(Stereolepis gigas)
This monster of the ocean, commonly called jew-fish, seems to be in
all respects a gigantic black bass, closely resembling the
small-mouthed of the fresh waters, and no further description will be
necessary for anyone who may be fortunate enough to land one to know
to what species it belongs. In fact, he will know just what he has
hooked long before the monster shows himself on the top of the water.
This huge black sea bass seems to have a very restricted range, for it
is only known from the Coronado Islands to the Farallones. They are
very plentiful around Catalina Island, where they are usually taken
with hand lines. They can not be called a game fish, though they are
now being taken with rod and reel at Catalina and furnish a kind of
"heavy-weight" sport for those who like it. One weighing over 436
pounds has been taken on a tuna rod and twenty-one thread line. The
writer saw one several years ago that was taken on a hand line that
weighed 720 pounds and was over seven feet in length. They are fish of
great strength and will tow a boat with ease at a considerable speed.
=Tackle=--The same as for tuna, with fish bait.