " Nesmuck's " trail, which
finally ran up a tree into a squirrel hole.

We reached Planter, however, about 10.30 or so, and found the
place entirely deserted. Three or four families reside in the place,
comprising probably twenty men, women and children.

We four lounged around, sitting on the wharf, the house porches,
etc., an hour or so, and then walked back to the bay. When we
arrived the darkies were at work, and I said to them that we would
have to stay there until the next day, because all the people at Planter
were off to a Christmas frolic, or to church, and we could not get
our mail. I said, ''There was not a living soul in the place."

The crew got a barrel of water and took it out to the boat, and,
except the cook, remained on shore some time.

Finally, I had my dinner about half-past one, and the crew had
their' s about two o'clock, after which the captain went ashore, and
with one of the darkies went hunting for squirrels.

The next morning the captain, the sailor, and myself walked over
to Planter after our mail.

Mr. Johnson, the storekeeper and postmaster, was not there, the
office being in charge of his son, or nephew, a boy of about eighteen.
We had been there several times before and were well known. The

228 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

young man asked me if we were there the day before, and being told
we were, he said that a friend had gone by in a sailboat and had told
him there were four men on the wharf about eleven o'clock. I asked
him why he mentioned that fact, and he said the post-office had been
robbed while they were all away Christmas morning to church, the
loss being $107. I turned to Capt. John and said, "John, we are
in a scrape"; and he replied, "No, the amount is not large
enough."

The boy at once said, " We don't think you did it, not for a mo-
ment ; you don't think we would have the least idea you did it, do
you? " I replied, " No, I don't think you would ; but if we did not
do it, who did? " I then questioned him as to all the people living
within ten miles, and they were all accounted for, in fact, were all
at the church, and no boats had passed, as they were only two miles
to the south and could see boats if there had been any. He then
said, " Nobody but those two niggers over on the bay front could
have done it " ; and we all replied that it was impossible, as we had
seen them all day ; and I said I would swear I had seen them all day,
and that they could prove an alibi by all four on my boat.

I told the boy all about it, and when I spoke of having said to
the darkies, " There was not a living soul on the place," he replied,
"They did it, and that remark led them to do it." We all pro-
tested that it could not be, and said, "The darkies can prove an
alibi, and we cannot." We felt a little cheap over the matter, and I
thought of the elder Weller's advice to his son Sam, when he said,
" I have got some friends as' 11 do either for him, but my advice 'ud
be this here — never mind the character, and stick to the alleybi.
Nothing like a alleybi, Sammy, nothing." But we had no "al-
leybi" to stick to. That burglary lay between those two darkies
and ourselves, and the darkies could prove an "alleybi " by us.

Well, we were not arrested ; in fact, there was no officer there to
do that work, and we went on our way, rejoicing, down to Key West,
where we remained a few days. From there we worked north out-
side, and about two weeks after the burglary landed at Planter for
our mail.

We found the same young man in charge, and asked him if they
had found out who committed that robbery. He said, "Yes, it was
those two niggers."

We said at once, " Impossible, they could not have done it"; and

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 229

he replied, " Not much impossible, as they have confessed, given up
the money, and are in jail in Miami waiting their trial."

If lam ever called upon to prove an " alleybi " for a friend I
shall be very careful what I swear to.

WINDY ISLAND CHANNEL.
ABOUT FIVE MILES SOUTH OF TAVENIER CREEK.

This channel is between Windy Island and Upper Mattacombe
Key. In it are all of the Key fishes.

UPPER MATTACOMBE CHANNEL.
ABOUT SEVEN MILES FROM TAVENIER.

These channels are between Windy Key, north, and Upper
Mattacombe Key, south. One channel runs clear through and carries
good water, and against Windy Key there is an old channel closed in
the middle, but having fair water at each end. All of the fishes of
the Keys are caught here. Crawfish are plentiful all along here, but
no Mullet, or only occasionally a small school.

230 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

CHAPTER XVII.

INDIAN KEY.

THIRTY-SIX NAUTICAL MILES FROM MIAMI BY THE USUAL
OUTSIDE ROUTE.

Upper Mattacombe Key is to the north of it and Lower Matta-
combe to the south.

This is a small key of thirteen acres and stands out in the ocean
about one and one-fourth miles from the line of the Keys. It is his-
toric as the place where Doctor Perrine was killed by the Indians
during the Seminole War. While Alligator Lighthouse was being
built, about four miles out on the edge of the reef, it was used as a
base of supplies, and as a residence for the workmen. As there has
been a large cistern under the house, built by the Government, which
usually had a supply of rainwater, it has been a place of call for most
light-draft yachts and fishing boats traveling up and down the coast.
It is quite an attractive stopping point. I have called there many
times, remaining from one to four days each visit. It is uninhabited
at present (May, 1901).

As a fishing resort it has no superior on the coast, especially as to
a great variety of highly-colored species.

There are two channels between it and Upper Mattacombe, and
two between it and Lower Mattacombe, all four leading up into
Florida Bay, and there is good water south of it. Mangrove Snap-
pers, Groupers, Runners of several varieties, Yellow Tails, Angel-fish,
Spadefish, Porgies in variety, Porkfish, Hogfish, Parrot-fish of several
varieties, Grunts, etc., etc., are all caught here, as well as Bonefish,
Barracuda, Spanish Mackerel and Kingfish, the latter two outside.
Yellow Tails here begin to be more plentiful.

There is very little choice in the channels, but possibly the first
one to the north and the Lower Mattacombe may be the best two.
During a cruise, in the winter of 1900, Professor Walker and myself
each caught thirteen varieties of fishes in a forenoon's fishing.

To the east and south of the Key, Mangrove Snappers, Groupers,
as well as smaller fishes, are quite plentiful within a few hundred feet

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 231

of the shore, in eight to ten feet of water. There is fine trolling
around Alligator Lighthouse for Barracuda, with hand line or rod
and reel, with a chance, also, of taking Amber Jacks, Kingfish and
Groupers. Run around the lighthouse, from 100 to 500 feet distant
from it, and to the east, to the edge of the reef.

Mangrove Snappers, of from three to ten pounds, are very plentiful
immediately around the lighthouse, as they gather there to eat the
refuse thrown down by the keepers. Anchor your rowboat within ten
or fifteen feet of the iron columns, use only 18, 21 line, 6$ hooks,
with cut fish or Crawfish bait.

After you have fished awhile the Sharks will come in for their
share, and will take your fish entirely or partly off. Professor Walker
and myself were there in April, 1900, having fine success, until the
Sharks one after another put in their appearance, increasing in num-
ber to fifteen or twenty, and in weight from 100 to 200 pounds. We
kept at it until we concluded we were in danger, as some of the
Sharks in following up our fish ran within an oar's length of our
boats, and some ran under them. Discretion was the better part of
valor, so we quit. Nearly all fish caught are returned to the water,
as there is no use for them, except a few for the boat's table.

When I was there last the keeper in charge of the lighthouse
invited me to fish from the lower platform, some ten or twelve feet
above the water ; but I politely declined, as I preferred the boat.
I presume he will accord the privilege to any applicant.

During our cruise on the "Manatee," Mr. Borden and myself had
good success around the lighthouse with Barracuda, trolling, block
tin squid, from rowboat.

There are many Bonefish banks within two or three miles of the
Key, up in the Bay of Florida, among them, on each side of the
main channel to the north, between Upper Mattacombe Key and
Shell Key, in two channels between Shell Key and Lignum Vitae
Key to the west, and in the channel between Lignum Vitae and
Lower Mattacombe. Sand Crabs or " Sprites " for bait can be found
around the shores of the Keys.

In the above I tell of Professor Walker and myself each catching
tiiirteeti species of fishes, and in my account of Biscayne Bay tell of
taking into the Royal Palm thirteen different species. The number
thirteen seems to be an especial angling favorite of mine. I have had
two other instances of its occurrence.

232 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

While en route from St. Louis to Florida, during the winter of
1890, I met in the smoking room of the Pullman a gentleman from
Chicago who had a bundle of fishing rods with him ; I also had a
bundle. We got to talking about fish, and as we each had rods
along we each knew the other was all right, and were warm friends
in fifteen minutes. I told him what my plans were and that I was
alone, and the conversation ended in an agreement to make the
cruise together, which I had intended to make alone. The cruise
was on the "Lillie Shippy," Capt. Dick McCarty, with John
Gardner, assistant. The gentleman was Mr. John B. Zimmerman.

I stated to him that I had seen somewhere, I believe in Henshall,
that ten different fishes had been caught at one anchorage of a small
boat in Indian River Inlet, all with cut Mullet bait. We resolved
to test its truth, and caught thirteen species.

A year or two after the above occurrence an acquaintance of
mine came to Indian River Inlet with only fly tackle, and caught
thirteen Trout and Ladyfish with it ; nearly all the former.

The Trout is almost the only salt-water fish in Florida which will
take a fly ; and he rarely does so.

Some are caught off the bridge at Daytona ; usually only in the
fall, when they are plenty and hungry. I have caught a few small
Mangrove Snappers under the mangroves, one-fourth to one-half
pound, never a large one, and I have faithfully tried.

When at Indian Key, three years ago, a family, consisting of a
man and wife, two or three half-grown boys and some younger chil-
dren, occupied the house, and had charge of the Key for the owner,
who resided in Key West. The old gentleman was originally from
the "Bamas," as the " Chonchs " all pronounce Bahamas. He had
resided on several Keys, lived in Key West, "sponged," fished, and
last, but not least, had "wracked" (as they call wrecking) a great
deal. He had a great fund of wrecking stories to tell, and would
say that such and such a ship made a "fine wrack," paid $25,000,
$40,000, etc., etc., to the wreckers.

He had two or three claims in the United States Court at Key
West, as I think is constantly the case with about half the " Chonchs,"
and many of the residents of Key West.

Wrecking is one of the important, and lucrative, industries of the
Key people.

One morning after breakfast, in looking toward the house from

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 233

the boat, I saw something projecting from the sea gable window
which I could not quite understand, so asked Capt. John to get the
glasses and let me know what it was. He looked a moment or so, and
said, "That is a two-foot boy looking for 'wracks' with a three-foot
telescope." And so it was, as we afterwards found. Some one of
the family was always at that window with the telescope. Some of
those unsophisticated " Chonchs ' ' actually think that once in a while a
vessel gets onto the reef " on purpose," for the sake of the insurance,
but we business men know that cannot be the case. I heard the next
year that our friend of Indian Key had gotten into a share in a "good
wrack," and had retired from business temporarily. I hope the story
is true, as he entertained us nicely, giving us much information, and
was very kind in every way.

LOWER MATTACOMBE CHANNELS.

The southwest end of Lower Mattacombe Key is five miles south-
west of Indian Key. There are four channels between it and the
northern end of Long Key, four miles distant.

These channels leading into the Bay of Florida, as all south of
Tavenier Creek to Key West do, carry from four to fifteen feet of
water, and all the fishes of the Keys are caught in them.

LONG KEY.

This Key is four miles long, and is well known, as the southern
end is the usual starting point for small and medium-size craft bound
for Cape Sable across the Bay of Florida, on the West Coast.

All of the fishes of the Keys are caught in the six channels
between it and Duck Key, the next one south on the Key line, and
five miles distant.

Spanish Mackerel are frequently very plenty here during the
season, outside, and well to the inside at times. The two small
Conch Keys lie about one mile inside the Key line, between
channels, about two-thirds distance between Long and Duck Keys.

Between Duck Keys and Bahia Honda Key harbor and channels
there are on the outside Key line sixteen Keys, not counting some
very small unnamed ones (on the charts). They are Harbor, Toms,

234 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Grassy, Crawl (3), Vaca (3), Boot, Knight, Pigeon, Molasses,
Duck, Bahia Honda.

As all of the fishes of the Keys are caught in the channels
between these Keys, and as the story of one is the story of all, I will
have to group them together, and turn the twenty channels within
the distance over to the reader to make his own choice.

BAHIA HONDA HARBOR.
THIRTY-TWO MILES NORTHEAST OF KEY WEST.

This is one of the most important fishing points on the East Coast.
The Harbor, so-called, is about four miles long east and west, and
about a mile wide north and south. I mean by this the part carrying
good depth of water. From this Harbor three principal channels
lead into the Bay of Florida to the west ; the largest and deepest one
being Big Spanish Key Channel, between Little Pine, Grassy, and
Little Spanish Keys on the north and No Name, Porpoise, Mayos and
Annette Keys on the south.

The northern channel is between Little Pine on the south and
Johnson and Shellfish Keys on the north.

The southern channel is between No Name, Porpoise, and Mayo
Keys on the north and Big Pine Key on the south.

There are lesser channels and banks to the north of the above
mentioned northern one. All of the last mentioned Keys are
inside of the outer line of Keys and lie at nearly right angle with the
outer line.

About one and one-quarter miles to the southwest of, and in line
with, Bahia Honda Key lie the two West Summerland Keys, with a
channel to the west between Big Pine and Torch Keys.

In all of these channels there are all sorts of Key fishes. Tarpon
are especially abundant here at times, and Barracuda, Permits, Group-
ers, Snappers of all varieties, Mutton-fish, Pork-fish, Yellow Tail,
Grunts, Porgies, Angel-fish of four varieties, Spanish Mackerel and
Kingfish in their season ; Shell-fish, Jewfish, Hog-fish, Mullet, Jack,
Crevalle, and Runners. I have seen many Spanish Mackerel running
half a mile inside, and the school extending out onto the reef. On
the sides of the deepest water in the channel, on hard bottom and

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 235

five to eight feet of water, Yellow Tails, Porgies, and Grunts, in all
their varieties, are plenty.

One drawback here is the large number of small Sharks, from
three to four feet long, who will take your fishes off while you are
reeling them in.

FROM BAHIA HONDA TO KEY WEST (OUTSIDE).

As all of these channels are similar in their variety of fishes, to
save repetition I will have to group them, mentioning especially only
Boca Chica channels.

The outside line of Keys, with their channels of same names, are
as follows, viz : New Found Harbor Keys (4), with a good channel
to the west between Ramrod, north, and Summerland and Knock
Down Keys, south ; then Pyes Harbor Key, with a first-class channel
west between Summerland and Knock Down, north, and Cudjoes
Key, south. Then, in regular line, Sugar Loaf Key, with two chan-
nels, Deer Island, Saddle Bunch Keys Harbor and channels, which
last afford especial fine sport ; Saddle Hill Island, Bird Key, Pelican
Key and channels, Geigers Key, with Big Coppit, Rockland and East
Rockland Keys west of it.

The next is Boca Chica Key, with three channels. This is quite
a noted fishing ground. Here there is almost every fish of the Keys.
Mango Snappers along all the mangroves where there is deep water.
There was formerly a rock quarry here, to supply rock in the north-
west channel and for use in Key West. Near the old dock, and in a
slough coming in near it, there are fine Snappers. I have caught some
off the little bridge over the slough, long casting. A very pleasant
place to spend a few days.

Next comes Cow Key Channel, and then Key West Channel to
Key West.

236 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

CHAPTER XVIII.

KEY WEST.

ABOUT ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-THREE NAUTICAL MILES
FROM MIAMI, USUAL STEAMBOAT COURSE.

This is a very interesting old city, but I have very little to add,
from the angler's standpoint, to what I have already written. Here
during a short stay you can usually see every one of the Key fishes
brought in alive to the fishermen's wharf, and it is of course quite a
rendezvous for yachtsmen and sport fishermen. All sorts of boats
can be chartered for long or short cruises, on about the same terms as
at Miami. As is well known, it is the market for the spongers of the
East Coast, of whom there are hundreds ; and it is the market and
supply point for the residents of the near-by Keys.

The range of the market fishers to the north is, as a general state-
ment, to Bahia Honda. Their cruises are from twelve to forty-eight
hours, as they cannot keep their fish longer, and their boats are open
and small, with little, or no, cabins.

I made a trip to within a short distance of East Crawfish Key
northwest of Key West, where I caught a great variety of fishes,
including Snappers (Lane and Mangrove), Groupers, Porgies, Grunts,
and the salt-water Bream I have heretofore mentioned, and which I
have not been able to identify with anything in Bulletin 47 or any-
thing I had caught before. He is a fine game and edible fish. I
would rank him A. Weight averages about three-fourths pound.

Mr. Henry J. Pierce, a veteran pilot, guide, and boatman of Key
West, piloted me to the above grounds, and I am indebted to him for
the description of the following inside route from Key West to Bahia
Honda, which I have never taken ; as also for other information given
me regarding fishes, baits, etc., in the Key West waters.

He recommends as bait for Tarpon : Mullets, Finny Crabs,
Pilchards alive, and Bollioes. For Bluefish, Snappers, Mutton-fish,
and Groupers : Mullet and Crawfish. Crabs for Permits ; and Craw-
fish and Conchs for all the other fishes ; and told me Mullet could be

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 237

had all around Key West. I have never used them there. Narrow
Shad (I presume Menhaden) are good bait for most any kind of
fishes. His opinions are the same as my own.

Yellow Jacks, Bluefish, Pompano, and Amber Jacks are caught on
all the outside reefs, same as farther north.

238 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

CHAPTER XIX.

INSIDE ROUTE FROM KEY WEST TO BAHIA HONDA.

N. W. in Calda Channel to Flemmings Key ; then N. E. between
Channel and Desolation Keys, sailing nearest the former ; then be-
tween Dog and Hawk, nearest the latter ; then midway between
Snake and Eagle Nest ; then between Crane and Wall, nearest
the latter ; then west of Whiting ; then midway between Saddle
Bunch and Snipe ; then on N. E. to the west of Sugar Loaf and Cud-
joes ; then between Michaels and Budd ; then south of Raccoon ; then
between Water and Torch ; then N. W. of Howes ; then S. E. into
the channels between Annette and Howes, and Big Pine, south, and
Mayos and Porpoise, north ; then down on the north side of No Name
Key into Bahia Honda Harbor.

No boat drawing over two to two and a half feet of water should
attempt the above route. Fishes on the route : Tarpon, Gray Snapper,
Lane Snapper, Groupers, Pompano, Bluefish, Lady-fish, Grunts,
Porgies, etc., of course in the channels and rock bottoms.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

239

CHAPTER XX.

EAST COAST HOTEL AND BOARDING HOUSE LIST.

Location and Name
of Hotel.

Name of Proprietor
or Manager.

Rate
Per Day.

Rate
Per Week.

Atlantic Beach.

Continental Hotel

BOYNTON, FLA.

Hotel Boynton

City Point, Fla.

Hatter House

Cocoa, Fla.

Jarvis House

Thomas House

Indianola (Cocoa Sta'n)

Indianola House

Daytona, Fla.

The Colonnades

The Ridgewood

Schmidt's Villa

Holly Inn

Palmetto

Volunteer

Halifax House

Daytona House

Van Dorn Cottage

The Oaks

Troy House

City Hotel

Clarendon Inn

Restaurant and Rooms

Fountain City Hotel...
Eau Gallie, Fla.

Grenada

Boarding House

Eden, Fla.

Netherly House

Fort Lauderdale, Fi.a.

Wallace House

Fort Pierce, Fla.

Fort Pierce Hotel

Jensen, Fla.

Al Fresco

Key West, Fla.

Hotel Key West

Duval House

Edgar House

Private Board

Lantana, Fla.

