160 THE TARPON 



struggle. The gulf shark measured 13' ir' but it tired after it 

 had pulled the heavy power boat for thirty or forty minutes. 

 I got nothing the next trip ; but I am satisfied this method will 

 attract a shark provided one is close enough to pick up the 

 scent of the blood. It is easily struck because the fish sus- 

 pended under the boat causes it to come up very close. It is 

 exciting work and fine sport. 



When a shark attacks a tarpon, the latter seems to run to- 

 wards the tail of the shark. A shark is a fast swimmer but it 

 is slow to stop or turn, which probably accounts for the tar- 

 pon's tactics. The hammerhead is very fast and quicker to 

 turn than the others because it has a bow rudder on its head. 

 Moreover, it has a very keen sense of smell. 



The angler who devotes some of his spare time to the cap- 

 ture of sharks is a public benefactor and deserves well of his 

 fellow men. 



