THE TARPON 143 



I have tried various methods without conspicuous success so 

 I leave it to the reader. 



The tarpon do not appear to take the bait with much vigor 

 and are apt to let it go or to shake it loose. I have had a fish 

 bite off the tail of a fillet of mullet and jump several times 

 after it had cast it. This year (1936) a tarpon took a pin fish 

 oif my hook and then rebaited it by forcing the hook through 

 the body in a different place. Occasionally you will foul-hook 

 a tarpon and then your work is cut out for you. After the fish 

 has been struck it is played the same as in other types of fish- 

 ing although it should be handled with great care at first. A 

 tip weighing about 10 ounces will catch the most fish and a 

 long rod is better than a short one. A bait casting rod gives 

 excellent sport ; but you will not catch many fish. 



There is another method which can be employed which pro- 

 duces even better results ; and that is by casting the bait into a 

 school instead of laying it in advance of the approaching fish. 

 Many anglers are now using long natural bamboo rods which 

 they fit with windings, guides and a reel seat. They are both 

 practical and durable. A skillful and strong angler can cast 

 the bait accurately for a long distance. The resiliency of the 

 rod prevents the fish gaining slack and better results are ob- 

 tained than with the ordinary rod. 



A rather heavy bait casting rod can also be employed but 

 the natural bamboo answers every purpose and is much 

 cheaper. It may slowly supplant every other type of rod used 

 on the West Coast of Florida. This year (1936) three anglers 

 fishing from the same boat with these rods jumped fifty-five 

 fish in a single day; but they captured only five. These men 

 were experienced in tarpon fishing. Many fish are lost what- 

 ever method is followed. 



In May, 1935, the serenity of the veteran guides and anglers 

 at Boca Grande was disturbed by the advent of a high speed 

 boat holding a couple of lads from St. Petersburg, Florida, 

 who were equipped with long one-piece bamboo rods with 