Lantana House

Lemon City, Fla.

Carey House

Florida East Coast Hotel Co.

N. S. Boynton

Mrs. J. D. Hatter

Mrs. Jarvis

Mrs. Thomas.

$2.00

1.50

2.00
1.00

$12.00

8.00

10.00
6.00

G. W. Schuyler.

C. C. Post

Rose & Lang worthy.
Henry Schmidt

T. L. Rogers

Mrs. W. Van Dorn

Mrs. G. Silvernail

Mrs. M. Troy

G. H. Matthews j

Leonard Gill 2

Miss Parkins

Leon Despland

G. G. Gleason

Mrs. C. L. Taylor.

M. A. Curtis.

A. J. Wallace.
F. M. Tyler...,
J. L. Jensen

3.50
3.00
2.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
2.00
1.50
1.50
1.50
1.50
50 and up
1.50

2.50

Mrs. O'Bryan.
M. B. Lyman.
J. T. Carey...

2.50
1.50
2.50
2.00

2.00
2.00
1.50

2.00

2.00

8.00

17.50
20.00

Special.

Special.

Special.
10.00

Special.

10.00

10.00

8.00

Special.

Special.

Special.
Special.

Special.
5.00

15.00

9.00

15.00

.00 to 12.00

Special.
Special.
Special.

12.00

.00 to 10.00

240 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

EAST COAST HOTEL AND BOARDING HOUSE LIST. — (Continued.)

Location and Name
of Hotel.

Melbourne, Fla.

Carleton

Belleview

Riverside

Snedeker's

Merritt, Fla.

Nevin's Riverview

Miami, Fla.

Hotel Royal Palm

Biscayne

Everglade

Bay View

Mims, Fla.

Roberts'

Strahan's

New Smyrna, Fla.

Ocean House

Hillsboro Inn

Palmetto House

Boarding Houses

Oak Hill, Fla.

Barker's

Adams'

Ormond, Fla.

Ormond Hotel

Coquina

River View

Rose Villa

Osteen, Fla.

Pattillo's

Blauvelt's

Pablo Beach.

Hotel Pablo

Palm Beach, Fla.

Hotel Royal Poinciana

The Breakers (formerly
The Inn)

The Hybiscus

Delmore Cottage

Palm Beach Hotel

Ponce Park, Mosquito

Inlet.

Park Hotel

Pacetti House

Port Orange, Fla.

Port Orange House. .

Hardeman's

Riviera, Fla.

Hotel Riviera

ROCKLEDGE, FLA.

Hotel Indian River...

Plaza

New Rockledge

White Cottage

Name of Proprietor
or Manager.

F. Robertson

W. R. Campbell.
C. L. McBride...,
H. O. Snedeker. .

Rate
Per Day.

$2.00
2.50
1.50
LOO

J. J. Wilkinson.

Florida East Coast Hotel Co.

S. Graham

T. N. Gautier

D. M. Conally

Rate
Per Week.

$10.00

12.00

7.00

6.00

5.00

2.50 to 4.00 12.50 to 30.00
2.50 to 3.50 12.00 to 18.00

1.50

Harry Roberts.
F. A. Strahan.

F. W. Sams

P. L. Paul

Mrs. S. H. Ray.
Mrs. Moeller....

H. P. Barker.,
T. M. Adams.

Florida East Coast Hotel Co.
J. A. Bostrom

E. Lee

F. Mason

4.00
2.50
1.00
2.50

LOO
1.00

Mrs. E. P. Shipman 2.00

Florida East Coast Hotel Co. 5.00 and up

Mrs. J. E. Pattillo.
J. A. Blauvelt

Florida East Coast Hotel Co.

E. R. Jenkins

Mrs. R. B. Moore

Chas. A. Stone ,

Mr. Ellison

Mrs. M. J. Pacetti

E. A. Brohm....
Mrs. Hardeman.

A. E. Heyser.

S. H. Peck

H. P. Shares & Son
J. J. White

4.00 and
2.50
2.00
2.00

2.50
2.00

2.00
1.50

2.00

4.00
2.50
2.50
1.50

up

8.00 to 10.00

5.00
5.00

15.00

10.00
Special.
Special.

5.00
5.00

10.00

6.00

15.00

4.00
4.00

10.00

Special.
12,00
10.00

12.00
10.00

9.00
5.00

10.00 to 15.00

Special.

Special.

Special.

7.00 to 10.00

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

241

EAST COAST HOTEL AND BOARDING HOUSE LIST. —(Continued.)

Location and Name
of Hotel.

Name of Proprietor
or Manager.

Lawrence C. Moore

Florida East Coast Hotel Co.
Florida East Coast Hotel Co.
Florida East Coast Hotel Co.

Palmer & McDowell

Mrs. Tyler

ROSELAND, FLA.

Ercildoune Inn

St. Augustine, Fla

Ponce de Leon

Alcazar

Cordova

Magnolia

St. George

Florida F. C. Hayden

Buckingham iGeo. C. Howe

Granada H. Wauchenheusen.

Barcelona i Miss Hasseltine

Valencia. Mrs. Mary Frazier. . ,

Algonquin '\

Ocean View

Craddock House Mrs. J. E. Craddock

Argy le M rs. A twood ,

La Posada Mrs. Rumley

The Neligan Mrs. H. Neligan

La Borde S. W. Cole

Palmetto J. S. Bentley

The Abbey I

Rate
Per Day.

Spear Mansion Mrs. A. R. Spencer.

f3.00

00 and up

00 and up

Rooms

3.00

2.50
00 to 300

2.50

2.50

2.00

2.50

2.00

2.50

2.00
50 and up

1.50

1.50

Rate
Per Week.

.$20.00

only.

Special.
Special.
Special.
Special.
Special.
10.00
Special.
Special.
Special.
Special.

Special.
7.00

1.50

7.00

Teahan House W. M. Teahan.

Plaza Hotel B. D. Sanchez.

Lynn's Arcade ,

Allen House

Munson House

Seabreeze (see Daytona).
Sebastian, Fla.

Palm House

Morrow House

Stuart, Fla.

Retching's

Boarding House ,

Titusville, Fla.

Indian River Hotel

Gray's Cottage

Gould's

Bauknight's

West Jupiter.

Carlin House

West Palm Beach.

The Palms

The Seminole

Earman House

The Leamington

Boarding House

Boarding House

J. H. Lynn & Co.
Mrs. Dan Allen...
F. Munson

S. Retching

Mrs. J. Morrow.

B. Retching

J. S. Danforth..

2.00
2.00

.50

2.00
1.50
1.50

2.00
2.00

1.50

( Special
( by week,
f Special
\ by week,
f Rooms
( only.

Special.

Special.

Special.

10.00
8.00

7.00

J. T. Bast

Mrs. Gray

Mrs. Gould. . .
C. Bauknight.

2.50

10.00

1.50

7.00

1.00

5.00

1.00

5.00

Mrs. M. M. Carlin.

2.00

J. C. Stowers

Geo. Zapf

Mrs. S. F. Earman

Mrs. Madison 2

L. D. Lockwood

H. T. Grant

10.00

2.00 10.00 to 18.00
2.00 12.00 to 15.00
2.00 10.00 to 12.00
00 to 2. 50 Special.
2.50 Special.

2.00 8.00 and up.

Handsome Souvenir Pamphlet will be mailed upon application.

242 WHERE, WHEN, AXD HOW TO CATCH FISH

CHAPTER XXI.

As I have heretofore said, the market fishing at Key West is with
hand lines and wire fish traps. The latter appliance is made of
^6 -inch iron wire and usually is about three feet long, one and one-
half broad, and one and one-half high. The fisherman takes it out
in his boat and puts into it the shells, antennae and some of the meat
of crawfishes, sinking it alongside his boat. The fish enter it by a
circuitous route, nearly all not being able to find their way out ; the
catch with it will average about the same as with the hand line,
possibly somewhat more, so the fisherman has two strings to his bow.
My especial wary friends of the Snapper and Pompano families are
not often inveigled into the contrivance, one or two to the "drop"
being a fair average. The " drop" is a term by which the fishermen
here designate each anchorage.

Messrs. Walter and Jefferson Griffin make a specialty of Pompano
fishing. During my visit of sixteen days, in December, 1901, they
brought in eighty-five one day and seventy-five the next day ; as that
fish sells at a higher price than any other, they are not much called for
and, consequently, not many are caught ; none are shipped. On
December 26th I went out with Walter after Pompano, a party of
four catching forty in about three hours — twenty with rod and reel
and twenty with hand line.

The Griffins are also very expert in catching all the bottom and
other fishes, having caught on several separate occasions thirty-one
different varieties during a morning's fishing of two to four hours,
and three or four "drops." Several times I knew of Jefferson
catching 250 fishes, leaving home about 5 A. M. and returning about
12 M. He often stopped at my boat to show me his rare specimens.
They do not bring in the foul fishes, such as Sharks, Rays, Sawfish,
Catfish, Toadfish, etc., etc. These are much less troublesome here,
and among the near-by Keys, than at any other place I have visited
in the State of Florida. Nearly all the highly colored species are
quite plenty, such as Angel-fish, Parrot-fish, Groupers, Mangroves,
Schoolmasters, Lane and Yellowtail Snappers, Porkfish, Hogfish,
Spanish Mackerel, etc.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 243

I have visited the Naples (Italy), Brighton (England), and New
York aquariums, and the U. S. Fish Commission's aquarium exhibits
at the National Expositions at Philadelphia, New Orleans, Chicago,
Atlanta, and Buffalo ; and have looked through the fish markets of
London (Billingsgate), New York (Fulton), Boston, Philadelphia,
New Orleans, Mobile, Pensacola, San Francisco, Portland, Ore.,
Victoria, Columbia, Quebec, Havana, Cuba, Nassau, Bahamas, Amster-
dam, Vienna, Venice, Catania, Genoa, Palermo, Naples, Messina,
Nice, Marseilles, Malta, Algiers, Tunis, and those of many smaller
places, and must say I think that during any one week of good
weather several of the most expert fishermen of Key West each catch
a greater number of species than were in any one of the above-
mentioned collections.

Nearly all the fish are sold by the fishermen direct to the con-
sumer, there being no so-called "Fish House," or "Factor," in
the city. Many Kingfish are, however, sold, or shipped for sale, to
Cuba, the fishermen receiving written tenders or bids for them,
selling to the highest bidder.

Localities for bottom fishing : About one -fourth mile northwest
of the "Small Fleet Harbor" and continue about six miles in same
direction on the edge of, in, and near the northwest channel : for
Grunt, Porgies, Sailor's Choice, Snappers of all kinds, Cavalles,
Runners, etc., and occasional Pompanos, Bluefish, and Spanish
Mackerel. Also for same fishes, Pearl Channel, American Banks,
Target Bank, about northwest of city ; Crawfish Channel, and Head
and Pebble Channel, about west ; and Bluefish Channel, three miles
due north.

Trolling, called in Key West " towing," for Kingfish, Barracuda,
Amber Jacks, Large Permits, etc., in the channel leading out to the
sea, and in front of the city, south and southeast.

For Yellow Tails, especially : At the red buoy off Fort Taylor ;
on the edge of Crawford Bar ; and in the ship channel to the western
dry rocks, on the patches. All sorts of fish are caught on the various
reefs.

Owing to the coral formation, which precludes the use of seines,
and the peculiar methods of fishing and sale of the fish, it would
seem they cannot be so easily partially exhausted as they have been
in some localities on both the western and eastern coasts.

In view of all of the above, I wonder why Key West has not

244 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

heretofore attracted more attention from the salt-water angling
fraternity. Parties stopping at the Royal Palm, Miami, and at the
Royal Poinciana and The Breakers, Palm Beach, can take the steamer
at Miami, arriving at Key West within sixteen hours, spend some
days fishing, if they have favorable weather, and return same route
in same time.

The Griffin Brothers and Merritt Brothers, although market
fishers, and Henry J. Pierce, will at all times be glad to take parties
out and will usually give them good sport.

On leaving Key West, December 27, 1901, I took what the
fishermen and sailors call the "bay way " north, running out through
Calda Channel into the Bay of Florida, and then northeast, leaving
the inside line of Keys on the right to the east, running into Big
Spanish Key Channel to Bahia Honda. A very pleasant and com-
paratively easy course during southerly and easterly winds. This
course can be continued on to Knight's Channel leading east to
Knight's Key, on the coast, thus passing by, to the west, all the
inner Keys between Key West and Sombrero Lighthouse.

I arrived at Ponce Park October 10, 1901, and found heavy rains
had prevailed for several weeks, which had made the water in Halifax
River so fresh that the fishing, usually very good at that time, was
very poor. There were no Bluefish, or but occasionally one, and
very few Trout, or others of the great variety caught there in other
seasons. Channel Bass were in moderate supply in the surf, and near
the inlet on the banks inside. I left there on the 30th for a
cruise to Key West, remained three days at New Smyrna on Hillsboro
River, five miles south of Ponce Park, where I found very good fish-
ing for all the fishes of the locality, the water there being almost as
salt as usual, because there are no fresh-water streams emptying into
the Hillsboro.

My next stop was at Indian River Inlet, where I found all the
conditions favorable ; plenty of Snappers, Groupers, Channel Bass,
Cavalle, etc., etc.

During the year 1891 a law has been passed forbidding seine fish-
ing entirely in Indian River, but allowing gill nets and, of course,
cast nets. This law, and the one regarding the one-mile limit, are
well observed at the inlet, so it will soon be known what the result
of the new law will be. In addition to the above stops, I made one,
each, at Jupiter, Lake Worth Inlet, Miami, Bears Cut, Csesar's

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 245

Creek, Angelfish Creek, Jewfish Creek, Boggy, Tavernier Creek,
Cow Pen, Indian Key, and Bahia Honda, at all of which places I
had very poor success, except at Indian Key, Boggy and Cow Pen,
owing to prevailing " Northers." At Indian Key I had fine Barra-
cuda fishing, trolling with rod and reel, 10# hook, cut fish bait,
around Alligator Lighthouse, and inside in the channels for the
assortment of bottom fishes and Pompano. At Boggy and Cow Pen,
Snappers, Groupers, Grunts, etc.

The above cruise shows plainly the effect cold weather will have
on the fishing. I had warm days at the points named, where I did
well, and cold at all the others. This season, so far, has been an
unusually cold, wet, and windy one, the worst I have ever seen m

Florida.

I ascertained that a new inlet had been cut at New River, which
carries six to seven feet of water, and that the fishing there had im-
proved. I came through the canal to the inlet going through it, and
outside to Bears Cut on Biscay ne Bay.

Before taking leave of my readers I will say that during an angling
experience of sixty-four years I have never had as much pleasure in
any other locality as I have on the East Coast of Florida.

Not many years ago it was the fashion among the Brook Trout,
Black Bass, Salmon, Onananiche, and other fresh water anglers of the
North to look down upon their salt water brothers ; but that feeling
does not now prevail to any great extent, because more and more of
the fraternity have taken to the ocean fishes, and especially so since
the Tarpon has become known as a game fish, and since the Flagler
System of Hotels on the East Coast and the Plant System on the
West Coast have been inaugurated.

The Tarpon, Barracuda, Amber Jack, Kingfish, and Bonefish,
when caught with rod and reel, certainly deserve to rank with the
Salmon and Mascalonge in game qualities ; the Lady-fish and Pompano
are the equals of the Onananiche ; and the Mangrove Snapper,
Spanish Mackerel, and Bluefish far excel the Black Bass, Wall-eyed
Pike and Pickerel in game and edible qualities.

I have fished in nearly all of the States and Territories of the
Union, including the Pacific Coast, and in British America, in many
places, from Victoria on the West to Lake St. John and the Saguenay
River on the east, including the north and south and east and west
shores of the Great Lakes, Georgian Bay, and the St. Lawrence

246 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

River ; in the Adirondacks, Rangely Lakes, as well as in very many
lakes and rivers in the States of New York, Michigan, Wisconsin,
and Minnesota, catching all the game fishes in those localities.

I have also fished in salt water along the Atlantic Coast from
Atlantic City to Old Orchard, Maine, trolling for Bluefish at all of
the most important places north to Nantucket, and still fishing all
along the route ; and still I say, give me the East Coast of Florida
from Ormond to Key West.

I will add, too, that I have fished a little in Scotland, France,
Germany, Austria, and Italy, but none of their waters even deserve
mention as compared to the American and Canadian, salt or fresh.

During the past few years, while on cruises down Indian River
from the Haulover to Jupiter, I have wondered why the residents
along the river have not availed themselves of the State laws to stop
the indiscriminate fishing done there.

I am not writing this from a visiting angler's standpoint, but, I
believe, in the interest of all concerned — the angler, the resident, the
market fisher, and the railroad and express companies who carry the
fish to market.

If the quantities of fish caught can be even temporarily curtailed
by the adoption of the laws in force on the Halifax and Hillsboro
rivers, the fish will, the first season, become more plentiful, and will
last as long as the laws are enforced.

It might be a good plan to adopt the laws for a period of two or
three years, then open season for the same length of time, and again
a close season, and so on indefinitely. This plan of open and close
seasons was several years ago tried in the State of Maine, where they
have the best system of game laws, and the most rigidly enforced, of
any State in the Union, with the sure and natural result, that there is
plenty of game and fish for everybody, and the hunting and fishing
resorts, clubs, and hotels are full of people during the proper seasons.
The law should not apply to Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish, as they
are migratory fishes and are caught mostly outside.

As it is now, on Indian River, Lake Worth, and the canal
between Lake Worth and Biscayne Bay, "the goose that lays the
golden egg" is certainly being killed. I venture to quote here the
saying attributed to a northwestern Indian, which reads: "White
man, heap dam fool, he kill all the deer and catch all the fish, bime
by he got none ; heap clam fool."

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 247

Now, a few words about yachts. If you buy, build, or charter a
boat, desiring to cruise and fish in the inside waters of the East
Coast, anywhere between Ormond and Key West, select the sailboat,
launch, or auxiliary, of the kind, size, or rig you wish, but don' I have
it draw more than two feet. More draught will surely bring you to
grief, and will prevent you from visiting many very desirable places.

In closing, I desire to acknowledge my obligations to Capt. John
Gardner for his invaluable assistance and information in the prepara-
tion of this book ; to Messrs. Julius vom Hofe, Edward vom Hofe,
B. C. Milam & Sons, and the H. H. Kiffe Co., for the loan of their
electrotypes for the illustrations of fishing tackle ; to the Florida
East Coast R'y Co. for the loan of their map of the East Coast,
and hotel and boarding house list ; and to the officials of the United
States Fish Commission, and the United States National Museum, for
their many courtesies, in promptly and kindly sending me books and
information asked for.

It has been intimated to me that because I have used the map
of the East Coast of Florida, and the list of hotels and boarding
houses of the coast issued by the East Coast Railway Company, and
because the Matthews-Northrup Works, who do much work for that
Company, are my printers, that my book may be considered by some
people an advertising medium for the East Coast Railway and East
Coast hotel companies.

I deem the subject of enough importance to explain the situation.

When I first concluded to write and publish my book I called on
the proper official of the Railway Company and requested the
privilege of using the map and hotel list, explaining that I was not
soliciting an advertisement, directly nor indirectly ; that my book
would be my own individual venture, and that I neither needed nor
wanted any advertising matter in the work.

