THE TARPON 167 



soon after being hung. From time to time you should notify' 

 your boatman of tlie amount of line you have out. 



Landing the Fish 



When the fish is suflBciently played down for the boatman to 

 handle it, it is pumped in so he may reach the leader. The rules 

 of the fishing clubs disqualify your fish if the guide touches the 

 line above the leader. He then draws the fish in by the leader 

 until he can insert a short barbless gaff or releasing hook in 

 the fish's mouth. The hook can then be taken out and the fish 

 released uninjured. The method of releasing the fish without 

 pulling their heads up against the rail of the boat was devel- 

 oped by my guide, Rupert Guthrie, after I had protested 

 against the usual method of releasing fish. He released his fish 

 in the water and refrained from pulling their heads up against 

 the boat. Usually the fish is pulled up against the side or end 

 of the boat and held firmly until it ceases to struggle, when the 

 hook is removed and the fish released. This is done in the firm 

 belief that the angler is saving the fish by thus releasing it. As 

 a matter of fact the fish struggles and beats its head against 

 the boat until it is utterly exhausted and subdued, and bleeding 

 gills result from the pounding. Those fish rarely escape be- 

 coming food for the sharks for even a small shark can kill and 

 eat a large tarpon when found in this condition. When a fish 

 is bleeding a shark will run it down when it tastes or smells 

 blood in the water. By the method suggested, the fish is unin- 

 jured and still has sufiicient life to escape a shark, unless it is 

 struck immediately on being released and before it realizes its 

 freedom. 



There are good hotels at Boca Grande, about two miles from 

 the Pass. There is a most excellent hotel, with beautiful sur- 

 roundings and a fine cuisine at Useppa Inn, Useppa Island, 

 about six miles from the Pass, where there are usually a num- 

 ber of delightful anglers during the fishing season. 



