Giant Fish of Florida 



ground of to-day, and as to the accommodation to be had 

 there. There seems to be a mistaken idea that tarpon fishing 

 is an inordinately costly recreation ; but this cannot be upheld 

 when it is remembered that the total expenses on the spot 

 amount to little more than thirty shillings a day, including 

 hotel, board and lodging, guide, boat, bait, and guide's 

 keep, while the return fare, with forty hours train and four 

 hours boat after reaching New York, is not more than 32 

 out and home. 



The Boca Grand Pass was not always the headquarters of 

 tarpon trolling, for this modern method of fishing was 

 first successfully practised some few years ago in the Captiva 

 Pass. There is also good tarpon fishing in Aransas Pass, 

 Mexico, where living and other expenses are much less 

 than at Boca Grand, but the fish run smaller. In 1901 

 Hughes' Floating Hotel was the only accommodation 

 available, with the exception of hired yachts, and, though 

 most comfortable in every way, had certain disadvantages 

 arising out of the spot in which it was moored. There 

 was also, however, to be shortly completed on Museppa 

 Island, about three miles from Boca Grand Pass, a well- 

 appointed hotel, with every modern comfort, including a 

 steamer and launches to convey fishers to and from the 

 Pass. Guides, bait, a photographing room, and shark-proof 

 bathing establishment were among the attractions to be antici- 

 pated at this hotel for the next fishing season. 



29 