On the above basis the official kindly allowed me the use of
whatever literature of the Company I might want, and I have acknowl-
edged the favor and repeat the acknowledgment here. The net
result of the interview was, that the railway and hotel companies were
not to stand sponsors for my book, and that I was not to stand sponsor
for the conduct of their business, so the reader may not fear he is
being trapped into reading an advertisement after the fashion of some
of the modern newspapers. If the book should, incidentally, be of
any benefit to the companies by leading few, or many, sportsmen to

24<S WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

come to Florida who would not otherwise come, I shall certainly feel
gratified, but do not .want, nor expect, any recompense, directly,
indirectly, nor remotely.

All I desire is the same kind, considerate, and very liberal and
lavish entertainment and treatment which has always been accorded
to the patrons of the companies, including myself.

When Charles Hallock wrote his " Fishing Tourist," in 1873,
he mentioned the routes of travel to reach the localities he described ;
and Doctor Henshall, in his ''Camping and Cruising in Florida,"
1884, did the same, mentioning hotels, boarding houses, routes of
travel, boatmen, guides, other individuals, etc., and nearly all
angling writers have done the same, as all should have done, as the
information is, or may be, very valuable to their readers.

I read the two above mentioned books soon after their publication.
The first one took me to the Adirondacks, Maine, and Canada ; and
the later one, I am very glad to say, brought me to Florida for the
first time. The railways and hotels got some of my money, but I
don't think either Mr. Hallock or the Doctor got any of it, except
what I paid for their books. In fact, I consider myself in debt to
both those gentlemen, as they have given me much pleasure, and
also improvement in health.

At the risk of being charged with repetition after repetition, I
will again say : Do not try to catch fish on the East Coast of Florida,
except the migratory ones — the Bluefish, Kingfish, and Spanish
Mackerel — during the prevalence of a "Norther," or during un-
usual cold weather. If you do not heed this admonition, going
contrary to it, and catch no fish, please do not blame me, nor accuse
me of telling big fish stories.

While examining the Ladyfish and the Bonefish among the illus-
trations in Bulletin 47 I became fully satisfied that the illustrations of
the two fishes were transposed, either by typographical error or other-
wise, so have placed the engraving of " Albula Vulpes " over the
Ladyfish, and the " Elops Saurus" over the Bonefish.

In making this change for insertion in my book I inadvertently
omitted to also change the descriptions in the text, of which fact the
reader will please take notice, and read accordingly.

My angling experience told me at a glance that the illustrations
were misplaced, as I had caught many of each species ; but the ques-

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 249

tion arose as to which was entitled to the scientific name of " Albula
Vulpes," and which to that of " Elops Saurus."

To satisfy my doubts on that subject I have examined the U. S.
Fish Commission reports, and other works, and am satisfied the
"Albula Vulpes" is the well-known Ladyfish, and the "Elops
Saurus " is the less-known "Bonefish " of Biscayne Bay and the Keys,
brought into prominence among the anglers of the East Coast within
the last ten years by Mr. J. B. McFerran of Louisville, Ky., of which
more anon.

My authorities for making the change are as follows :

Jordan & Gilbert, Bulletin 16, 1883, page 258, who classify
" Albula Vulpes " with common name of " Ladyfish es," and, page
261, "Elops Saurus" with common name "Big-eyed Herring."
The former in family "Albulidae," the latter in family "Elopidse."

Bulletin 47, 1896, Jordan & Evermann, pages 409, 410, 411,
"Albula Vulpes," common names, "Lady-fish," "Bone-fish,"
"Macabi," "Sanducha," "Banana-fish." Family "Albulidge."
This is the only Lady-fish described in the Bulletin 47.

Albula or albus, Latin for white, and Vulpes is fox, so the Latin
name of the fish is " White Fox."

Same work, pages 408, 409, 410, has "Elops Saurus," common
names, "Ten-pounder," "John Mariggle," " Boney-fish," "Big-
eyed Herring," " Matajuela Real," "Chiro," "Lisa Francesca."
The fish is classified as of the family "Elopidae," "The Tarpons,"
species " Elops." The common name of Lady-fish is not applied to
this fish in the work.

G. Brown Goode, "American Fishes, 1887," page 410, "Albula
Vulpes." Common names, "Lady-fish," "Bonefish."

U. S. Commission, 1895, Jordan & Evermann. In check list,
page 280, " Albula Vulpes. " Common name, "Lady-fish," etc.

Same work, "Elops Saurus." Common name, "Ten-pounder,"
etc.

U. S. Commission, 1896, "Fishes of Indian River," page 240,
"Elops Saurus." Common names, "Big-Eyed Herring," "Ten-
pounder," "Boney-fish." Page 285, "Elops Saurus." Common
name, ' ' Ten-pounder. ' '

U. S. Commission, 1897, page 91, Hugh M. Smith, "Albula
Vulpes." Common name, "Lady-fish."

250 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Same work, " Elops Saurus." Common names, " Ten-pounder,"
" Big-Eyed Herring."

U. S. Commission, 1899, Evermann & Kendall, page 55,
' ' Albula Vulpes. ' ' Common names, ' ' Ladyfish , " " Bonefish . ' '
Page 54, "Elops Saurus." Only common name, "Ten-pounder."
Classed in the "Elopidas," "The Tarpons."

My excuse for inflicting upon my readers the above long explana-
tion, or discussion, is that the Bonefish of Biscayne Bay and the
Keys has become very prominent as a sportsman's fish, and there has
been, and is now, considerable dispute as to his proper name. The
scientific works are not accessible to all anglers and fishermen, so I
have undertaken to clear up the difficulties as far as possible. There
is no doubt whatever that the fish has borne the name of Bonefish
where he is mostly caught, on the East Coast, for fifteen years or
more.

Mr. J. B. McFerran of Louisville, Ky., who has fished for sport
on the East Coast during the winter seasons for twenty-six years, was
the first sportsman to catch the fish with rod and reel, and is entitled
to all the credit for the discovery, and inauguration of the Bonefish
" industry " among his brother anglers.

I call it an "industry" partly because a man most assuredly has
to be very industrious if he catches the fish.

I requested Mr. McFerran to write out for publication in my book
an account of his early experiences with the fish and he kindly consented
to do so, and his letter will close my last chapter. He kindly refers
to my, possibly, knowing nearly as much about the fish as he does,
in which he gives me too much credit, as he has probably caught
many hundreds, while I have caught a total of only about forty-five
during the past five years. I, however, was fortunate to have as guide
during one week William Brickie, who has been his guide for many
years, and I at once was taught just "where, when, and how" to
hook, handle, and land Mr. Bonefish.

Miami, Fi.a., January 11, 1902.
Mr. W. H. Gregg.

Dear Sir :

In response to your request regarding the Bonefish of
the Florida East Coast, I beg to say that, possibly, I have had as much practical
experience with him as any amateur angler that I know of, saving, possibly, your-
self. I had been coming to Florida ten years at least before I knew there was
such a fish in existence.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 251

While cruising up the coast from Key West to Miami, about ten years since, and
calling at Cocoanut Grove to replenish supplies, in casual conversation with Mr.
Peacock, the proprietor of the store, about fishes in the contiguous waters, he men-
tioned many with which I was familiar, and asked me if I had caught the Bonefish.
I answered, " O, yes, plenty of them." His manner implied a doubt, and he then
said, "I don't mean the Ladyfish, which is often called the Bonefish." " O, well," I
said, "that is what I mean. I never heard of any other." I then became much
interested ; he stepped to the door and pointed to Cocoa Plum Point, about two
miles away, and said, "There at the flooding of the tide, close up to the shore where
the water will oftentimes scarcely cover their backs, you will find them." So, as it
was on our return route, I told my skipper we would take the rowboat and call at
the Point, and he could pick us up as he came down. We rowed to the Point, a
long sand shoal, with the water from six to ten inches deep and everything on the
bottom for an acre around as open to view as the bare ground ashore was. I began
to think he had put up a joke on us, deeming it the most unlikely place to catch a
fish of any I had almost ever seen ; however, I thought that being there it would
be best to try, and so I fished around for a couple of hours with never a sign of
fish, much less of a strike ; but just as I was reeling home my line to leave there
came along about a half dozen of what I thought at first glance to be shadows in
the water, the movements of which, I quickly detected as fish, were so rapid and
entirely unlike anything I had ever seen in the way of fish before, that I immedi-
ately realized that I was in front of a distinctly new proposition in the piscatorial
line. But the skipper and friends were hailing me to the ship and I reluctantly left
the ground, with, however, the mental resolve that, living until another season, I
would interview that distinguished individual at closer quarters.

So the following February found me at Cocoanut Grove, prepared with such
weapons as I supposed would suit the case. I could hear of no one who had
ever caught a Bonefish with rod and line, and the natives said it could not be done,
and that the only way they could be taken was occasionally with the grains, and
sometimes by seeking a school on the banks and wading stooping down, throwing a
hand line some distance in advance of the. school, the hook baited with chonch, and
if they weramot alarmed they would come along and take it; but to go in a boat and
cast with a rod, never, it could not be done.

Well, I set to work under these discouraging prognostications. I removed my
station from Plum Point to Bears Cut, and for three solid weeks I worked and wor-
ried over those fishes. The bottom of the flats was covered with grass and the
feeding ground was very extensive ; I could see them by hundreds almost in every
direction, but no sooner would I get within casting distance and the lead would
strike the water near them, then away they would go like a badly scared flock of
quail ; and not only the small bunch being angled for, but every "mother's son"
would be off like the wind. At last, about wearied out, I had determined to give
it up as a bad job, when I discovered a space of about an acre of bare sand bottom
adjoining a small channel which connected with the main inlet, and beyond that
bare spot, extending a long distance, was a shallow bay, the bottom of which was
covered with a heavy growth of grass. I said to my boatman, " Put me on the far
side of that bare spot, and if we cannot catch one coming up out of that channel
we will give it up and put out for Key West." Well, we laid there very quiet for

252 WHERE, WHEN, AXD HOW TO CATCH FISH

about ten minutes with the line out towards the edge of the little channel, when I
saw eight or ten of the hopefuls poke their noses over the edge of the channel, and
within five minutes I had my fish hooked. Well, I had been angling in many
waters, far and near, salt and fresh, and caught, as I thought, about all the fishes
known in this country, but here was a sensation indeed, a new edition of chain
lightning, and that greased. I caught during the remainder of that day nine fish,
and an old hunter who has trailed his old buck through the forest until foot-sore
and heart-sick, finally bringing him down with a well-directed shot, can alone fully
appreciate my feelings.

Afterwards, studying the fishes and their habits closely, I was able to take them
with little difficulty. Four of us caught in one day sixty-four (of course turning
loose all but the few we could eat). That constitutes the Bonefish record with rod
and reel, and I doubt not will stand as such for many a long year.

The fish is known to comparatively few anglers and the books do not allude to
him at all, or have him confused with the Ladyfish. His habitat is very cir-
cumscribed in this country, being confined mainly within the waters of the East
Coast of Florida from Biscayne Bay to Mattecombe Keys, occasionally a few as
far north as Lake Worth, and as far south as Key West.

We usually, in fact almost invariably, fish for them on extended areas of banks,
where at flood tide the water is from six to fifteen inches deep. Their habit is to
feed up on the top of the banks with the flood, falling back with it into the deep
water. They live solely upon the most delicate of Crustacea, Perriwinkles, Crabs,
Shrimp, etc., and they will not take a stale bait ; I have tried them repeatedly. I
have had a seven-pound fish run 500 feet straight away without a pause, carrying in
addition to the weight of the line an ounce of lead, and they will make repeated
runs, usually never making a flutter after being laid in the boat ; they take all the
chances and fight to a finish everytime ; they are a very stoutly-built fish and every
line is for speed ; their only protection is their watchful timidity and speed. I am
sure that, unhampered, nothing with fins, or scales, can catch them, unless it be a
Porpoise. The genuine angler who has not caught the Bonefish has a sure enough
sensation in prospect, which I envy. If the Bonefish were as large as the Tarpon,
with speed increased with the size, no rod and reel that could be used by hand
could be manufactured that could make him captive. I verily believe that, pound
for pound, the Bonefish is, far and away, the king of all swimmers ; and the only
objection I can urge against him is that an experience with him forever disqualifies
one for all other fishing.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA.

ADDENDA.

253

Illustration.

476

Page.

1118

Robalo ;
Snook ;

Brochet de Mer
Rovalia ;
Sergeant-fish.

CENTROPOMUS UNDECIMALIS."

This fish is called Sergeant-fish and Snook on
the East Coast, and usually Snook and Rovalia on
the West Coast. He is classified in Bulletin 47
among the Robalos, which number fourteen species,
and is not called Sergeant-fish in that work ; but is
called Snook, Sergeant-fish, and Robalo in U. S. Commission, 1899,
by Evermann and Kendall.

There is much dispute among fishermen on both coasts regarding
his correct name. Weight to 15 pounds or more.

He is a very game fish. Caught : Trolling, casting, with or
without sinker, and still fishing. Will take any bait, spoon, or
phantom. Not considered a first-class game fish. Edible, C.

— -d

£

"ALBULA VULPES."

Bulletin 47, illustration 179, page 411.

Common Names : Lady-fish ; Bonefish ; Macabi ; Sanducha ; Banana-fish.

254 WHERE, WHEN, AND //OIF TO CATC/1 FISH

pnqffy

"ELOPS SAURUS."

Bulletin 47, illustration 178, page 410.

Common Names: Ten-pounder ; John-Mariggle ; Bony-fish ; Big-eyed

Herring ; Matajuelo Real ; Chiro ; Lisa Francesa.

October 1, 1902.

MORE ABOUT THE BONEFISH, LADY- FISH, ALBULA
VULPES, AND ELOPS SAURUS SUBJECT.

After an extended examination of the works of the United States
Fish Commission, and other books written from an angling stand-
point, I have come to the conclusion that I was mistaken in thinking,
and saying on pages 248 and 249, that the engraving of the Lady-fish
and the Bonefish of Biscayne Bay and the Keys had been transposed
in printing Bulletin 47; and in saying, "I am satisfied the Albula
Vulpes is the well-known Lady-fish, and the Elops Saurus is the less-
known Bonefish of Biscayne Bay and the Keys," etc.

When I first visited the East Coast of Florida in 1885, and the
West Coast a few years later, I saw and caught a fish at many points
which was called by the market fishermen, the residents, and the
home and visiting anglers, the Lady- fish, Bonefish, and Skipjack.

How or why the fish was called by the names I do not know, but
the two latter can hardly be called misnomers, because they are very
appropriate and characteristic names for the fish, as he certainly does
skip and jump more than any fish I know except the Ouananische, and
is not excelled by him in game qualities, and is certainly very bony.

Jordan & Gilbert of theU. S. Fish Commission, in 1883, produced
Bulletin IB of the U. S. National Museum, in which they classify
the above fish in "Family Elopidse (the Big-eyed Herrings)," under

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 255

species, "Elops Saurus." Common name: "Big-eyed Herring,"
and not calling it the Lady-fish.

Jordan & Evermann of the same commission, in 1896, produced
Bulletin 47 of the U. S. National Museum, in which they classify
the fish in "Family Elopidas (the Tarpons)," under species,
"Elops Saurus." Common names: Ten-pounder, John-Mariggle,
Bony-fish, Big-eyed Herring, Matajuelo Real, Chiro, Lisa Francesa.
The illustration is of the Lady-fish as known in Florida, but it is not
called the Lady-fish anywhere in the book.

Jordan & Gilbert, in Bulletin 16, have "Family Albulidae (the
Lady-fish)," Species: " Albula Vulpes ; common name, Lady fish,
Bonefish. ' '

Jordan & Evermann, in Bulletin 47, have " Family Albulidae (the
Lady-fishes)," the illustration being the Bonefish of Biscayne Bay and
the Keys. Common names : Lady-fish, Bonefish, Macabi, Sanducha,
Banana-fish.

These citations show plainly the source of the confusion which has
existed regarding the correct scientific and common names of these
two fishes. The people of Florida and the sportsmen, who have paid
any attention to the subject, thought their Lady-fish was the true
Lady-fish, so when the scientific men mentioned a fish of that name
they took it to be the one they had known by the same name. I
naturally fell into the same error, taking, so to speak, the Lady-fish I
had seen and caught as my basis or "premise" in the discussion.
The scientific people have been right all the time, and others differing
with them, myself included, have been in error all the time.

As I desire to exhaust the subject as well as I possibly can, and in
the interest of my readers who desire to read the authorities I have
consulted, I give below quotations in full of such authorities, and place
above, my caption to this article the illustration (reproduced from
Bulletin 47) of the " Albula Vulpes, " the Lady-fish and Bonefish of the
text books, and the Bonefish of Biscayne Bay and the Keys ; as also
of the "Elops Saurus," Ten-pounder, Big-eyed Herring, Bony-fish,
etc., of the text books; and the Lady-fish, Bonefish, and Skipjack of
the sportsmen and market fishermen of Florida.

256 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

GUNTHER'S STUDY OF FISHES, 1880.

Classified in the Herring Family.
Page 660. No Illustration. No Common Name.

"Albula. — Body oblong, moderately compressed ; abdomen flat.
Scales of moderate size, adherent ; lateral line distinct. Eyes covered
with a broad annular adipose membrane. Snout pointed, the upper
jaw projecting beyond the lower. Mouth inferior, of moderate width,
with villiform teeth ; intermaxillary juxtaposed to the upper anterior
edge of the maxillary. Dorsal fin opposite to the ventrals ; and fin
shorter than dorsal. Gill membranes entirely separate, with numerous
branchiostegals.

"One species only, A. conorhynchus, ranging over all tropical and
subtropical seas, and very common in many localities near the coasts.
It grows to a length of from two to three feet, and is not valued as
food."

Classified in the Herring Family.

Same work, page 661. No Common Name. Illustration of the Lady-fish of Florida.

"Elops. — Body rather elongate, moderately compressed; abdo-
men flat. Scales small, adherant; lateral line distinct. A narrow
osseous lamella, attached to the mandibulary symphysis, covers the
part between the mandibles. Snout pointed ; mouth wide, anterior ;
intermaxillary short, maxillary forming the lateral part of the mouth.
Bands of villiform teeth in the jaws, on the vomer, palatine and
pterygoid bones, on the tongue, and on the base of the skull. Dorsal
fin opposite to ventrals; anal rather shorter than dorsal. Gill mem-
branes entirely separate, with very numerous branchiostegals.

"Two species, of which one, E. saurus, is like the preceding
fish, spread over all tropical and subtropical seas ; it exceeds a length
of three feet, and is not esteemed as food."

Jordan & Gilbert's Bulletin 1G. United States National Museum,
1883.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 257

"Family XXXIV— ALBULID^E."

"(The Lady-fishes.)"
Page 258. No Illustrations.

