120 THE TARPON 



the thumb gently pressing the reel pad. When the fish strikes, 

 the thumb is promptly and firmly applied and the rod is 

 raised to straighten out the line. The fish is permitted to run 

 as far as possible against a slight resistance applied by pres- 

 sure on the pad. When the line begins to rise, indicating that 

 the fish is about to jump, the drag is put on and the usual 

 preparation taken to meet it. Few fish handled in this fashion 

 jump near the boat. They usually make moderate runs before 

 appearing at the surface when one is prepared to meet the 

 emergency by gaining a tight line. 



The angler should be thoroughly accustomed to a correct 

 manipulation of the reel and very quick with his hand in 

 order to use this method with success, for slack line cannot be 

 gained by working the handle of the reel till the drag is ap- 

 plied. It is not a method to which beginners should resort, nor 

 is it one to follow when the fishing area is restricted by 

 the presence of other boats. One thing is certain. The fish 

 should be encouraged to run for this seems to fix the hook. 

 When the tarpon is too strongly held at the outset, or is 

 jerked, it is apt to jump at once close to the boat, which is 

 not only a source of danger but also enables it to gain slack 

 line and shake out the hook if it happens to be poorly em- 

 bedded. 



I suggest that a trial be given this method. Most women 

 anglers fish with a light rod and a comparatively light drag 

 on their reel. They unconsciously follow this method, whereas 

 men work a fish too hard at the outset and lose more. If very 

 light tackle is used, the angler will be surprised to find how 

 easy it is to strike and play the fish without losing it in the 

 initial stages of the combat. 



If you will handle the fish at first firmly, yet with little 

 force, you will find it will stay down for a time without 

 running or jumping. The boat should be started slowly and 

 the fish will shortly make a run. But the longer you can keep 

 it under the stern, the better chance you have to hold it 



