THE TARPON 145 



hunting and fitting your methods to the movements of the fish 

 instead of waiting for them to locate your bait. It interests 

 the guide for it makes demands on his skill as well as on that 

 of the angler. It is practiced amid pleasant surroundings and 

 in the daytime. AMiile it is not as productive of results as 

 Pass fishing it is more interesting and more sportsmanlike. 

 This method, however, has one objection. Only a very few 

 anglers can practice it at the same time for the schools are 

 not numerous and are soon dispersed by over-fishing. 



One day in June, 1934, I jumped many fish and caught only 

 five, for the fish seemed to strike at the bait in a playful mood. 

 If one wishes to run up his score, fish at night in the Passes. 

 But personally, I prefer to lose fish by the practice of this 

 method rather than to fare better in the Passes. With a skillful 

 guide and fairly light tackle, you will enjoy a day's sport 

 unexcelled in any other form of angling. 



CONCLUSION. 



When captured upon reasonably light tackle the tarpon is 

 the peer of any fish that swims. It can always be found in its 

 chosen haunts at its proper season and in this respect far 

 excels the tuna or sail fish as a game fish, for the latter are 

 uncertain in their whereabouts. It is a sturdy fighter and the 

 words of Job find full application : 



"When he raiseth himself up the mighty are afraid. He 

 maketh the deep to boil like a pot. ' ' 



One may go to any good place like Boca Grande in May, 

 June or July and be sure of plenty of fish. The sport has its 

 ever-to-be-remembered incidental enjoyments. The changing 

 colors of the sea and sky and the movement of the water ; the 

 presence and actions of myriads of birds ; the marine life and 

 the serene aspects of nature — all these gladden the heart of 

 the fisherman and make an impression as deep as the capture 

 of the fish. 



As you journey northward your thoughts will revert to the 

 incredulous friends who await your return, and you must con- 



