THE TARPON 123 



a jump and every jump is a crisis in the struggle, for when 

 the tarpon is in the air it shakes itself convulsively and it is 

 then that it most frequently breaks loose. It will sometimes 

 jump ten or twelve times ; but, on the other hand, it may not 

 leave the water at all. If you can hold fast for three or four 

 jumps very likely the fish is yours, unless it is lost at the boat 

 or taken by a shark. If the fish draws too liberally upon your 

 line the boat should follow and the line should be retrieved 

 by pumping or reeling as soon as that is possible. 



As my guide's boat sits rather low in the water, it is my 

 practice, when the fish is taking line, to hold the tip of the 

 rod as far down as possible so that when the fish jumps at 

 the end of the run, it must overcome the resistance of the 

 line in the water which tests show is considerable. This tends 

 to keep a steady strain on the fish. 



An attempt should be made to keep the fish reasonably near 

 but not too close to the boat and it should not be worked up 

 on a short line until it is weak and ready to give up the fight. 

 It is awkward to have the fish run under the boat, especially 

 when it is fresh and full of fight. When this occurs be quick 

 to insert the point of the rod in the water aft the stern so 

 that the line will not get entangled in the wheel. Then fish 

 from the other side. 



There are two critical phases of the struggle, one when the 

 fish is struck and jumps, and the other just before it is re- 

 leased. But the latter phase need occasion no particular 

 anxiety if the angler will take the time to play the fish out 

 before working it up to the boat. If the fish is brought up pre- 

 maturely it weaves, darts, and turns over. It may add to the 

 angler's perplexities by running under the boat. Many a 

 tarpon has been lost by these maneuvers. John Silver in 

 Treasure Island ascribed all the pirates misfortunes to 

 "Hurry, Hurry" and so it is in tarpon angling. 



Let us assume that the angler has succeeded in bringing 

 the fish up to the boat. It will probably attempt to stage a 



