164 THE TARPON 



lieve that the fish feeds more often near the surface, or near 

 the 36 foot depth. I am convinced that the angler who fishes 

 at the shallower depths will, over a long period get many more 

 strikes than the one who fishes bottom. Yet, there are condi- 

 tions of weather and water, when the deeper levels are more 

 productive for the tarpon will feed where the food it is taking 

 is most plentiful. This governs the depth at which the fish 

 are found, and varies quite considerably with the swiftness of 

 the tide and the conformation of the bottom. As to the fish 

 themselves, I can hardly regard them as bottom feeders when 

 the protruding lower jaw is studied. Nature is not given to 

 making mistakes in her children, and all fish that take their 

 food from the bottom either possess the sucker or drum form 

 of mouth, with the lower jaw rather receding, while the tar- 

 pon's mouth is peculiarly adapted to feeding from below. 



The greater part of the time I fish at the 35 to 40 feet depths, 

 but occasionally better results are obtained at lower levels. 

 For a portion of the time I have had better success by fishing 

 the bottom but this quite rarely occurs. Under some condi- 

 tions, 20 to 25 feet will get a greater number of strikes. 



It is much more difiicult to set a hook at the shallower levels, 

 as the fish jumps immediately on feeling the strike. It is quite 

 possible for the fish to drive the hook well in the first time the 

 mouth is closed, but the longer it struggles under water before 

 the first jump, the greater will be the chance that it will become 

 well hooked. 



Striking the Fish 



This brings me to a consideration of the strike. Many anglers 

 strike again and again, with all the force the rod will stand un- 

 til the fish becomes frightened and jumps. One following this 

 plan hooks more fish by fishing at the greatest possible depth 

 as the fish will not come up for the jump so quickly as it will 

 from the shallower depths. However, fewer fish are hung at 

 the shallower depths by this method, and at very shallow 



