CHAPTER VI. 



ANGLING ALONG THE BEACHES 



A wise man once said: "There are two periods when the 

 fishing is at its best; just before you arrive and immedi- 

 ately after you depart." 



PASS fishing' for tarpon, especially at night, is the most 

 productive in results and I have passed many happy 

 hours in its pursuit. But as time passes another method 

 makes a stronger appeal. Captiva, Cayo Costa and Gasparilla 

 Islands have an aggregate coast line on the Gulf of Mexico of 

 upwards of twenty miles and, generally speaking, the water is 

 shallow for a considerable distance from the shores. The tar- 

 pon migrate along the coast in a northerly direction, appar- 

 ently sojourning in the Passes which connect the waters of the 

 Gulf with those of Charlotte Harbor. The principal Passes are 

 Captiva and Boca Grande, where the fish linger for indeter- 

 minate periods to feed and rest. They also resort to these 

 Passes from the interior waters. As they proceed up the coast 

 they use water that is comparatively shallow, that is to say, 

 from six or eight to twenty feet in depth. Usually their course 

 is less than a mile from the shore. The schools vary in num- 

 bers. Some are small; but those containing several hundred 

 fish are common. When not disturbed they proceed at the aver- 

 age rate of from five to six miles an hour with occasional 

 pauses. It is a beautiful sight to watch a migrating school pro- 

 ceeding leisurely through a sunlit sea for they roll on the 

 surface, displaying the blue, green and silver of their lithe 

 bodies. Occasionally one will leap and throw up the water. 

 This habit enables a practiced eye to observe a school from a 

 long distance. Rough water, white caps and unfavorable light 

 conditions all cut down the visibility of the schools but a sharp- 

 eyed guide usually spots the fish a mile or so away. 