"Body rather elongate, little compressed, covered with rather
small, brilliantly silvery scales. Head naked. Snout conic, sub-
quadrangular, shaped like the snout of a pig, and overlapping the
small, inferior, horizontal mouth. Maxillary rather strong, short,
with a distinct supplemental bone, slipping under the membranous
edge of the very broad preorbital. Premaxillaries short, not pro-
tractile. Lateral margin of upper jaw formed by the maxillaries. Eye
large, medium in head, with a bony ridge above it, and almost covered
by an annular adipose eyelid. Opercle moderate, firm. Preopercle
with a broad, fiat membranaceous edge, which extends backward over
the base of the opercle. Pseudobranchiae present. Gill rakers short,
tubercle-like. Gill membranes entirely separate, free from isthmus.
Branchiostegals about 14. A fold of skin across gill membranes
anteriorly, its posterior free edge crenate. No gular plate. Both
jaws, vomer and palatines with bands of villiform teeth. Broad
patches of coarse, blunt, paved teeth on the tongue behind and on the
sphenoid and pterygoid bones. Lateral line present. Belly not
carinate, flattish, covered with ordinary scales. Dorsal fin moderate,
in front of ventrals, its membranes scaly. No adipose fin. Anal
very small. Caudal widely forked. Pyloric coeca numerous. A
single species known, found in all warm seas."

( ClupeidcE group, Allntlina. Gunther, VII, 468, 469. )

" n6— ALBULA Gronovius."

Same work, page 258.

("Gronovius; Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 432:
type, Albula conorhynchas. Bloch & Schneider — Esox vulpes, L.")

" Characters of the genus included above. (Latin albus, white. )

"431. A. vulpes (L.). Goode. — Lady-fish; Bonefish.

' ' Brilliantly silvery ; olivaceous above ; back and sides with faint
streaks along the rows of scales ; fins plain ; axiles dusky. Upper
lobe of caudal the longer. A band of peculiar, elongate, membra-
naceous scales along middle line of back ; accessory ventral scale
large. Head, 3^; depth, 4. D. 15; A. 8; scales, 9-71-7; L. 18
inches. Cape Cod to Southern California and East Indies ;

258 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

abundant in tropical seas. Not much valued as food, but beautiful
and gamy.

"(Esox vulpes, L. Syst. Nat.: Albula conorhynchus. Gunther,
VII, 468.)"

"Family XXXVI. — ELOPID^."

"(The Big-eyed Herrings.)"
Same work, page 260. No Illustration.

"Body elongate, not much compressed, covered with cycloid
scales. Head naked. Mouth broad, terminal, the lower jaw promi-
nent. Premaxillaries not protactile, short, the maxillaries forming
the lateral margins of the upper jaw. Maxillary composed of about
three pieces, extending backward beyond the eye. An elongate bony
plate between the branches of the lower jaw (like the gula plate in
Amid). Bands of villiform teeth in both jaws and on vomer, pala-
tines, pterygoids, tongue, and base of skull. No large teeth. Eye
large, with an adipose eyelid. Gill membranes entirely separate,
free from the isthmus. Branchiostegals numerous (20-35). Gill
rakers long and slender. Pseudobranchiae present or absent. Belly
not keeled nor serrated, covered with ordinary scales. Lateral line
present. Dorsal fin over or rather behind ventrals. Caudal fin
forked. No adipose fin. Pyloric coeca numerous. Two genera,
not much alike, with 4 or 5 species, widely distributed, sometimes
entering fresh waters.

" (Clupeidce group, Elopina. Gunther, VII, 469-472.)

"Body elongate, covered with small scales; anal fin smaller than
d o rsal . ( Elopince . )

"a. Pseudobranchiae present, Elops, 118.

"Body oblong, covered with long scales; anal fin larger than
dorsal. (Megalopince. )

(t b. Pseudobranchias obsolete, . . . Megalops, 119."

"118. ELOPS, Linnaeus."

"(Big-eyed Herrings.)"
Same work, page 261.

" (Linnaeus, Syst. Nat.: type, Elops saurus, L.) "
"Body elongate, covered with thin, small, silvery scales. Dorsal
fin slightly behind ventrals, its last rays short, the fin depressible into

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 259

a sheath of scales ; anal fin smaller, similarly depressible. Pectorals
and ventrals moderate, each with a long accessory scale. Opercular
bones thin, with expanded, membranaceous borders ; a scaly occipital
sheath or collar. Lateral line straight, its tubes simple. Pseudo-
branchiae present, large. Species 2 or more, widely distributed,
remarkable for the development of scaly sheaths. (Z\o\j/, name of
some sea fish — a sword-fish or sturgeon ; from eAaw, to drive or
move.)"

"435. E. saurus L."
"(Big-eyed Herrings.)"
Same work, page 261.

''Uniform silvery, darker above. Gular plate 3-4 times as broad
as long. Head, 4j^ ; depth, 5-6. Eye large, 4-5 in head. D. 20 ;
A. 13; V. 15; B. 30; scales, 12-120-13. L. 24 inches. Cape
Cod to Cape of Good Hope and China. A handsome fish, not rare
on our Atlantic coast.

"(Linn. Syst.; Gunther, VII, 470.)"

JORDAN & EVERMANN BULLETIN 47. U. S. NATIONAL
MUSEUM, 1896.

"Family LVI. Elopidae."

"(The Tarpons.) "

"198. ELOPS, Linnaeus."

Page 409.

"Elops, Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. XII, 518, 1766, (Saurus).
Magilomorus, Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 398, 1803, (anna-
carolina).

. " Trichonotus, Rafinesque, Analyse de la Nature, 1815, 88, (anna-
carolina) ; substitute for Mugilomorus, considered objectionable."

" Body elongate, covered with thin, small, silvery scales. Dorsal
fin slightly behind ventrals, its last rays short, the fin depressible into a
sheath of scales ; anal fin smaller, similarly depressible ; pectorals and
ventrals moderate, each with a long accessory scale. Opercular bones
thin, with expanded, membranaceous borders; a scaly occipital
collar. Lateral line straight, its tubes simple. Pseudobranchue

260 WHERE, WHEN, AXD HOW TO CATCH FISH

present, large. Vertebra 43 + 29-72. Large fishes of the open
seas, remarkable for the development of scaly sheaths. The young
are ribbon-shaped and elongate, passing through a series of changes
like those seen in Albula. {l\o\\i, name of some sea fish — a swordfish
or sturgeon ; from tAaw, to drive or move.)"

"671. ELOPS SAURUS. Linnaeus."

Same work, page 410.

(Ten-pounder ; John-Mariggle ; Bony-fish ; Big-eyed Herring ;
Matajuelo Real; Chiro ; Lisa Francesa.)
The illustration is of the Lady-fish of Florida.

" Head, 4^ ; depth, 5 to 6 ; eye large, 4 to 5. D. 20 ; A. 13 ;
V. 15 ; B. 30 ; scales, 12-120-13. Gular plate 3 to 4 times as long
as broad. Length, 3 feet. Tropical seas ; abundant and very widely
distributed. Common in America, north to Carolina and the Gulf
of California ; straying on the Atlantic coast to Long Island.
(Saunis, aavpos, lizard. )

Elops saurus. Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. XII, 518, 1766, Carolina.
Gunther, Cat. VII, 470, 1868 ; Jordan & Gilbert, Synopsis 261,
1883, and of most authors.

"Argentina Carolina. Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. XII, 519, 1766,
Carolina.

11 Argentina machnata. Forskal, Descr. Anim., 68, 1775, Djidda,
Arabia.

" Mugilomorus anna-carolina. Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V,
398, 1803, South Carolina.

"Elops inermis. Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. N. Y., I,
1815, 445, New York.

11 Elops capensis. Smith, Zool. S. Africa, 1845, pi. 7, Cape of
Good Hope.

" Elops purpurascens. Richardson, Ichth. China, 311, 1846,
China."

"Family LVII. Albulidae."
Same work, page 410. "(The Lady-fishes.)"

"Body rather elongate, little compressed, covered with rather
small brilliantly silvery scales ; head naked. Snout conic, subquad-
rangular, shaped like the snout of a pig, and overlapping the small,
inferior, horizontal mouth. Maxillary rather strong, short, with a
distinct supplemental bone, slipping under the membranous edge of

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 261

the very broad preorbital ; premaxillaries short, not protractile,
Lateral margin of upper jaw formed by the maxillaries ; both jaws,
vomer, and palatines with bands of villiform teeth ; broad patches of
coarse, blunt, paved teeth on the tongue behind and on the sphenoid
and pterygoid bones. Eye large, median in head, with a bony ridge
above it, and almost covered with an annular adipose eyelid. Oper-
cle moderate, firm ; preopercle with a broad, flat, membranaceous
edge, which extends backward over the base of the opercle. Pseudo-
branchiae present. Gill rakers short, tubercle-like. Gill membranes
entirely separate, free from the isthmus, branchiostegals about 14 ; a
fold of skin across gill membranes anteriorly, its posterior free
edge crenate ; no gular plate. Lateral line present. Belly not cari-
nate, fiattish, covered with ordinary scales. Dorsal fin moderate, in
front of ventrals, its membrane scaly ; no adipose fin ; anal very
small ; caudal widely forked. Pyloric coeca numerous. Parietal
bones meeting along top of head. Vertebrae numerous, 42-28-70.
A single species known, found in all warm seas. In this, and proba-
bly in related families, the young pass through a metamorphosis
analogous to that seen in the Conger Eels. They are for a time elon-
gate, band-shaped, with very small head and loose transparent tis-
sues. From this condition they become gradually shorter and more
compact, shrinking from 3 to 3^ inches in length to 2 inches.
According to Dr. Gilbert, this process, like that seen in various eels,
is a normal one, through which all individuals pass. In the Gulf of
California, where these fishes abound, these band-shaped young are
often thrown by the waves on the beach in great masses.

" {Culpeidce, group Albulina. Gunther, Cat. VII, 468, 469,
1868.)"

" 199. ALBULA (Gronow). Bloch & Schneider."

"(Lady-fishes.)"
Same work, page 411.

" Conorhyncus. Nozeman, Act. Select., Ill, 382, 1757 (nonbi-
nomial).

" Albula. Gronow, Zoophyl., 102, 763 (nonbinomial).

"A/fat/a. Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Icth., 432, 1801 (conorhyn-
cus-vulpes).

il Bitty rinas. Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss. , V, 45, 1803 (banana-
vulpes).

262 WHERE, WHEN, AXD HOW TO CATCH FISH

" Glossodus. Cuvier, in Agassiz, Spix, Pise. Bras., 48, 1829
{forskala-vulpes) .

" Characters of the genus included above. (Latin albus, white.)"

"672. ALBULA VULPES. (Linnaeus.)"

"(Lady-fish; Bone-fish ; Macabi ; Sanducha ; Banana-fish.)"
The illustration is of the Bone-fish of Biscayne Bay and the Keys.
Same work, pages 411, 412.

"Head, 3->< ; depth, 4. D. 15 ; A. 8 ; scales, 9-71-7. Upper
lobe of caudal the longer. A broad band of peculiar, elongate, membra-
naceous scales along middle line of back ; accessory ventral scale large.
Brilliantly silvery ; olivaceous above ; back and sides with faint streaks
along the rows of scales ; fins plain ; axils dusky. Length, 18 inches
to 3 feet. Tropical seas, on sandy coasts, almost universally distributed
and generally abundant, ranging northward on our coasts to San Diego
and Long Island. A beautiful and active fish, in most places little
valued as food ; but in some regions, as Key West, highly appreciated. ' '
( Vulpes, fox. )

" Unbarana. Marograve, Hist. Bras, 1648, Brazil.

" Vulpes bahamensis (the Bone-fish). Catesby, Nat. Hist.

" Carolinas, etc., pi. 11, fig. I, 1737, Bahamas.

" Esox vulpes. Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 313, Bahamas ;
based on the Bone-fish, Vulpes baliamensis, of Catesby.

" Argentina glossodonta. Forskal, Descr. Anim., 68, 1775,
Djidda, Arabia.

"Macabi. Parra, Dif. PiezasCuba, 88, pi. 35, fig. I, 1787, Cuba;
based on Unbarana of Marcgrave.

" Sy nodus argenteus. Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Icth., 398, 1801,
Asia.

" Clupea brasiliensis. Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Icth, 427, 1801,
Brazil.

" Albula conorynchus. Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Icth., 432,
1801, Antilles; after Gronow and Plumier ; called Albula plumieri on
plate 86.

" Amia immaculata. Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Icth., 451, 1801,
Central America ; after Macabi of Parra.

Butyrinus banana. Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 46, 1803,
Isle de France.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 263

" Clupea macrocephala. Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V. 426,
1803, Martinique ; on a drawing by Plumier.

" Glossodus forskali. Agassiz, Spix. Pise. Bras. 49, 1829, Bahia ;
called Engraulis sericus and Engraulis bahiensis on the plates 22
and 24.

" Albula parroe. Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIX,
339, 1846, Martinique ; Bahia ; Rio de Janeiro.

" Albula goreensis. Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss.,
XIX, 342, 1846, Gorea.

" Albula neoguinaica. Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1. c, XIX, 350,
1846, New Guinea.

" Albula seminuda. Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1. c, XIX, 351,
1846, New Guinea.

"Albula erythrocheilos. Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1. c, XIX,
352, pi. 540, 1846, Friendly Islands.

"Albula forsteri. Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1. c, XIX, 354,
1846, Tahiti.

"Albula rostrata. Gronow, Cat. Fishes, 189, 1854, American
Ocean, etc.

"Albula conorhynchus. Gunther, Cat. VII, 468, 1868.

"Albula vulpes. Jordan & Gilbert, Synopsis 258, 1883.

G. BROWN GOODE; AMERICAN FISHES. 1887.

Page 410. No Illustrations.

Under heading of the Herring and its allies, Mr. Goode says :
"The Lady-fish, Albula vulpes, occurs in the West Indies, in the
Gulf of Mexico, on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North and South
America, and sparingly along our Atlantic shores as far north as Cape
Cod. It is also found about the Bermudas and Cape Verde Islands,
in the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and on the coast of Japan. With
us it is usually called the ' Lady-fish ' ; in the Bermudas the 'Bone-
fish,' or ' Grubber.'

"At the Bermudas large schools are taken, and it is there con-
sidered a most excellent food fish. From personal observation I can
testify that its reputation is by no means a false one.

" Henshall found it in the Indian River inlet, and gives it a fine
character as a game-fish. Describing winter angling experiences, he
writes : ' In the course of an hour, and in quick succession, I took

264 WHERE, WHEN, AXD HO IV TO CATCH FISH

several more salt-water trout, a few red fishes or channel bass, some
ravallia or snooks of from three to ten pounds, some crevalle of three
or four, and, finally, a Bone-fish of about three pounds, which gave
more real sport than any of the others. The Bone-fish or Lady-fish,
as it is sometimes called, is a slender, silvery fish, and fights in the
water and in the air like the black bass, but mostly in the air — Sil-
ver Shuttle.'

" The species is found in some numbers in San Diego Bay, on the
coast of California, where it is taken with the mullet. On account of
its beautiful color, it sells readily, but is not especially esteemed as
a tables fish."

NOTE BY GREGG.
Goode and Henshall here must refer to the Lady-fish of the Florida fishermen.
Henshall says it is a " slender fish," which the Bone-fish of Biscayne Bay is not.
Only one or two "stragglers" of the latter have been taken at Indian River Inlet,
and they do not " fight in the air," but keep under water. They had not been taken
with rod and reel when Hensall wrote above, and they do not range to Cape Cod,
except as occasional stragglers.

U. S. FISH COMMISSION REPORT OF 1895.

Jordan & Evermann's Check List of Fishes of North and Middle
America.

" Genus 199. Elops Linnaeus."
Page 279. No illustration.

" Elops. Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. XII, 518, 1766 (sai/rus).

"687. Elops saunis, Linnaeus. Ten-pounder; John-Mariggle ;
Bony-fish ; Bone-fish ; Big-eyed Herring ; Matajuelo Real ; Lina
Francesa. Tropical seas ; common north to the Gulf of California
and to Long Island on the Atlantic Coast.

" Elops saurus. Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. XII, 518, 1766, Car-
olina."

"Family LVII. Albulidse."
"(The Lady-fishes.)"
Same work, page 280. No illustration.

"Genus 200. Albula (Gronow). Bloch & Schneider. Albula
Gronow, Zoophyl., 162, 1763 (nonbinomial)."

"688. Albula vulpes (Linnaeus). Lady-fish; Bone-fish; Ma-
cabi ; Banana-fish.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 265

" Tropical seas, ranging northward to San Diego and Long Island.
Esox vulpes. Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 313, 1758, Bahamas, etc.;
based on the bone-fish, Vulpes bahamensis, of Catesby."

W. F. McCormick's List of fishes in Biscayne Bay.
Same work, page 175. No illustration.

" Bone-fish (Albula vulpes)."

U. S. FISH COMMISSION REPORT OF 1896.

"Annotated List of the Fishes known from Indian River."
Page 240. No illustration.

" Elops saurus, Linnaeus. Big-eyed Herring, Ten-pounder,
'Bony-fish.' Observed at Fort Pierce and at mouth of St. Lucie
River. Known to some of the fishermen as 'Lady-fish.' Fre-
quently taken in the seines. Examples from Fort Pierce preserved."
Albula vulpes not in the list.

"Fisheries of the Coastal Waters of Florida, by John J. Brice."
Same work, page 285. No illustration.

" There are many other species of fishes found at Key West which
are used to a greater or less extent as food. Among them are the
bonefish {Albula vulpes), ten-pounder (Elops saurus)."

U. S. FISH COMMISSION BULLETIN, 1897.

Page 90. No Illustration.

Annotated List of Fishes known to inhabit the Woods Hole Region,
by Hugh M. Smith.

"32. Elops Saurus, Linnaeus."
"(Ten-pounder ; Big-eyed Herring.)"
"Common in fall, none appearing before October. Taken in
traps in Vineyard Sound and in Herring gill nets at Vineyard Haven.
Many have been sent to the Fish Commission by fishermen for identi-
fication. Average length 18 to 20 inches. No young fish observed. ' '

266 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

Same work, page 91. No Illustration.

SAME LIST BY HUGH M. SMITH.

" Albula vulpes (Linnaeus)."
"(Lady-fish; Bonefish.)"
"Very rare. Reported by Professor Baird in 1871, and since
observed only once or twice. None seen for many years."

U. S. FISH COMMISSION REPORT, 1899.

Page 54. No Illustration.

" Check List of the Fishes of Florida, Evermann & Kendall."

" 84. Elops Saurus (Linnaeus)."

"(Ten-pounder.)"

Cape Cod to Florida (Holbrook, 1860); St. Johns River (Bean,
1880); Pensacola (Jordan & Gilbert, 1882; and Bean, 1883); Key
West (Jordan, 1884a); Florida Keys (Jordan, 1884d); Tampa Bay to
Punta Rassa, and Little Sarasota Bay (Wilcox, 1886); Marco
(Henshall, 1889), Key West and Tampa (Henshall, 1894); and St.
Johns River at Welaka (Kendall Coll., 1897)."

"85. Albula Vulpes (Linnaeus)."

"(Lady-fish ; Bone-fish.)"
Same work, page 55. No Illustration.

"Pensacola (Stearns Coll., Bean, 1883); Key West (Jordan,
1884a; and Jordan & Evermann, 1896); Florida Keys (Jordan,
1884d); Garden Key (Grampus Coll., Kendall, 1889); Key West,
Pavilion Key, and San Carlos Pass (Henshall, 1889); New Smyrna
(Lonnberg, 1894); Key West and Tampa (Henshall, 1894); and
Biscay ne Bay (McCormick Coll., Smith, 1895.)"

