Popular Salt=Water Game Fish 



tarpon rushes at the bait \\itli a tremendous blow. 

 Opinions differ much as to the wisdom of strik- 

 ing immediately; some give a little line, but I am 

 inclined to approve Mr. Holder's advice, "to sway 

 the point forward and strike at once, give a power- 

 ful backward sway, the thumb pressing hard on 

 the leather brake." The fish will at once jerk 

 away, but the angler will repeat the strike, thus 

 setting the hook in the jaw. The fish struggles 

 violently while the rod must be held up as firmly 

 as possible, "giving the butt," then slipping it 

 into the leather socket. 



In tarpon fishing there are many strikes, few 

 hooked, fewer killed. It is w^ell known what 

 tantrums the tarpon is capable of, above and be- 

 low w^ater, and it need not be repeated here; suffice 

 to say, the method of turning and bringing it 

 toward the boat, after much line has been given, 

 is to keep the fish Avell in hand, and con- 

 ^ . ,, stantly to "pump." The rushes 



must be stopped by the thumb and 

 upper-hand pressure, and the moment this is ac- 

 complished seize the reel handle and turn; then 

 drop the tip very low% and with both hands, the 

 right on the brake, lift steadily back until the rod 

 is vertical; then lower the tip suddenly, reeling 

 rapidly; each time the angler gains several feet. 

 By these short "pumps" the fish is easier brought 



„ ^^. alongside. If the fish is not desired as a 

 Qaffing ? 



trophy the gafter seizes the double portion 



of the line, inserts a short gaff just beneath the 



lower jaw, and holds the fish while it is unhooked 



41 



