116 THE TARPON 



line overboard the hook or leader may become entangled with 

 the sinker or the line. When the line is put down while the 

 boat is at rest be sure to avoid entangling the leader by 

 paying out the line slowly, bearing in mind that one might 

 as well be on shore gathering shells as fishing with the tackle 

 in a snarled condition. Therefore, before the boat is stopped 

 and permitted to drift in the tideway the hook should be 

 baited and the line slowly paid out so as to straighten out the 

 leader. 



Like care should be exercised when the bait is lowered so 

 it may be free from grass or other obstructions. When grass 

 is present, the angler should refrain from putting it over- 

 board till the boat slows down so that the bait will not be 

 dragged through the water at or near the surface ; and he 

 must be sure that it is not let down until the bait and leader 

 are free from obstruction. Tarpon will not strike a bait which 

 is fouled by weeds or grass. When the leader is entangled, 

 it is apt to cut the line or break when the fish strikes. Prob- 

 ably many broken leaders and parted lines are due to the 

 fact that the tackle is snarled when the fish strikes. 



You will probably be fishing in close proximity to other 

 boats. Watch the methods they employ and try to ascertain 

 how deep they are fishing in the event they strike a fish as 

 well as- the bait used and the precise location of the fish when 

 it took the bait. 



Your guide will be quick to adopt your methods to those 

 employed by successful anglers in your vicinity. 



Anglers strive to conceal the methods which have brought 

 them success and the guides promote this unsportsmanlike 

 attitude. But that is nothing new. I quote from Walton's 

 much loved "Compleat Angler" : 



"And now I shall tell you that which may be called a 

 secret. I have been a-fishing with old Oliver Henly, now 

 with God, a noted fisher for Trout and Salmon; and 