FISHERIES OF PORTO RICO. U. S. FISH COMMISSION, 1900.

B. W. EVERMANN.
Page 81.

The. illustration is of the Lady-fish or Bone-fish of the Florida
fisherman and sportsman.

"GENUS 20. Elops, Linnaeus."
" Body elongate, covered with thin, small, silvery scales. Dorsal
fin slightly behind ventrals, its last rays short, the fin depressible ;

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 267

into a sheath of scales ; anal fin smaller, similarly depressible ;
pectorals and ventrals moderate, each with a long accessory scale.
Opercular bones thin, with expanded membranaceous borders ; scaly
occipital collar. Lateral line straight, its tubes simple. Pseudo-
branchiae present, large. Vertebrae, 43-29-72.

" Large fishes of the open seas, remarkable for the development
of scaly sheaths. The young are ribbon-shaped and elongate, passing
through a series of changes like those seen in All>ula."

"25. Elops saurus, Linnaeus."

"'Piojo'; Matajuelo Real; Chiro ; Lisa Francesa ; Ten-pounder ;
John-Mariggle ; Bony-fish ; Big-eyed Herring."

" Head, 4.3 ; depth, 5 to 6 ; eye, 5 ; snout, 4.3 ; maxillary, 1.6 ;
mandible, 1.5; interorbital, 5.6; D. 20; A. 13; pectoral, 1.8;
ventral, 2; caudal, 0.8; scales, 13-110-12. Body very elongate,
moderately ccmpressed, scales small and thin, none on head ; head
small, pointed ; mouth very large, the extremely long maxillary reach-
ing far beyond eye, which has a well-developed adipose eyelid,
sheathing the eye anteriorly and posteriorly ; rather blunt, villiform
teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines and along lower edge of maxil-
lary ; jaws subequal ; a pointed gular plate ; dorsal and anal fins with
well -developed basal sheaths of scales, that of dorsal large ; ventral
with a very large and pointed scale ; caudal lobes long and slender.
Blue above, the sides silvery.

"This species is abundant and widely distributed in the tropical
seas. It is common in America north to the Carolinas and the Gulf of
California. Probably not uncommon about Porto Rico, though seen by
us only at Arecibo, where a species 15 inches long was obtained."

" Elops saurus. Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. ed. XII, 518, 1766, Carolina ;
Jordan & Evermann, I. C, 410, 1896.

"Argentina Carolina. Linnaeus, Syst. Gat. ed. XII, 519, 1766,
Carolina.

"Argentina machnata. Forskal, Deser. Anim., 68, 1775, Djidda,
Arabia.

" Mugilomorus anna-carolina. Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V,
398, 1803, South Carolina.

"Elops incermis. Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. N. Y., I,
1815, 445, New York.

268 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

" Elops capensis. Smith, Zool. South Africa, 1845, pi. 7, Cape
of Good Hope.

"Elops perpurascens. Richardson, Icth., China, 311, 1840,

China."

"Family XVI. ALBULID^E."

"(The Lady-fishes.)"
Pages 81-83.

The illustration is of Bone- fish of Biscayne Bay and the Keys.

" Body rather elongate, little compressed, covered with rather
small, brilliantly silvery scales ; head naked. Snout conic, subquad-
rangular, shaped like the snout of a pig, and overlapping the small,
inferior, horizontal mouth. Maxillary rather strong, short, with a
distinct supplemental bone, slipping under the membranaceous edge
of the very broad preorbital ; premaxillaries short, not protractile.
Lateral margin of upper jaw formed by maxillaries ; both jaws, vomer,
and palatines with bands of villiform teeth ; broad patches of coarse,
blunt, paved teeth on the tongue behind and on the sphenoid and
pterygoid bones. Eye large, medium in head, with a bony ridge
over it, and almost covered with an annular adipose eyelid. Opercle
moderate, firm ; preopercle with a broad, flat, membranaceous edge,
which extends backward over the base of opercle. Pseudobranchia;
present. Gill rakers short, tubercle-like. Gill membranes entirely
separate, free from isthmus ; branchiostegals about 14 ; a fold of skin
across gill membranes anteriorly, its posterior free edge cretiate ; no
gular plate. Lateral line present. Belly not carinate, flattish, cov-
ered with ordinary scales. Dorsal fin moderate, in front of ventrals,
its membranes scaly; no adipose fin; and very small caudal widely
forked. Pyloric coeca numerous. Parietal bones meeting along top
of head. Vertebrae numerous, 42-28-70.

" A single species known, found in all warm seas. In this, and
probably in related families, the young pass through a metamorphosis
analogous to that seen in the Conger Eels. They are for a time elon-
gate, band-shaped, with very small head and loose, transparent tis-
sues. From this condition they become gradually shorter, shrinking
from 3 to 3}4 inches in length to 2 inches. According to Dr. Gil-
bert, this process, like that seen in various eels, is a normal one,
through which all individuals pass. In the Gulf of California, where
these fishes abound, these band-shaped young are often thrown by the
waves on the beach in great masses."

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 269

"Genus 21. ALBULA (Gronow). Bloch & Schneider."
"The characters of this genus are included above with those of
the family."

"26. Albula vulpes (Linnaeus)."
"Macabi"; "Piojo"; Lady-fish ; Bone-fish ; Banana-fish.
"Head, 3.4; depth, 4.5; eye, 7; snout, 2.2; maxillary, 3
interorbital, 3.8; preorbital, 5.6; D. 15; A. 8; pectoral, 1.9
ventral, 2.4; caudal, 1.1; scales, 9-70-6. Body elongate, robust
the trunk covered with long shining scales with membranous edges
head large, naked, subconic ; the snout pig-like, overhanging the
inferior mouth, which is armed with villiform teeth ; eye high in
position, midway between tip of snout and edge of opercle, entirely
covered, save for a circular central opening smaller than pupil, with
an adipose eyelid ; vertical fins scaled, the dorsal and anal very
densely ; caudal widely forked, upper lobe the longer ; median line
of back with one series of modified scales, which are smaller and
narrower than those of body and have a long membranous appendage
much narrower than the scale, this appendage alone exposed. Color
bright-silvery, darker above ; faint longitudinal dark or bluish streaks.
A metamorphosis (as in Elops~) takes place in the young, previous to
which they do not resemble the adult.

"Tropical seas, on sandy coasts, almost universally distributed
and generally abundant, ranging northward on our coasts to San
Diego and Massachusetts. Three examples in the collection, one 19
inches long, the others about 12 inches, from San Juan market and
Culebra Island. Used as food to some extent, but not highly
esteemed. ' '

" Umbarana. Maregrave, Hist. Bras., 1648, Brazil.

" Vulpes bahamanesis (the bone-fish). Catesby, Nat. Hist. Caro-
linas, pi. 11, fig. 1, 1737, Bahamas.

" Esox vulpes. Linnasus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 1758, 313, Bahamas ;
after Catesby.

"Argentina glossodontct. Forskal, Descr. Anim., 68, 1775,
Djidda, Arabia.

" Macabi. Parra, Dif. Piezas, Cuba, 88, pi. 35, fig. 1, 1787,
Cuba ; on Umbarana of Maregrave.

" Synodus argenteus. Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Icth., 398, 1801,
Asia.

270 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

" Clupea brasiliensis. Block & Schneider, Syst. Icth., 427, 1801.
Brazil.

" Albula conorhynchus . Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Icth., 432,
1801, Antilles; after Gronow and Plumier, Poey, Fauna Puerto
Riquena, .342, 1881 j Stahl, I, c, 80 and 165, 1883.

" Amia immaculata. Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Icth., 451, 1801,
Central America ; after Parra.

" Butyrinus banana. Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 46, 1803,
Isle de France.

" Clupea macrocephala. Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 426,
1803, Martinique ; on a drawing by Plumier.

" Glossodus forskali. Agassiz, Spix. Pise. Bras., 49, 1829, Bahia ;
called Engraulis sericus and Engraulis bahiensis on the plates 22
and 24.

" Albula parrce. Cuvier & Valencienness, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIX,
339, 1846, Martinique, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro.

" Albula goreetisis. Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss.,
XIX, 342, 1846, Gorea.

"Albula ncoguinaica. Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1. c, XIX, 350,
1846, New Guinea.

"Albula seminuda. Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1. c, XIX, 351,
1846, New Guinea.

"Albula erythrocheilos. Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1. c, XIX, 352,
pi. 540, 1846, Friendly Islands.

"Albula forsteri. Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1. c, XIX, 354,
1846, Tahiti.

"Albula rostrata. Gronow, Cat. Fishes, 189, 1854, American
Ocean, etc.

"Albula vulpes. Jordan & Evermann, 1. c, 411, 1896."

THE FISHES OF NORTH AMERICA. WILLIAM
C. HARRIS, 1898.

Volume 1. Pages 91, 92, 93.

"THE BONEFISH OR LADYFISH."
"An earnest discussion has recently taken place among anglers as
to the proper classification of the so-called bonefish or ladyfish, par-
ticularly the one taken, most frequently, in Biscayne Bay, Florida.

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 271

This perplexity is caused, in part, by the existence and general use
of the same common or popular name for two widely differentiated
fish. I have passed many winters in Florida, and have, doubtless,
caught more than a thousand of the so-called ' ladyfish or bonefish,'
and in 1895, my companion, Mr. J. L. Petrie, the artist, painted a
portrait of one, in oils, before its life colors had faded, on examina-
tion of which it was plain to see that it was not the true bonefish,
Albala vulpes, although so called on both coasts of Florida. It was
a full brother of the tarpon — a big-eyed herring, Elops saurus, a
fish that has many of the physical markings of the silver king, and
some of its game qualities when restrained by the rod. That the
angler may, on sight, distingush one from the other, illustrations of
both are given. Upon examination of a captured fish, it will be
seen that the true bonefish, A. vulpes, has fifteen rays in the dorsal
fin and eight in the anal, and the ladyfish, or more properly the big-
eyed herring, E. saurus, has twenty rays in the dorsal and thirteen in
the anal fin. The first-named fish is much stouter in build, has large
scales and is brilliantly silvery in color, shading into olive on the
back, with faint streaks along the rows of scales. The big-eyed her-
ring has much smaller scales, is also of a bright silvery coloration,
but in lieu of the olivaceous shading above the lateral line and on the
back, which occurs in the true bonefish, there is a distinct, but soft,
bluish coloration extending from the shoulder to the fleshy part of
the tail.

"It is difficult to ascertain from the articles appearing from time
time in the sportsman's journals, on the capture of the ladyfish or
bonefish, which of these two fishes the writers are describing, but in
most instances they doubtless refer to the big-eyed herring, as the
frantic leaps of the fish are described in glowing terms. The Hon.
Matthew S. Quay wrote me in 1882: 'The bonyfish — I took two
of them, two feet in length, each, on a spinner at Jupiter and one at
Punta Rassa. They resemble the herring, except they are narrower
in proportion to their length. When hooked, they are as frantic in
their leaps as the tarpon.'

"These fish were certainly the big-eyed herring, E. saurus. The
true bonefish does not leap from the water when under the restraint
of the line.

"The bonefish or ladyfish, Albula vulpes — generic name from
the Latin, 'white'; the specific, also Latin, meaning 'fox' — is

272 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

classed in the order Isospondyli — from two Greek words signifying
'equal,' 'vertebra.' In this order we find many other fishes that
are taken on hook and line — the salmons, trouts, graylings, moon-
eyes, tarpons, herrings, shad, smelt, whitefishes (cisco), pike,
pickerel and mascalonge. The fishes of this order are characterized
by the soft rays in their fins ; presence of a flat bone on the upper
side of the head ; an arch of bone in front of the shoulder ; absence
of bones in the ear formation, and the bones in the mouth and in
front of the sesophagus are not shaped like a scythe, as in the fishes
previously described.

"The true bonefish (Albi/la vulpes) is the only representative of
the family Albulida. Its range is stated in the text-books to be from
Cape Cod southward to the warm seas, but it has occurred to me that
the confusion arising from a similarity of popular names, alluded to
above, might possibly have led to error as to range of habitat of this
fish. I have examined a specimen of the big-eyed herring, wrongly
called ladyfish, that was caught on a hook in the waters of Princes
Bay, Staten Island, but in my familiar personal and editorial inter-
course, extending over a quarter of a century, with the salt-water
fishermen of New York City, ten thousand of whom go a-fishing every
week of the season, I have never heard of A. vulpes being taken by
any of these rodsters. But negative proof is no proof at all, even
when reinforced by the fact that no angling record exists of the true
bonefish being caught on the hook in any waters north of Biscayne
Bay, Florida, a circumstance which is unusual when we consider that
the east and west coasts of that State are annually visited by thousands
of eager, intelligent and observant anglers, a few only of whom have
caught this fish, and only in Biscayne Bay. They at once classed it
as the fiercest fighter for its size in southern seas, and in this connec-
tion it must be noticed that the presence of game qualities in a fish is
an assurance that its habits, habitat and physical markings will be
studied by the angler who catches it, particularly when the fish is the
first of its species that has fallen to his rod. With this fact before
me, I am impelled to question the accuracy of the recorded northern
range of the bonefish.

"But little is known of the angling traits of A. vulpes, although
for several years past there has been great interest shown by anglers,
in Florida, as to its fighting qualities and habitat. In the winter of
'94-' 95, a large number of enthusiastic anglers gathered at Naples on

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 273

the Gulf of Mexico, and none of them had any personal knowledge
of this much-talked-about fish. It seems to have fallen to the good
fortune of an intelligent and observant, but anonymous, writer to
herald its superiority as a game fish. He wrote :

" ' For the past two winters, skillful fishermen among the North-
ern tourists, whom I knew personally or by reputation among mutual
acquaintances, have been reporting with enthusiasm the discovery in
Biscayne Bay of a new game-fish which is to surpass all the other
ministers to piscatorial amusements. Some went so far as to say that
the Tarpon is superseded as the king of fish ; as expressed by one of
them, who kills annually more than fifty tarpon, ' the tarpon is not
in it.'

" Being inflamed by this story of the ' new planet which swims
within our ken,' I took a day at Biscayne Bay, returning to-night
with three of the fish.

"The Bone-fish is new to me, and, so far as I can ascertain, is
taken only in Florida, at Biscayne Bay and probably southward,
though as to this I have no information. A guide did tell me that
it is abundant in Cuba, where it is called what he pronounced leetha,
or ' the swift. '

"The three specimens taken by my friend and myself, weighed
(by estimations) six, five, and four pounds respectively. The bait is
surf-bugs or sand-fleas, such as are used occasionally on the Jersey
coast for sheepshead when that capricious fish declines his ordinary
diet. They are taken in the same manner as there, by a scoop or
net, or digging with the fingers, when the breaker recedes.

"The cast — two hooks, No. 7 O'Shaughnessy, above a small
sinker and one foot apart — is made seventy feet or more from the
boat, along a sandbar, on the rising tide. Three inches of water on
the top of the bar are preferable, but the day I was fishing was at the
tail end of a ' norther,' and I had to fish the shallow channels next
the bar in three or four feet of water. The strike is a slow nibble or
mumble, and it requires quickness and discretion to hook the fish.
But when he is hooked, which is by a sudden slight motion of the
wrist, the aspect of the contest changes from apathy to fierce activity.
There is a lightning-like run of perhaps one hundred yards, then a
return nearly to the boat, then an equally extensive run which cannot
be checked, and then zigzag rushes and flourishes here, there, and
everywhere until the fish is exhausted, and finally lifted into the boat

274 WHERE, WHEN, AND II OW TO CATCH FISH

by the line — no gaffing or other ceremonial ; there is no leaping or
jumping — all honest fishwork, below the surface and in his own ele-
ment. I have taken small-mouth bass of similar weight and length,
and brook trout not so large, and they simply do not compare with
this fighter. There is no fish (of his class) which can be named with
him. They are not in the same category unless it be in beauty. It
would be like comparing snipe shooting with hunting deer.

"This fish is round-barrelled and heavy for its size. It has a
pointed snout, with mouth under its nose like the hake, which is most
erroneously called by New York fishermen kingfish. Its head has no
scales, but is covered by a shining silver epidermis. The eye is
black and quite large. The scales are large and are closely set on
the body, and look like a network of closely compacted silver rings.
A most gleaming fish.

" The first question asked as to a fish is : 'Is it good to eat ?' This
one is very good to eat. It has the disadvantage of all the fish for the
table — the shad — of being full of bones, but the flesh in the intervals
is delicious. I like it better than the pompano, and next after the
shad."

NOTE BY GREGG.

Mr. Harris agrees with the scientific men in his classification, and has illustration
of the " Albula vulpes" as the Bonefish of Biscayne Bay, and of the " Elops
saurus" as the Lady-fish Bonefish of the fishermen and sportsmen of Florida.
His article on the subject, is, in my opinion, the best one ever written, and is here
copied with his kind permission. His work, Vol. I, is a large folio, containing, in
addition to the text, forty colored illustrations, and ninety-three engravings of fishes.

He was my guest during all of April, and part of May last, on a cruise from
Miami to Key West, which he continued from Key West north to Ponce Park
(Mosquito Inlet), thus visiting nearly all the best fishing grounds of the East Coast,
a distance of 422 statute miles. While at Key West I happened to catch, within a
few minutes, one each of the two fishes in question, both of which we took aboard
and carefully examined and compared with Bulletin 47, the result confirming all
that he had said on the subject in his " Fishes of North America."

He has kindly written the following affirmation of his previous statements and
conclusion, for insertion herein, viz :

"August 20, 1902. Since writing the above (in 'Fishes of North America') I
have encountered the bone-fish {Albula vidpes) in the waters of the Florida Keys,
and accord them all the game qualities allotted by angling writers and rod users ;
certainly, for size, they are the ablest fighters of the seas. I had heard of them,
years ago, from hundreds of fishing tourists on the Western Coast of Florida, where
they were not found, and where they were known as the bone-fish of Biscayne Bay.

"A fish (Elops saurus), of another family, was called on the West Coast the

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 275

' lady ' or bony-fish, it being almost ubiquitous on both the East and West coasts ;
the name ' bone-fish ' was never applied by anglers to any fish other than that of
Biscayne Bay, Fla. All of these three names were assigned respectively to both of
the above-named species in the official publications of the United States Fish
Commission.

"This confusing popular nomenclature, authoritatively endorsed by scientists, led
me temporarily last spring to confuse the two fishes when first taken on my rod, and
I am glad to see that Jordan & Evermann in their latest publication, ' American
Food and Game Fishes,' have dropped the perplexing name of ' lady fish ' which
they formerly applied to Flops saurus, the fighting brother of the tarpon, leaping
into the air, 'dancing on its tail,' with snout and greater portion of its body in full
view, every action showing it to be of the same noble stock as the 'Silver King.'

"Per contra, Albula vulpes, the true bone-fish of Biscayne Bay, never leaps, fights
straight away in long desperate surges, being apparently ignorant of other devices
of escape, and is seldom caught in deep water, in which the 'lady-fish' habitually
feeds. The different actions of these two fishes, when on a restraining line, indicate,
from an angling standpoint, no kindred of species ; in fact, the leaper is close kin
to the tarpon, and the surger belongs to a different family {AUndida) the lady-fishes,
of which but one species is known, the one here considered.

