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The Question: Do women have qualities that make them the equal of men in big-game fishing? (Asked at the Sailfish Club, Palm Beach.)
JAMES B. DWYER
Manager
Sailfish Club
I'd never say that the average fisherwoman is the equal of the average fisherman. The women themselves make no such claim. But if a woman has fortitude and great interest, she can compete on equal terms in big-game fishing. No one is more determined than a tenacious woman.
MRS. JAMES W. SCOTTI
Palm Beach
Yes. True, men are stronger, but I don't think that strength is the prime factor in big-game fishing. Patience, touch, desire and experience are factors. Furthermore, men have no monopoly on luck. Even the greatest fishermen will admit that luck plays the major role in big-game fishing.
CHARLIE CONEY
West Palm Beach
Captain of the Pompano
The equal of men! Are you crazy? I think anglerettes are much better. In fact, I'm sure of it. I've taken lots of men and women fishing in my boat. The women usually end up with the biggest and best fish. It's happened too many times for me to be mistaken.
HARRY HAAKONSEN
Palm Beach
Captain of the Vael
No, not for the really big fish. They don't have the necessary strength. You must be strong to handle the biggest fish. For smaller fish like the sails, good, experienced women are the equal of the average male. But they can't come up to the top men, even with smaller fish.
MRS. GUSTAV (BOOTS) SCHIRMER
Greenwich, Conn.
No. When fishing for smaller fish like sailfish along the shoreline, some women can hold their own with men, if they don't get seasick. But big-game fishing is too hard and exacting on women. If they were to fish with men, they'd be constantly in the way.
MRS. BAYARD STOCKTON III
Princeton, N.J.
No. Women can hook big fish as well as the men, but they can't bring them in. Struggling on a line for hours is a man's work. However, in the International Women's Fishing Tournament, I hooked five sailfish the first day. I think I could vie with men in this type of fishing.
MRS. WALTER S. GUBELMANN
Palm Beach
Some women, given equal opportunities at big-game fishing, can, and often do, rival men. Kim Wiss holds the women's record for black marlin with a 1,525-pound catch, only 35 pounds less than the world's record held by a man. Me? I'm glad when I can land an eight-pound bonefish.
MRS. THOMAS T. SHERWOOD
Lantana, Fla.
Fishing tournament director
Angling is a question of timing, skill and luck. However, for the really big ones—blue marlin, tuna, etc.—endurance is involved. Women can do as well except when brute strength is needed. Now that our association is established, we hope to prove it in the near future.
EUGENIA MARRON
Brielle, N.J.
Internationally famous angler
Yes. Doctors realize women have great endurance and stamina, of first importance in big-game fishing. Most women also possess great sensitivity and a fine sense of rhythm and balance. This offsets brawn. But it's practice that makes perfect. Here the men have it on us 10 to one.
MRS. CLARENCE H. McKEEN
St. Augustine, Fla.
Fishing tournament official
No, not for real big-game fishing, but only because women don't have the necessary endurance and strength. But in other types of fishing (sails and smaller), women could match the men in any tournament. I think the men bar them from their tournaments because women may win.
MRS. RICHARD FORMAN
Coconut Grove, Fla.
No. Not most women. They are like me. I was tickled pink when I caught a sailfish on a nine-thread line and won a prize. However, the woman who fishes every day, has strength and stamina, and doesn't stay up late at cocktail parties, is often the equal of men. Poor girl!
MAURICE B. FRANK
Hotel owner, Palm Beach
Yes. Watch women fish and they'll soon convince you. Their excellent coordination compensates, in some measure, for the lack of physical strength. The split-second timing in handling a big fish is more important than strength. If you haven't got it you lose the fish.
JIMMY LYNCH
Palm Beach, President, The Plug of the Month Club
In the technique of fishing, yes. A woman's handling and manipulation of tackle can be equal to that of a man's. And I believe they have a better touch. The only thing a woman lacks is physical strength. When she brings in a tuna, she's through for the day. The men go on.
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