FLORIDA FISHING

[Music] [Music] Hallelujah. [Music] Hallelujah. [Music] [Music] Miami famous rendevu for sportsmen. Its rod and reel club is headquarters for expert fishermen as well as beginners. But let's get started. Those long poles on each side of the boat are called outriggers and are used in sail fishing as you will see. Right now, we will head for the shallow tidal flats around the little islands of the Florida Keys, just a few miles south of Miami, to try and get a bone fish. No, that's not a bone fish, son. Just a whip ray. And not exactly the sort of fisherman's trophy one would come to Florida to catch. Even the sharks don't like them. Many authorities claim that the bone fish is the shiest, fastest, and gameest fish that swim. In any case, he's no cinch to catch. For bait, we'll use shrimp, although crabs or conch are okay, and some folks even use feathered lures and floods. For tackle, a 10 or 20 reel, 200 yd of six thread line, 40 hook, 4ft nylon leader, and a 6'6 rod is the expert's advice, although a casting rod will do in a pinch. A thumb stall is also recommended. And now, watch out. Suddenly comes a slightly quick cut. And if you hooked your fish, you're in for some of the fastest and most exciting moments of your angling career. The line seems to fly out. Sometimes as much as 150 yards is taken before he stops. He may rush back straight toward you, in which case you just pray, as a slack line will probably cost you your fish. You have to be quick, fast, and careful. It seems he will never quit, but when he's finally brought into the boat, you certainly have a right to feel pleased with yourself. [Music] He may not win a beauty contest, but just catch one sometime and you'll never forget it. The world's record, incidentally, is said to be 13 and 3/4 lb, but any 9 or 10 lb fish is a real prize. [Music] And now for bigger game. Miami's Pier 5 is the gateway to the fabulous Gulf Stream. [Music] The fascination of fishing the edge of the Gulf Stream is that you're apt to catch maron, sailfish, tuna, dolphin, barracuda, or any one of several other varieties of fighting gamestream. Small fish such as mullet cut into strips is the most popular bait and most anything will take it. Sometimes if you're mighty lucky, your bait is hardly out before something strikes. And if it's a sailfish, the fun begins. The chances are your reel will be filled with 24 to 39 thread line and your rod will be capable of plenty of stress and strain. But even so, you've got to watch out, particularly when it jumps or you lose your fish. [Music] Jumping fish will tire more quickly given their head. If he wants to go, let him go. Just make it hard for him. And always remember to keep a taut line if possible. When he starts to tire and give up, that's the time to go to work on him. [Music] Real backbreaking work this, but the funny part is that the harder you have to work, the more you enjoy it. [Music] And then comes those last few most exciting moments. Will he really be boated? Will he make another dash and get away? What a relief when it's all over and suddenly you find you're pretty darn tired. [Music] The Gulf Stream is also home to some creatures that would not make pretty wall decorations. For example, this giant devil fish or manta ray with a spread of at least 10 ft from tip to tip of its fishy wings. Let's just look and let him go about his business. There's not much time for sightseeing on the Gulf Stream. Something's always happening. This time it's a barracuda, the tiger of the sea. Many well-informed persons consider these cannibalistic sea pike, which can run over a 100 lb. More dangerous than sharks. They have jaws like a mastiff, teeth like razors, and will attack anything. or it may be a dolphin, a sporty fighter, and when first taken, one of the most beautifully colored fish in these waters. A nice thing about Gulf Stream fishing is that you generally have plenty of company, and there's always enough fish for all. If you get tired and just want to relax in the sunshine, you can watch someone else get all excited and boost his blood pressure. [Music] [Music] [Music] Many sportsmen fish just for the fun of it and release most of the fish they catch. A really big one, of course, is kept for the record. [Music] Now we'll see how an expert does it. Here's Dave Newell, well-known sporting writer and authority on how to handle a rod and reel with a big sailfish on the other end of his line. [Music] If you don't think that line is really running out, just press your bare thumb to it and see what a burn you'll get. And notice how Dave uses his whole body in pumping his fish, which is much less tiring than just using your arms. [Music] up he goes again. The drag on your reel, which is usually set to about 15 lbs, will take care of any sudden rushes. And just watch that fish perform. An expert can tell by the feel of the line just about how nearly played out the fish is. Although sometimes they fool even the experts. [Music] [Music] When Dave starts to really go to work on him, you can safely bet the fight is almost over. And what a grand feeling it is when you bring that spectacular streamlined fighter of the Gulf Stream alongside your boat. Perhaps this one will be big enough to rate one of the sailfish buttons that are given to lucky fishermen who boat the big fish. [Music] Experiences such as these lived over and over again make life more pleasant and fishing one of its most fascinating sports. [Music]