"Again, the question of range of these. two fishes, as stated by Jordan & Ever-
mann, still continues to confuse the angler. The bone-fish of Biscayne Bay, accord-
ing to the consensus of opinion and experience among rod fishermen, has never
been seen, or caught, north of Indian River, Florida, albeit the ichthyologists state
that they range as far north as Long Island. The migrations of the 'lady-fish'
(Flops), so called by anglers, are confined by the same authorities to the seas south
of the Carolinas and the Gulf of Carolina, while one straggler, at least, roamed
north to the south side of Staten Island, N. Y.

"W. C. HARRIS."

276 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH

RESUME.

In conclusion, I will say that inasmuch as there has certainly been
two different fishes in Florida called Bonefish, and two different ones
called Ladyfish, two so called by the residents and sportsmen, and
the other two so called by the scientific men, it was natural that the
confusion of names should arise. Although the scientific men have
been technically right all the time, some of them have, in my opinion,
added to the confusion in some of the ranges of habitat and edible
qualities. For instance, Gunther says of " Albula " (the Bonefish of
Biscayne Bay and the Keys): " It grows to a length of two to three
feet, and not valued as food." Now, no bonefish has been caught in
Biscayne Bay and among the Keys which has weighed over 10^
pounds, or measured over two feet long, but he may reach a length of
three feet in the West Indian, or other tropical seas ; and the fish is
in Florida, Cuba, and Nassau considered a fairly edible one. I class
him B, but "tastes differ," and many people consider him A No. 1,
and A. He says of the " Elops saurus," " It exceeds a length of
three feet and is not esteemed as food," which is, I think, correct.

Jordan & Gilbert, page 258, say of the Albula vulpes : "Cape
Cod to Southern California and East Indies, abundant in tropical
seas. " Only an occasional straggler has been found north of Biscayne
Bay, a few in Lake Worth, and occasionally one caught in net by
market fishermen near Indian River Inlet.

H. M. Smith, in "Annotated List of Fishes known to inhabit the
Woods Hole Region," says, under heading " Albula vulpes ".• "Very
rare, reported by Prof. Baird in 1871, and since observed only once
or twice. None seen for many years."

They say, " Not much valued as food, but beautiful and gamy,"
which, in my opinion, is incorrect as to edible qualities. They say
of £ lops saurus, "A handsome fish, not rare on our Atlantic coast."
Which I think correct, if confined to southern part of the coast, say
from Virginia south.

Jordan & Evermann say of Albula vulpes : " Length 18 inches
to 3 feet, and a beautiful and active fish, in most places little valued
as food, but in some regions, as Key West, highly appreciated."

ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 277

An error as to edible qualities. They cite two authorities, who call
the fish " Banana Fish," and they put it in as one of their common
names.

Now, the Bone-fish of Biscayne Bay and the Keys does not in the
least resemble a banana in shape, but the Lady-fish Bone-fish of Flor-
ida does decidedly resemble a banana. Where, or how, did the
Albula vulpes of the books get the name of Banana Fish ? They say,
" Ranging northward on our coasts to San Diego and Long Island."
See H. M. Smith, as quoted, as to latter point.

They say of Elops saurus : "Tropical seas, abundant and very
widely distributed, common in America, north to Carolina and the
Gulf of California, straying on the Atlantic coast to Long Island."
Which I believe to be correct. They say nothing of its edible qualities.

G. Brown Goode, page 410, as quoted. He very evidently
classed the Lady-fish of Florida in the Albula family. He says Hen-
shall found it in the Indian River Inlet, etc.

I am inclined to think Doctor Henshall simply wrote of the
" Lady-fish " of Florida, and had nothing to do with Goode's descrip-
tion. He speaks of the fish he caught as a "slender fish," so surely
was writing of the so-called Lady-fish of Florida.

Goode says : "At the Bermudas, large schools are taken, and it is
there considered a most excellent food fish. From personal observa-
tion I can testify that its reputation is by no means a false one."
After quoting from Henshall, he says : " On account of its beautiful
color it sells readily, but is not esteemed as a table fish."

U. S. Fish Commission Report of 1895, in Check List by J. & E.
Elopdce : "Common north to the Gulf of California and to the
Long Island Sound on the Atlantic coast." See H. M. Smith as to
this statement.

Of Albula vulpes ', they say: "Tropical seas, varying northward
to San Diego and Long Island."

In same work is quotation from list of J. F. McCormick, "Bone-
fish. Albula vulpes." Nothing to indicate which Bonefish he
meant. I presume, the one of Biscayne Bay and the Keys.

U. S. Fish Commission Report, l<s(.Ki, page 240. Evermann &
Kendall say, under heading Elops saurus: "Observed at Fort

278 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH.

Pierce, and at mouth of St. Lucie River. Known to some fishermen
as Ladyfish. Frequently taken in seines. Examples from Fort
Pierce preserved." The above is, of course, the Ladyfish Bonefish
of Florida.

The Albula vulpes is not reported in the list of Indian River
Fishes, showing plainly that Mr. Goode was mistaken in saying that
Doctor Henshall caught them there.

Same work, "The Fish and Fisheries of the Coastal Waters of
Florida," John J. Brice, reference at foot page 285: " There are
many other species of fishes found at Key West which are used to a
greater or less extent as food. Among them are the Bonefish {Albula
vulpes'), Ten-pounder {Elops saurus), Barracuda, etc." All con-
sistent with other scientists.

U. S. Fish Commission Bulletin, 1897: "Annotated List of
Fishes known to inhabit the Woods Hole Region, by Hugh M.
Smith." Pages 90, 91: " Elops saurus, Ten Pounder ; Big-eyed
Herring. Common in fall, none appearing before October, etc., " Al-
bula vulpes" (Linnaeus), "Ladyfish; Bonefish." "Very rare.
Reported by Prof. Baird in 1871, and since observed only once or
twice. None seen for many years. ' ' All consistent with other scientists.

U. S. Fish Commission Report, 1899. "Check List of the
Fishes of Florida, Evermann & Kendall." " Albula vulpes and
Elops saurus." All consistent.

Mr. Wm. C. Harris. "The Fishes of North America." " Albula
vulpes and Elops saurus," is consistent with the scientists.

Fishes of Porto Rico. U. S. Fish Commission, 1900, B. W.
Evermann, has "Elops saurus" (the Florida Ladyfish Bonefish);
all consistent in every way. "Albula vulpes" (the Bonefish of
Biscayne Bay and the Keys); all consistent except the range to
Massachusetts. See H. M. Smith, quoted above.

1 trust the above quotations may fully establish the fact that the
"Albula vulpes" of the text books is the " Bonefish of Biscayne
Bay and the Keys," and that the "Elops saurus " of the text books
is the "Ladyfish Bonefish" of both coasts of Florida, so called by
the sportsmen and market fishermen of the State.

INDEX

PAGE.

Acara Aya, 90

Atlantic Beach, 179

Ada B., Sloop, 211

Arch Creek, 205

Artificial Flies, 213

Aquarium, 220

American Anglers' Book, . . . 3, 4

Al Fresco, 3

American Game Fishes, ... 4

Asten, Commodore, 5

America, 9

American Fishes (Goode), . 13, 14, 44

American Angler, 4

Alewife, 34, 158

American Shad, 35

Armes, Mr., . 53

Allen, Mr., 55

Amber Jack, . . GO, 61, 62, 158, 160
Angel-fish, 130, 131, 132, 132i, 133, 222
Angel-fish, Black, . . . " . . 131
Angelichthys Ciliaris, .... 132
Angelichthys Isabelita, .... 133

American Sole 148, 149

Angel Fish Creek, ... 177, 222

Arch Creek, 205

Arsenecker Keys, . . . 213, 225
Angelfish Creek, Little, ... 222

Angelfish Key, 222

Annette Key, 238

Aetobatus Narinari, 26

Alligator Lighthouse, 8, 87, 230, 231

Alligator Gar, 27

Ahlia Egmontis, 30

Anisotremus Virginicus, . . 106

Achirus Lineatus, 148

Achirus Inscriptus, 148

Achirus Fasciatus 149

Artificial Baits, .... 158, 159

Alligator Story, 191

Alibi Story, 226

Anclote River, 8, 44

Alosa Sapidissima, 35

Anchovy, 38, 158

Archosargus Unimaculatis, . . 114
Aixhosargus Probatocephalus, . 115

Ankona, 194

Aquarium, . . • 8

Audubon, 15

Albula Vulpes, 34

PAGE.

Agujon 39

Aguja de Casta, 39

Aguja Voladora, 52

Aguaji, 79

Aguja Prieta, 52

Ancylopsetta Quadrocellata, . . 146

Barracuda, .... 8, 45, 158, 160

Bay of Florida, 8

Bay St. Louis, 8

Baits, 32, 157, 158

Banana-fish, 34

Branch Herring, 34

Barracuda, Great, 45

Bars, 177

Bannerfish, 52

Black Bass, Large-mouth, . . 72, 74

Bayou Bass, 72

Black Grouper, 78, 79

Bacalao, 79

Black Jewfish 79

Bairdiella Chrysura, .... 97

Black Grunt, 99

Bastard Margaret, ... 99, 152
Bathystoma Rimator, .... 103
Bathystoma Striatum, .... 105
Bathystoma Aurolineatum, . . 105

Bajonado, 110

Bass, 118

Black Drum, 123

Black Angel-fish, 131

Balistes Carolinensis, .... 133

Balistes Vetula, 134

Bladder-fish, 141

Black Creek, 212

Bat-fish, 141, 150

Barnes Sound, .... 217, 225

Black Sea Bass, 150

Black Water Bay, 225

Black-fish, 150, 156

Black Will, 150

Black Harry, 150

Bravo, Capt., 56-59

Black Bass, ... 72, 73, 74, 75
Ball Brothers, Brainerd and

Charles, 212, 219

Bass line, 161

"Bay Way," from Key West to

Miami, 244

256

INDEX

PAGE.

Brass Box Swivels, 161

Bahia Honda Key, . . . 233, 234

Banana River, 191

Bahia Honda Harbor and Chan-
nels, 234, 238

Banana Creek, 191

Beverly, Fred, 3

Benson, Mr., 5

Bears Cut, . 7, 34, 177, 209, 214, 216

Behring Sea, 10

Brevoortia Tyrannus, .... 37
Brevoortia Tyrannus Patronus, . 37

Becuna, 45

Breakers, The, ... 55, 200, 201

Bream, 72, 113, 152

Bream (salt water), 113, 114, 121, 152
Bermuda Chub, .... 117, 219

Besougas, 112, 120, 151

Biscayne Bay, 6, 7, 10, 39, 46, 50, 61,
82, 93, 177, 205, 221

Biloxi, 8

Birds of America, 15

Billfish, 27, 39

Big-eyed Herring, .... 33, 34

Big-eyed Scad, 62

Biajaiba, 94

Brickie, Capt. Charles, . . . 211

Biscayne, Key, 216

Big Spanish Key and Channel, . 234
Bird Key and Channel, ... 235
Big Coppit Key and Channel, . 235
Big Pine Key and Channel, 234, 238
British Museum, .... 14, 65

Birch Lake, Minn., 74

Borden, Edward P.,

5, 7, 8, 199, 202, 220, 231

Brookings, H. G., 5

Bonnet-head Shark, 16

Bonedog, 23

Boca Grand Pass, 32

Bonefish 33, 34, 40

Bond Iron Boat, 74

Bony-fish, 33, 34, 37

Bonito, • . . 49, 69

Boohoo, 52

Brochet de Mer, 69, 253

Brown Hackle Fly, 73

Bonaci de Piedra, 78

Bonaci Arara, 78

Boar Grunt, 100

Blower, 138

Blow-fish, 139

Brook Trout, 74

Block-tin Squids, 158

Broad Creek, . . . .177, 221, 222

Boca Chica, 176

Bonefish Banks, The 224

Boggy, 225, 226

PAGE.

Boot Key and Channel, .... 234
Boca Chica Key and Channel, . 235
Bollioes (see Balaos).
Bluefish, 4, 7, 10, 64, 68, 68i, 158, 159

Bulletin 47, 11, 64

Bulletins and Reports of United

States Fish Commission, . 9, 11,
12, 13, 14, 59, 60, 86, 116, 121,
140, 152, 154

Bulletin No. 16, 11

Bugfish, 37

Blue-back Mullet, 43

Blue Runner, 63

Blunt-nosed Shiner, 67

Blue Bream, 71

Blue Sunfish, 71

Blue-gill, 71

Blue Bonito, 49

Bull Red-fish 118

Bullon 129

Blue Parrot-fish, .... 127, 129

Burr-fish, 140

Blue Hole Cut, .... 177, 193

Budd Key, 238

Buel Spoon, 31

Clarke, S. C, . . . . 3, 4, 5, 186
Camp Life in Florida, .... 3
Camping and Cruising in Florida, 3

Cape Florida, ... 8, 210, 216, 217

Cape Florida Light, 218

Cape Florida Pass, 177

Caesar's Creek, .... 8, 177, 221
Charlotte Harbor, . . 8, 31, 32, 44

Cape Sable, 8, 233

Caloosa River, 8, 32

California, Gulf of, 10

Cavalles, . 10, 12, 44, 50, 63, 64, 66
Canal, Lake Worth to Biscayne Bay, 204

Catfishes, 12, 64

Carps, 12, 64

Cannibals, 217

Catalogue of the New York Aqua-
rium, The, 13

Carcharias Littoralis, .... 17

Card Sound, 217, 222

Clam Cracker, 26

Captiva Pass, 32

Crawfish, . 19, 66, 156, 157, 158, 217

Cameron, Mr., 53

Carolina coast, 55

Caranx Crysos, 63

Caranx Hippos, 66

Crab 66, 156

Caranx BartholomaM, .... 68

Crab Eater 69

Card Point, 213

Chrenobryttus Gulosus, .... 70

INDEX.

Ihl

PAGE.

Calico Phantom Minnows, . . . 158

Cabra Mora, 75

Cabrilla, 75

Channel Key, 238

Cabrilla de Raizero, 78

Cabellerote, 85

Crane Key, 238

Caji, 88

Caesar, 103

Catalineta, 106

Calamus Calamus, 110

Charts U. S. Geodetic Survey, . 213

Calamus Proridens, 110

Calamus Bajonado, 110

Calamus Penna, Ill

Calamus Arctifrons, Ill

Channel Bass, 118

Carolina Whiting, 122

Capitaine, 126

Clamagore, 129

Chsetodipterus Faber, .... 130

Chapin, 136, 136

Crayfish, 156, 157, 214

Crappies, 73

Calda Channel, 244

Clams for Bait, .... 158, 158
Crawl Key and Channel, . . . 234
Charleston News and Courier Shark

Stories, 20, 21, 22

Cedar Keys, 3, 10

Clear Water, 8

Clear Water Harbor 8, 18

Crevalle (see Cavalle).

Check List of Fishes of Florida, 11, 219

Check List of Bulletin 47, . . 11, 12

Cefalo, 42

Cero, 50

Cherna Americana, 76

Cherna de Vivero, 76

Cherna Criolla, 77

Creole Fish, 83

Cephalacanthus Volitans, . . . 141
Centropomus Undecimalis, . . 253
Centropristes Striatus, .... 150

Chicarro, 62

Cibi Amarillo, 68

Chirivita 131

City Point, 190

City of Key West, Steamer, . . 57

Connor, W. E., 5

Cocoanut Grove, 8, 210, 212, 213, 214

Common Skate, 24

Common Sea Cat, 28

Conger Eel, 29

Common Shad, 35

Common American Sea-horse, . 41

Common Mullet, 42

Conchs, ... 61, 06, 105, 215, 217

PAGE.

Conch Shells, .... 105, 158

Cobbler, 54

Common Pompano, .... 54, 55

Cory, Mr., 55

Cobb, John N., 59

Coronado, 60, 187

Coginera, 62

Cobia 69

Copper-nosed Bream, .... 71

Common Sunfish, 72

Chopa, 84

Chofa, 84

Common Grunt, 101

Common Scup, 108

Chopa Spina, 113, 152

Chopa Blanca, 117

Common Weakfish, 117

Croaker, 120, 121

Chonch Keys, 233

Corvina, 121

Common Drum, 124

Common Angel-fish, .... 133

Cochino, 134

Cow-fish, 137

Coldweather, effect of, ... . 245

Common Burr-fish, 140

Common Flatfish, 147

Common Sea Crab, 156

Corbett's Docks, 44, 180

Costello, Alfred, 211

Cod Line 161

Cork Floats, 162, 172

Courtney, 190

Continental Hotel 239

Coon Oysters, 180

Coronado Beach, 187

Cocoa, 190

Cow Key and Channel, .... 235

Chuckaluska, 8

Chubs, 10, 117

Crustacffi, 33, 40

Cutlass Fish, 51

Chub (salt water), 117

Cuban Fish, 121

Cucuyo, 133

Cuckold, 137

Cuttle Fish, 156

Cut Mullets, 158

Cut Sailor's Choice, 158

Cudjoes Key and Channel, . 235, 238

Cut Kingfish, 158

Cutler, 210

Cynoscion Regalis, 117

Cynoscion Nebulosus, . . . . 118
Chylomycterus Schoepfi, . . . 140

Cyprinodon, 142

Cryptotomus Beryllinus, . . . 127

258

INDEX.

PAGE.

Daytona, 5, 6, 182

Dasyatis Say, 25

Darwinian Theory, 64

Dark Green Parrot Fish, ... 127
Deer Island and Channel, . . . 235

Desolation Key, 238

Diehl, Dr 5

Dimmick's Hotel, .... 7, 56

Disston City, 8

Diplectrum Formosum, . . 48, 82
Diplodus Holbrookii, .... 116

Diodon Hystrix, 139

Diablo, 150

Dogfish, 23

Dogfish, Picked 23

Dollar-fish, 63

Dollardee, 71

Dolly Varden Grouper, . . 78, 219

Dormeur, 84

Dog Key, 238

Doctor Whitfield's 190

Doctor Perrine, 230

Duneden, 8

Drum, 124

Drumfish, 123

Drunken-fish, 136

Duck Lake, Mich., .... 74, 75

Ducks 188

Duck Key 233

Elagatis Bipinnulatus, .... 62
East Coast Railway Steamer

" Santa Lucia," .... 57
Egg-shaped Sinkers, . . . 161, 175

EauGalle 190

East Rockland Key, 235

East Crawfish Key, 236

Eagle Nest Key 238

East Coast, . 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 91
East Coast Hotel List, .... 177

El Capitaine, 126

East Coast Railway, 177

Eddie Pent, 213

Enterprise, 3, 5

Evermann, Barton Warren, 9, 11, 13

Echeneis Naucrates, 143

Eden, 59, 194

Everglades, 6

English Lookout, 8

Ellwife, 34

Epinephelus Adscensionis, ... 75
Epinephelus Drummond-Hayi, . 75
Epinephelus Maculosus, ... 75

Epinephelus Morio, 76

Epinephelus Striatus, .... 77

Erizo, 139

English Pilchard, 155

Elliots Key, 220, 221

PAGE.

