Giant Fish of Florida 



surface. When actually rolling and playing on the waters the 

 fish are rarely caught, and where they congregate in a strong 

 tide and in shallows they are most difficult to hook not more 

 than one fish being on the average caught out of four or 

 more strikes. When a hooked tarpon does not break water, 

 a comparatively rare occurrence, he may be regarded as a 

 heavy fish. Once the life is out of the tarpon, he is of little 

 use, unless it be to furnish a trophy for exhibition to admiring 

 friends at home, who may like to see what America can raise 

 in the herring line. Yet probably this universal neglect is 

 due to the abundance of other more excellent food-fish in 

 those waters rather than to inherent unfitness, for its flesh is 

 dark, firm, and meaty. 



Not the least important factor in success is a good guide. 

 These men are quite characters in their way, and never speak 

 of their master as having caught or lost a fish : with them it is 

 always " I did this or that," and in truth their experience and 

 skill mean so very much that this egotism is not altogether 

 unpardonable. They are for the most part civil and obliging 

 e 1 ows, particularly the niggers, but there are, of course, 

 exceptions, and these the sportsman should, for the public 

 good, never hesitate to get rid of. 



At the same time a little consideration is due to the guides 

 themselves, and if they are worked all day, they should be 

 allowed to rest at night. Quite apart from their carefully 

 acquired knowledge, their duties are by no means light. 



44 