Elops Saurus, 33

Exoccetus Volitans, 40

Eupomotis Gibbosus, .... 72

Eques Lanceolatus, 125

European Languages, .... 65

Encyclopaedia Britannica, ... 65

Fatback, . 37, 68

Flasher, 84

Flagler, Mr. H. M., . . 57, 58, 216
Frankfort Reel, B.C. Milam & Son,

Frankfort, Ky 161

Faustina, 190

Flatfish, Common, 147

Fairy Land, 190

Fernandina, 3, 6

Felichthys Marinus, 29

French Grunt, 102

Flemmings Key, 238

French Names of Fishes, ... 13

Fish and Fishing, 3

Finny Crabs, 936

Fishing in American Waters, . 3
Fishes of North and Middle Amer-
ica, a Descriptive Catalogue of
the Species of Fish-like Verte-
brates found in the waters of
North America, North of the
Isthmus of Panama, The . 11
Fishes of Porto Rico, .... 12

File Fish, 135

Fishes of North America (Harris), 65

Fishery Congress, 9

Fishing Localities, 177

Fiddler Crabs 33, 158

Frigate Mackerel, 49

Fishing Tackle, .... 160-175

Forester, Frank, 3, 13

Florida, 3, 6, 9, 10, 31

Forest and Stream, 3, 4

Fort Meyers, 8, 31

Florida, Bay of (Great Florida

Bay), 231

Fort Pierce Cut, .... 177, 193

Floats, Cork, 162, 172

Florida Cat, 28

Fort Capron 193

Fodiator Acutus, 41

Fowey Rock Light, 51, 52, 60, 61, 68, 218

Fool Fish, 135

Fort Lauderdale, 205

Flounders, . . . 145, 146, 147, 149

Florida Food, 44

Fort Pierce, 194

Flounder, Spotted, 147

Formula of Jordan & Evermann, 14, 15

Fundulus Heteroclitus 154

Flying-fish 40, 41

INDEX.

259

PAGE.

Flying-fish, Sharp-nosed, ... 41
Flying Robin, 141

Gardner, Capt. John, 4, 5, 7, 8, 31,

44, 45, 55, 61, 62, 87, 105, 116

Gata (Shark), 17

Gar (fresh water) 27

Gar, Short-nosed, 27

Gaff, Topsail Cat, 29

Grande Ecaille, 31

Gaspereau, 34

Galliwasp 38

Gag . 79

Garrupa Nigrita, 79

Gray Snapper, 85, 87

Gray Grunt, 98

Grass Porgy, Ill

Garfield Cut, 177, 193

Galeichthys or Hexanematichthys

Felis, 28

Grains, 214

Grain Handles, 214

Grasshoppers (bait), .... 72
Grassy Key and Channel, . . . 234

Gregg, W. H., 5

Gregg, W. H., Jr., 5

Great Gar, 27

George, Mr., 31, 32

Great Barracuda, 45

Great Pompano, 59

Great Amber-fish, 60

Green Bass, 72

Greek Language, 65

Gerres Olisthostomus, .... 116
Green Parrot-fish, . . . 127, 129

Green Lake, Wis., 74

Georgiana, 190

Great Florida Reefs, . 207, 216, 218
Great Bay of Florida, 226, 231, 233, 244
Geodetic Survey, U. S., . . . 213
Geigers Key and Channel, . . . 235
Gilbert's Bar, 7, 50, 55, 177, 194, 195
Ginglymostoma Cirratum, ... 17

Gill Nets, 202, 205

Grits, 43

Grits and Grunts, . . . 104, 105
GrifnnBrothers, Walter andjefferson, 242
Goode, G. Browne, . . 4, 13, 14, 44
Groupers, 12, 64, 74^, 75, 76, 77,

78, 79, 158, 159

Ground Spearing, 38

Goat Fish, 39, 82, 129

Goat-fish, Yellow 129

Goggle-eye Runner, 62

Goggler, 62

Goggle-eye Jack, 62

Goggle-eye 70

Goode & Beane, 116

PAGE.

Gogebig, Lake, Wis., .... 74

Goody, 120, 151

Globe Fish, 139, 141

Gobies, 142, 158

Gobius Stigmaticus, 142

Gobius encoeomus, 142

G. boleosoma, 142

Gulf of Mexico, .... 8, 10, 35
Grunts, 10, 12, 98, 99, 100, 101,

102, 103, 105, 158

Grunt Story, 104, 105

Gulf of California, 10

Gulf Menhaden, 37

Guardfish, 39

Guebucu 52

Guasa, 80

Grunters, 98-105

Guapena, 125

Guacamaia, 129

Gunther, Albert C. L. G., . 14, 65

Gulf Flounder, 146

Guides for Rods 161, 174

Gulf-fish, 121

Gulf Coast, 10

Gut Snood, 33, 55

Gymnosarda Alleterata, ... 49

Hallock, Charles 3, 14

Haldeman, W. N., 4

Halifax River, .... 4, 149, 182

Hawley, Frederick, 5

Hays, Charles M., 5

Haulovers, The, .... 6, 7, 189
Hammer-headed Shark, ... 16

Hard Tail Runner, 63

Hamlet, 30, 77

Hremulon Album, .... 98, 155
Hcemulon Macrostomum, ... 98

Hnjmulon, 98-102, 153

Hcemulon Bonariense, .... 99

Hsemulon Parra, 99, 153

Haemulon Sciurus, 100

Heemulon Plumieri, 101

Hsemulon Flavolineatum, . . . 102

Harpe Rufa 126

Hakes, 144

Hake, Silver, 144

Haunabill, 150

H. acutum, 153

H. serratum, 153

H. macrostomum, 154

H. rimator, 154

Harris, W. C, 65

Hall's Lines 32, 161

Harrison's blued ringed Sproat

Hooks 161, 173

Haulover Canal (see Haulover).
Hawkes Channel, 207

260

INDEX.

PAGE.

Hawks Park, 188

Harbor Keys and Channel, . . 235

Hawk Key, 238

Herbert, Henry William, ... 3
Henshall, Jas. A., ... 3, 14, 232

Henn, Lieut. Wm., 10

Hermit Crab, 33, 158

Henry, Uncle 57

Hillsboro River, ... 4, 5, 6, 149

Hillman, C. E., 5

Hillsboro Bay, G

Hillsboro, Sloop, 7, 61

Hippocampus Hudsonius, ... 41
Hippocampus Zostera, .... 42
Hillsboro Inlet, .... 177, 204
Hillsboro River (Dade Co.), . . 204

Hillsboro Sound, 204

Horse Creek, 8

Hotel Riviera, 7

Homosassa, 8

Homosassa River, 8, 44

Houndfish, 39

Holocentrus Ascensionis, ... 47
Hotel Royal Palm, 51, 53, 60, 209, 231

Horse-eye Jack, 62

Horse Crevalle, 66

Horsefish, 67

Horsehead, 67

Hogfish, ... 91, 107, 126, 152

Horny Cony, 135

Hog Choker, 149

Hobe Sound, 196

Hotel Royal Poinciana, 7, 57, 61, 200
Houses of Refuge, . . . . 6, 211

Howes Key, 238

Hooks, Virginia Pattern, . . . 161

Hooks, 161

Huling, Mr. Geo. D., . . . 52, 53

Huxley, Thos. H., 157

Hypoluxo, 200

Hybridism, 65

Isabelita, 132

Indian River, 4, 6, 7, 10, 35, 44,

45, 54, 55, 116, 190, 193, 244, 246
Indian River Inlet, 7, 10, 31, 50,

55, 177, 194
Indian Key, . . 8, 19, 87, 230, 245
Istiophorus Nigricans, .... 52
Indian River Permit, . . . 55, 59
Irish Pompano, .... 116, 116

Ink Fish, 156

Indianola, 190

Indian River Narrows, .... 192

Indian Creek, 206

Inn, The (Lake Worth), . . 55, 201
Inside Route from Key West to

Bahia Honde, 238

PAGE.

Introductory, 3

Introduction to the Study of Fishes

(Glinther), 14

Isurus Dekayi, 17

Jacksonville, 3, 6, 7

Jacks, 10, 12, 64, 66

Jallao, 98, 155

Jeniguano, 105

Jelly Fish, 156

Jensen, 59, 194

Jewfish, 79, 80, 81, 158

Jewfish Channel, 198

Jewfish Creek, .... 225, 225

Jiguagua, 66

Jones, Sam'l H., . . . . 5, 31, 194

Johns Pass, 8

Jordan, David Star, 11

Jordan &Evermann, 11,12,13,14, 16,

54, 60, 63, 64, 86, 116, 124, 140

Jordan cSc Gilbert, . . . 11, 12, 64

John-Mariggle, 33

Jorobado, 67

John Paw, 75

Jolt-head Porgy, 110

Jordan & Kendall, 219

Jupiter, 6, 7, 56, 197

Jupiter Inlet, ... 55, 69, 177, 197

Jupiter Creeks, 198

Jurel, 63

Jug-fish, 137

Juno, 56

Jupiter Narrows, 196

Jupiter & Lake Worth Railway, . 198

Kenworthy, Dr., 3

Key West, 4, 5, 6, 10, 18, 19, 50,
54, 93, 104, 105, 213, 217,

236, 237, 242, 244

Key West Channel, 235

Kendall, W. C, 59

Key West Permit, .... 54, 60
Key West Sailor's Choice, . . . 153
Key Largo, . . 177, 222, 222, 226

Key Biscayne, 216

Keys, The, 6, 9, 13, 34, 64, 116,

213 217
Kingfish, ... 7, 10, 50, 158, 159

Kingfish (small), 122

Knight Key and Channel, . 234, 244
Knock Down Key and Channel, . 235
Kyphosus Sectatrix, 117

Lake Worth Inlet 201

Lake Worth, . 6, 7, 10, 50, 55, 56, 87

Lake Worth Creek, 6

Lake Worth Pier 87, 201

Lake Poinset, 7

INDEX.

261

PAGE.

Large-Mouth Bass, 72

Lancelets, 13

Lake Gogebig, Mich., .... 74

Lake Superior, 75

Lampreys, 13

Lake Gogebig, Mich., .... 74

Lady-fish 34, 126

Latin Language, 65

Lagarto, 38

Lake Worth Inlet, .... 55, 177

Large Permit, 60

Lawyer, 85

Lane Snapper, 94

Lagodon Rhomboides, . . 113, 152

Lafayette, 120, 151

Lachnolaimus Maximus, . . . 126
Lactophrys Tricornis, .... 137

La Forge, Miss, 53

Lactophrys Trigonus, .... 136
Lactophrys Triqueter, .... 136
Lagocephalus Lrevigatus, . . . 137
Lagocephalus Pachycephalus, . 137

Lantana, 57, 200

Lake Minnetonka, Minn., . . 73,74

Lemon City, 206

Lepisosteus Tristoechus, ... 27
Lepisosteus Platostomus, ... 27
Leptocephalus Conger, .... 29

Lepomis, 71

Lepomis Pallidus, 71

Leiostomus Xanthurus, . . 120, 151

Leather Jacket, 133

Leather Fish, 134. 135

Leaders, 33, 55

List of Fishes, . . . 207, 208, 209
List of Fishing Tackle, . 160, 161, 162

List of Baits, 33, 158

List of Artificial Baits, . . 158, 159
Lillie Shippey, Sloop, .... 7

Little Skate, 24

Lisa Francesa, 33

Lizard Fish, 38

Lisa Cabezuda, 42

Liza 43

Lisa Blanca, 43

Little Tunny, 49

Little-head Porgy, 110

Little-mouth Porgy, Ill

Lija, 134, 135

Ligget, John, 45

Linen Tarpon Line, 161

Little Pine Key and Channel, . 234

Little River, 205

Little Spanish Key and Channel, . 234
Little Card Sound, . . . 217, 225

Little Soldier Key, 218

Lignum Vite Key, 231

Lorillard, Jacob, 7

PAGE.

Long Key, 8, 233

Look-Downs 12, 67

Lorillard, Pierre, 196

Long-jaws, 39

Lobotes Surinamensis, .... 84

Loro 129

Lophogobius Cyprinoides, . . . 142

Lophopsetta Maculata, .... 147

Lobster 157

Lower Minnetonka Lake, ... 73

Loxahatchie River, 198

Long Island 226

Lower Mattacombe Key, . . . 230

Lower Mattacombe Channels, . . 233

Lupe, James 5

Lutken, Dr., 68

Lycodontis Moringa, .... 30

Lycodontis Funebris, .... 30

McFarren, Mr., 5

McCarty, Dick, 7

McCarthy, Eugene, 14

Mandeville Bros., 5

Matanzas River, 6

Matanzas Bridge, 180

Mascalonge, 74

Matanzas Inlet 6, 180

Mademoiselle, 97

Mayport, 7, 18, 178

Manatee, Schooner, ... 7, 199, 231

Mammoth Spring Hotel, ... 59

Marco, 8

Mangrove Snappers, . 85, 86, 86£, 87

Mackerel Shark, 17

Mackerel Squid, 63

Manjuari 27

Matejuelo, 47

Matajuelo Real, 33

Macabi, 34

Malabar, 190

Manjua, 38

Macho 42

Machuto, 42

Matejuelo, 47

Mangrove Grouper, 78

Mackerel Phantom Minnow, . . 119

Mademoiselle, 97

Margate-fish, 98, 155

Margaret Grunt 98, 155

Market Fish 155

Mayos Key and Channel, . 234, 238
Mexico, Gulf of, ... . 8, 10, 35

Merrit 190

Merrits Island, 190

Menhaden, 37, 158

Menhaden, Gulf, 37

Mero de lo Alto, 79

Mero, 80

262

INDEX.

PAGE.

Menticirrhus Americanus, . . . 122
Menticirrhus Saxatilis, .... 122
Merritt Bros., Key West, . . . 244
Menticirrhus Littoralis, .... 123
Merluccius Bilinearis, .... 144

Melbourne, 190

Minorcan Boys, 4

Miami River, 8, 206

Micco, 190

Miami, 206, 214

Miller, Mr. Charles, 211

Michaels Key, 238

Micropterus Salmoides, . . . 72, 73

Minnows, 158

Minnows, Phantom, . . 34, 158, 164

Minnow Hooks, 161

Micropogon Undulatus, .... 121

Minnesota, 73

Minnetonka Lakes 73, 74

Milwaukee, Lake Shore &WesternR,y, 74

Michigan, 74

Milam & Son, B. C, . . 161, 170

Michaels Key, 238

Mosquito Inlet, . 4, 5, 37, 177, 184
Mosquito Lagoon, 4, 5, 6, 7, 184, 188

Montreal, Canada, 5

Moonfishes 12, 67

Montreal Fly, 73

Morays, 30

Moray, Spotted, 30

Moray, Black 30

Morena Verde, 30

Mossbunker, 37

Mollusc, 33, 40

Moore, Mr. and Mrs. L. R. , . 52, 53
Monocanthus Ciliatus, .... 134
Monocanthus Hispidus, .... 135
Mosquito Lighthouse, .... 44
Molasses Kev and Channel, . . 234

Mullet, Roe,' 43

Mullet, Silver, 43

Mullet, White, 43

Mullets, . 32, 42, 43, 44, 45, 105, 158

Mullet, Common, 42

Mullet, Striped, 42

Mugil Cephalus, 42

Mugil Curema, 43

Mutton-fish, ... 91, 92, 93, 116

Mud Parrot, 128

Murcielago 141

Mud Fish, 154

Mud Sucker, 154

Mycteroperca Venenosa, ... 78
Mycteroperca Boulengcri, ... 78
Mycteroperca Bonaci, .... 78
Mycteroperca Microlepis, ... 79
Mycteroperca Falcata Phenax, . 79

PAGE.

Narrow Gauge, 3

Nassau Grouper, 77

Narrow Shad (Key West Bait), . 237
New Smyrna, . . 3, 5, 6, 7, 45, 187
New Smyrna Bridge, .... 187

New River, 6

New River Inlet 177

New River Inlet and Sound, . . 205

Needlefish 39, 40

New England Hake, 144

Negre, 76

Neomoenis Griseus, 85

Neomaenis Apodus, 88

Neoma;nis Aya, 90

Neomajnis Analis, 92

Neomaenis Synagris, 94

New York Aquarium, . . .13, 121
New Found Harbor Keys and

Channel, 235

Nickel Plated Spoons, .... 158

Nigger Cut, 177, 193

Nigger-fish, 76

Norris, Thaddeus, . . . . 3, 4, 13
Norris Cut, . . 34, 131, 177, 213, 214

North River Shad, 35

Northern Whiting, 122

Northwestern R'y, 74

Northern Peninsula of Michigan, 74
Northern Wisconsin, .... 74

North River, 180

No Name Key and Channel, 234, 238
Nurse Shark, 17

Oak Hill House, 5, 7

Oak Hill, 5, 188

Old Man of the Sea, 67

Opansus Tau, 144

Opansus Pardus, 144

Ontanogan River, 74

Old Rhodes Key, 221

Ocean House, 5, 7

Ostero Bay, 8

Ocean Springs, 8

Oceanic Bonito, 49

Oswego Bass, 72

Open-mouthed Grunt, .... 102

Old Wench, 134

Otsego Bass, 72

Oldwife, 120, 134, 151

Ormond, 4, 5, 5, 182

Ormond Bridge, 182

Orthopristis Chrysopterus, . . . 107
Ogcocephalus Vespertilio, . . . 150
Oconomowoc Lakes, Wis., . . 73

Ormond by the Sea, 182

Ormond Beach, 182

Old Rhodes Key, .... 221, 222
Ocyurus Chrysurus, 95

INDEX.

263

PAGE.

Oyster Crabs, 158

Oyster-fish, 144, 156

Oysters for Bait, 158

Palatka, 3

Prather, John G 5

Paine's Boarding House, ... 7

Pacetti, B. J., 7, 211

Pass a Grille, 8

Pass Christian, 8

Pablo Beach, 179

Panama, 9

Paines, James and Thos., . . . 193
Pampanos (see Pompano).

Palmasola Bay, 44

Palm Beach, .... 57, 200-202

Palometa, 55, 59

Parmachene Belle Fly, .... 73

Paranthias Furcifer, 83

Prawns 156, 158

Pargo Colorado, ... 90, 112, 151

Pargo Guachinango, 90

Pargo, 92

Pargo Criollo, 92

Pagrus Pagrus, .... 112, 151
Parrot Fish, . . .64, 127, 128, 129
Parrot Fish, Green, . . . 127, 129
Parrot Fish, Blue, . . . 127, 129

Plate-fish, 136

Paralichthys Dentatus, .... 145
Paralichthys Lethostigmus, . . 145
Paralichthys Squamilentus, . . 146
Paralichthys Albiguttus, . . . 146

Palo Alto Key 221, 222

Phantom Minnow, . . 34, 158, 164

Planter, 227

Peninsular R. R., 3

Peabody, Geo. F. , 5

Pease Creek, 8

Pearl River, 8

Pensacola, 8

Permits, .... 12, 54, 55, 59, 60

Permit, Small, 59

Pez Sierra, 23

Pez de Espada, 23

Permit of Indian River, . . 55, 59
Permit of Key West, .... 54

Pez de Pluma, 110, 110

Pescado Colorado, 118

Perro Perro, 126

Perro Colorado, 126

Pseudoscarus Guacamaia, . . . 129

Pega, 143

Pseudopleuronectes Americanus, . 147

Perch, 73

Peninsular & Occidental Steamship

Co., 206

Pent, Eddie, 213

PAGE.

Perrine, Doctor, 230

Pelican Key and Channel, . . . 235

Pine Island, 8

Picked Dogfish, 23

Pristis Pectinatus, 23

Picuda, 45

Prieto, 99

Pilchard 155, 158

Pigfish, 107, 152

Pinfish, 113, 121, 152

Prinotus Scitulus, 141

Pilot Fish, 144

Pitts Island, 202

Pickerel, 73, 74

Piano Wire, Steel, .... 50, 161
Privateer, Schooner, . . 209, 212, 219
Pigeon Key and Channel, . . . 234
Pierce, Henry J., . . . . 236,244

Pintado, 50

Pier, The (Lake Worth), . . 87, 201
Ponce Park, . . . 4, 5, 6, 84, 184

Port Tampa, 8

Poinset, Lake, 7

Porgies, 10, 12, 108, 109, 110,

111, 112, 151, 158
Porkfish, .... 10, 106, 106,L

Pomolobus Pseudoharengus, . . 34

Potomac Shad, 35

Pogy, 37

Pompano, . . 12, 54, 54i, 55-60, 64

Pompano, Round, 55

Pompano, Irish, 116

Pomatomus Saltatrix, .... 68
Polka Dot Grouper, .... 75, 219
Promicrops Guttatus, .... 80

Post-croaker, 120, 151

Pogonias Cromis, 124

Portugais, 131

Pomacanthus Arcuatus, . . . 131

Porcupine-fish, 139

Porpoise, 44

Port Orange, 183

Porpoise Key and Channel, . 234, 238

Punta Rassa, 8

Punta Gorda, 8

Pumpkin Seed, 72

Pudiano, 126

Puffers, 137, 138, 140

Puerco Espino, 139

Pumpkin Creek, .... 222, 223
Pyes Harbor Key and Channel, . 235

Quay, Senator, 31

Quays Canal, 193

Rand, McNally cS; Co., . . . .4,13

Ragged Keys, 8, 219

Rays, 12, 13, 25, 160

264

INDEX.

PAGE.

Raja Erinacea, 24

Rachycentron Canadus, ... 69

Rabirubia, 83, 84, 95, 96

Rabirubia de lo Alto, .... 83

Rabbit-fish, 140

Ragged Keys Passes, .... 177
Ram Rod Key and Channel, . . 235

Raccoon Key, 238

Red Snappers, ... 10, 90, 90i, 91

Red Groupers, 10, 76," 76i

Red Ibis Fly, 73

Red Hind, 75

Red-tail Snapper, 94

Red-mouth Grunt, 103

Red Porgy, 112, 151

Red Drum, 118

Red-fish, 118

Regador, 143

Remora, 144

Remora Brachyptera, .... 144

Red Cloth as Bait 159

Red Cedar as Bait, 159

Reid, Mr. and Mrs. W. M., . . 53

Reid, Miss, 53

Ribbon Fish 125

Riviera, 200

Riviera, Hotel 7

Rock Ledge, 7, 45, 190

Royal Poinciana, ... 7, 57, 61, 200

Roe Mullet, 43

Royal Palm Hotel, 51, 53, 60, 209, 231

Round Pampano, 55, 59

Rovalia 69, 253

Roach Bream, 71

Rock Hind, 75

Rockfish, 77, 78

Robalo, 69, 253

Ronco Prieto 99, 152

Ronco Blanco 99, 152

Ronco Amarillo, 100

Ronco Ronco, 101

Ronco Arara, 101

Ronco Condenado, 102

Roncadina, 121

Rock Shellfish, 136

Rock Bass 73

Roseland 190

Rockland and East Rockland Keys

and Channels, 235

Robinson Crusoe, Sloop, . . . 203
Rosenhof, Rosel von, .... 157

Rhodes Key, Old, 221

Rods 160

Rod Tips, 161

Rod Guides, 161

Runners 62, 63, 64

Running Jack, 63

Rudder-fish, 117

Rushton Cedar Boat,

PAGE.

. 74

St. Augustine, . . 3, 4, 6, 124, 180

St. Augustine Inlet, 177

St. Johns River, . . . . 3, 5, 6, 7

St. Johns Bar 177

Sanford 3, 7

Sands Key, 220

Saury, Mr., 5, 18

Sams, Frank W., 5, 6

St. Sebastian River, 6

St. Lucie River 195, 196

Spanish Mackerel, 7, 10,48^, 49, 158, 159
Sands Cut, .... 8, 177, 220, 222

Shark Creek, 8

San Carlos Pass, 8

St. Petersburgh, 8, 18

Sarasota, 8

Sarasota Bay, 8, 44

St. James City, 8

St. Louis, Bay, 8

Snappers, . 10, 12, 85, 88, 90, 92, 94

Small-Mouth Bass, 74

San Pablo, 179

Snapper Banks, 10

State of Florida, 217

Sharks, 12, 13, 16, 18-22, 44,64, 158, 160

Shark Hooks, 161

Shark Stories, 18-22

Skates 13, 24

Skate, Common, 24

Sand Shark, 17

Spanish Names of Fishes, ... 13

Swamp Bass, 72

Sawfish, Common, 23

Saw-fish 158

Savanilla, 31

Snake Eel, ., 30

Sabalo 31

Sand Fleas, 33

Savalle, 31

Sand Crab, 33, 158, 231

Sarno, 190

Shad, 35

Small Permit 59

Sardinella Sardina, 36

Sardines, 158

Sardina De Ley, 36

Sand Perch, 39, 82

Sand-fish, 48, 82

Scabbard Fish, 51

Sable, 51

Savola, 51

Sailfish, 52, 158

Small Permit, 59

Snap Mackerel, 68

Scamp, 79

Stake-fish, 84

INDEX.

265

Sailor's Choice, 99, 107, 113, 121,

152, 153, 158

Saw Grass, 72

Saucer-eye Porgy, 110

Shad Porgy, ...... . m

Salt-water Bream, . . 113, H4, 121

Salema, 114

Sargo Raiado, 115

Sclsenops Ocellatus, 118

Sand Whiting, 122

Spanish Lady-fish, 126

Spanish Hogfish, 126

Sparisima Chrysopterum, . . . 127

Sparisima Viride, 127

Sparisima Flavescens, .... 128

Scarus Croicensis, 129

Scarus Qeruleus, 129

Snake Key, 238

Salmonete, 129

Saddle Hill Island and Channel, . 235

Spade-fish, 130

Saddle Bunch Keys and Chan-
nels, 235, 238

Shark-sucker, 143

Snake Creek, 205

Sapo 144

Salt Water Chub, . . . . ' 117
Santa Lucia, East Coast Railway

Steamer, 57, 58

Salt Water Pike, 45

Salt Water Mascalonge, ... 45

Sea Bass, 4; 150

Sea Trout, Spotted, ' H8

Sheepshead, . . . H4, H4i; 115
Sheepshead, Holbrook, . . . 116

Sea Catfish, 28

Stearns, 31

Sea-horse, 41, 42

Serrano, 48 82

Spearfish, 52

Seriola Lalandi, 60

Seriola dumerili, 61

Selene Vomer, 67

Sergeant Fish, 69, 253

Seth Green Fly, 73

Speckled Hind, 75

Sebastian River, 6

Sebastian Bridge, 180

Stenotomus Chrysops, .... 108
Stenotomus Aculeatus, .... 109

Sheepshead Porgy, HI

Sea Crabs 158

Sea Trout, 11^ us

Sea Mink, 122

Serrana, 125

Shellfish, 136

Swell-fishes, .... 137, 139, 140
Spheroides Spengleri, .... 137

Swell Toad, . . . .
Spheroides Maculatus, .
Spheroides Marmoratus,
Spheroides Testudineus,
Sea Robin,

PAGE.

137, 138, 140
... 138
... 139
... 139
. 141

Steamer City of Key West, . . 57
Sebastian River Bridge, . . . 180

Sea Breeze, 183

Sea Breeze Pier, 183

Sebastian, 190

Sebastian River, 191

Sebastian Bay, 191

Sewell's Point, P. O., . . . . 195

Sea Chub, 117, 219

Steamboat Creeks, 223

Shell Key, 231

Sea Fisherman (Wilcocks), . . 13
Seminole War, . . . . . . 230

Siberia, 10

Smithsonian Institution, ... 11

Skittle-dog 23

Stingray 25

Stingaree, 25

Smiths Creek, 182

Silver King, 31

Sprite, 33, 158, 231

Skip Jack, 34, 68

Striped Anchovy, 38

Striped Mullet, 42

Silver Mullet, 43

Sierra., 49, 50

Silverfish, 31, 51

Spikefish, 52

Silver Moonfish, 67

Shrimp, 156, 158

Striped Grunt, 98

Silver Whiting, 123

Shippy, Lillie, Sloop, .... 232

Spiny-back, 139

Slimer, 144

Silver Hake, 144

Shiny Scup, 152

Skinner's Fluted Spoons, . 119, 158
Silver Plated Spoons, .... 163

Squids, 165

Silvered Minnows, 158

Snipe Key, 238

Swivels, 166

Sinkers, Eggshaped, and others,

161, 167, 175
Simmons Hardware Co., . . . 175

Scott, Genio C 3. 14

Sportsmen's Gazetteer, .... 3

Spongers, 215

Soldier Kev, 8, 34, 51, 52, 68, 177,

210, 216, 218
Spotted Sea Trout, . . 10, 118, 118£
Spotted Sting Ray, 26

266

INDEX.

PAGE.

Shovel-head Shark, 16

Southern Sting Ray, 25

Soldier Crabs, 33, 158

Spoons, 31, 34, 163, 164

Stolephorus Perthecatus, ... 38

Stolephorus Brownii, .... 38

Soapfish, 38

Spot, 120, 151, 152, 158

Soldado, 47

Scomberomorus Maculatus, . . 49

Scomberomorus Cavalla, ... 50

Spolia Atlantica, 68

Snook, 69, 253

Spotted Jewfish, 80

Schoolmaster, ....... 88

Southern Porgy 109

Spotted Weakfish, 118

Smooth Puffer, 137

Southern Puffer, 137

Southern Flounder, 145

Spotted Flounder, 147

Sole, American 148

Soles, 148, 149

Stone Crab, 158

"Sproat, Mr.," 162

Sombrero Lighthouse, .... 244

Schooner Tarpon, 45

Scudder, Jno. A., 5

Suckers, 12, 64

Squirrel Fish, .... 39, 47, 48, 82

Squalus Acanthias, 23

Sunfish, 71, 72, 73

Sunny, 72

Scuppaug, 108

Squeteague 117

Surf Whiting, 123

Stuffonier 142, 155, 158

Sucking-fish, 143

Summer Flounder 145

Sunfish, Blue Gill, 74

Superior, Lake, 75

Squids, 158

Spruce Creek, 184

Stuart, 195

Scup, Common, 108

Sugar Loaf Key and Channel, 235, 238

Summerland Keys and Channels, 235
Synopsis of the Fishes of North

America, 11

Sphyrna Tiburo, 16

Sphyrna Zygrena, 16

Synodus Fcetens, 38

Synodus lucioceps, 38

Sphyraneana Barracuda, ... 45

Tarpon, . . . . 4, 5, 8, 3.1, 45, 160

Table of Contents, 1

Tampa, 6, 8, 9

PAGE.

Tarpon Springs, 8

Tampa Bay, 8, 10, 44

Tarpon Atlanticus 31

Tarpum, 31

Trachinotus Carolinus, .... 54

Trachinotus, 54-60

Trachinotus Falcatus, . . 55, 59, 60
Trachinotus Goodei, .... 54, 59
Trachurops Crumenophthalmus, . 62

Tambor, 137, 139

Tally-Wag, 150

Tautoga Onitis, 156

Tautog, 156

Tarpon Rod 161

Tarpon Gaff, 161

Tarpon Reel, 161

Tarpon Hooks and Snoods, . 32, 161

Tackle Box, 162

Tavernier Creek, .... 177, 226

Ten Pounder, 33

Titusville, 3, 7, 190

Thirteen Yarn, .... 231, 232
Trichiurus Lepturus, .... 51

Tide Runner, 63

Tripple-tail, 84

Trigger-fish, .... 133, 134, 135
Tips for Rods, . . . 161, 168, 169

Tides, The, 177

Tomoka River, 4, 182

Tobacco Box, 24

Thompson, Charles, .... 52, 53

Toro, 66, 137

Trout, 73

Tom Tate, 103

Toad-fish, 140, 144

Toms Key and Channel, . . . 233
Torch Key and Channel, . . . 234

Trolling, 34

Trolling lines, 161

Turbot, 133, 135

Trunkfish, 136

Thumb Stalls, 161

Turkey Creek, 191

Tylosurus Acus, 39

Tylosurus Raphidoma, .... 39

Upeneus Martinicus, .... 129

Uncle Henry, 57

Upper Minnetonka, 73

Upper Matacumbe Channel, 177, 229
Upper Matacombe Key, . 229, 230

Uncle Henry, 57, 58

U. S. Com. Bulletin, 1897, . 121, 152
U. S. Com. Bulletin, 1898, . . 121
United States National Museum,

11, 13, 15
United States Geodetic Survey, . 213
United States Fish Commission, 9, 11, 12

INDEX

267

PAGE.

United States Fish Commission, 1899, 12
U. S. Com., 1895, . 59, 60, 116, 140
U. S. Com. Report, 1896, 54, 59,

60, 86, 116, 121, 133, 152, 154

Uncle Sam, 216

Uncle Henry, 216

United States Government, . . 218

Vaca Keys and Channels, . . . 234

Verma Kendalli, 30

Venus, 199

Vieja 127

Vieja Colorado, 128

Vieja Muger, 128

Virginia Hooks, 161

Virginia Key, 206

Voilier, 52

Volador, 141

Vom Hofe Reel, Edward, 161,

169, 170, 171

Volusia Co., 186

Vom Hofe Reel, Julius, ... 161

Walker, Prof. W. A., 5, 87, 230, 231

Ward, Capt., 6, 56

Wall-eyed Herring, 34

Warmouth 70

War Eagle Lake, Minn., ... 74
Watersmeet, Mich., .... 74, 75

Water Glass, 214

Wall Key, 238

Water Key, 238

"Wrack "'Yarn, 232

Welshman, 47

West Palm Beach, .... 57, 200

Weakfish, 117

West Summerland Keys and Chan-
nel 234

West Coast, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 31, 32, 82, 233
Webster's Dictionary, .... 13

Whitewater Bay, 8

Whip Tailed Ray, 26

PAGE.

Whitefish, 37

White Mullet, 43

White Perch 97

White Grunt, 105

Windy Key, 229

Whiting, 122, 123, 144

Whiting, Surf, 123

Windy Island Channel, . . . 229

Whiting, Northern 122

Whiting, Carolina, 122

Whiting, Silver, 123

Whiting, Sand, 122

Winter Flounder, 147

Whiting, Key, 238

Window Pane, 147

White Cloth as Bait, .... 159

White Cotton Line, 162

White Bear Lake, Minn., . . 73, 74

White Phantom Minnows, . . . 158

Wilcocks, J. C, 13

Wolf River, 8

Worm Eel, 30

Wood, W. H., 32

Worth Inlet, Lake, . . . 201, 203

Worth Canal, Lake, 200

Worth P. O., Lake 202

Worms (bait) 72

Yachts, 247

Yellowtails, . . 10, 94^, 95, 96, 97

Yellow-tail Runner, ...".. 62

Yellow Mackerel, 63

Yellow Jack, 68, 158

Yellow-finned Grouper, .... 78

Yellow Grunt, 100

Yellow Goatfish, 129

Yellowstone Lake, 59

Yellowstone Park, 59

Zellers, Capt. John, 7, 8

Zimmerman, John B., . . . . 232

ADDITIONAL INDEX.

Atlantic City 246

Addenda, 253-278

American Banks, Key West, . . 243

Adirondacks, 246

Albula Vulpes, Discussion, 249, 250,

253-278
Aquariums, Various, .... 243

Bears Cut, Biscayne Bay,

251

Biscayne Bav, 249, 252, 255, 255,

270, 273, 274, 275, 277, 277, 278
Big-eyed Herring, . . . 249, 250

Brice, John J 278

Brighton England, Aquarium, . 243
Billingsgate Fish Market, . . . 243

British America, 245

Brickie, Win., Miami, Fla., . . 250
Bonefish, 248-252

268

INDEX.

PAGE.

Bonefish Discussion, 248-252, 253-278

Brochet de Mer, 253

Bluefish Channel, Key West, . . 243
Bulletin 47, U. S. Nat. Museum, 249
Bulletin 16, U. S. Nat. Museum, 249

Crawfish Channel, Key West,
Crawford Bar, Key West, .
Centropomus Undecimalis,
Cocoa Plum Point, Biscayne Bay,
Cocoanut Grove, Biscayne Bay, .
Cow Pen Bay of Florida, .
Cuba,

243
243
253
251
251
245
243

Evermann, Barton, Warren, 266, 278
Evermann & Kendall, 250, 266, 277,

277, 278
Elops Saurus Discussion, 248-252,

253-278

Fish Markets, Various, . . . 243
Florida Fish Laws, . . 186, 190, 246
Fishes of North America, W. C.

Harris, 270-274

Florida East Coast Railway Co., 247
Florida East Coast Hotel Co., . 247
Fort Taylor, Key West, ... 243

Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada, . 245
Good, G. Browne, . . 249, 263, 277
Giinther, A. C. L., . . . 256, 276

Harris, Wm. C, . . 270-275, 278

Hallock, Charles, 248

Herring Family, 256

Head Channel, Key West, . . 243
Henshall, J. A., . . . . 248, 263
Hotel and Boarding House

List, 239-241

Jordan & Evermann, 250, 255, 259,

261, 276

Jordan & Gilbert, 249, 254, 255,

256, 276

Key West, Florida, 251

Kiffe & Co., H. H., . . 168, 169, 247

Ladyfish Discussion, 248-252, 253-278
Lake Saint John, Quebec, . . . 245

Maine Fish Laws, 246

McFerran, J. B., . . . . 249-252
McCormick, W. F., Collection, . 265
Matthews- Northrup Works, . . 247
Mattacombe Keys, . . 229, 230, 251
Milam & Son, B. C, . . 170,247
Map of Florida, 271

Naples Aquarium, 243

I Nantucket, 246

New River, 245

New York Aquarium, .... 243

Old Orchard, Maine, .... 246
Ouananische, ..... 245, 245

Pacific Coast, 245

Pebble Channel, Key West, . . 243
Peacock, Mr., Cocoanut Grove, . 251
Pearl Channel, Key West, . . . 243
Porto Rico, Fish and Fisheries, 266, 278
Plum Point, Biscayne Bay, . . 251

Rangely Lakes, Maine, .... 246
Resume of Bonefish, etc., Discus-
sion, 276-278

Robalo, 253

Rovalia, 253

St. Lawrence River, 245

Saguenay River, 245

Small Fleet Harbor, Key West, . 243

Sergeant-fish, 253

Smith, Hugh M., 249, 265, 266,

276, 277

Target Banks, Key West,

243

United States Fish Commission, 243,

249, 250
United States Fish Commission

Exhibits, Various, .... 243

Victoria, British Columbia, . . 245

Vom Hofe, Edward, 163-167, 171, 172,

174, 175, 247

Vom Hofe, Julius, . . . 170, 247

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