A BOOK OF FISHING STORIES 



great fish may be rolling and bubbling all round the boat 

 though not a fish will look at the bait. I remember once 

 pursuing a school of tarpon for two miles, getting in front 

 of them and pulling in the same direction ; yet, although the 

 lead sinkers were continually passing over their backs, not one 

 of them took the slightest notice of the dainty strip of mullet 

 that hung in such close proximity to those cavernous mouths. 



A good deal of the sportsman's success or failure depends 

 on the efficiency of his guide, and the less the visitor knows 

 of tarpon fishing himself, the more necessary does it become 

 that his guide should be able to make up for his ignorance. 

 There was always a good supply of guides, both white and 

 coloured, at Boca Grande, and some of them were all that 

 could be desired. My own man, Santa Armida, was young, 

 experienced, and keen, and a novice could not have fallen into 

 better hands. He knew the habits of the tarpon, when and 

 where to fish for it, the strength of the tides, and the most 

 artistic manner of cutting each mullet into the regulation six 

 strips, and he always had his tackle and bait in readiness when 

 required. The last condition is more assured to those who 

 stay at Useppa Inn, as the guides have ample time to make 

 ready while the launch is towing the skiffs down to the Pass. 



During my first day in Boca Grande, kingfish were much 

 in evidence, and took the bait greedily. The kingfish is a 

 violent cousin of the mackerel, and the experience of catching 

 several weighing up to 30 lb. each is no bad introduction to 

 the sterner business of playing tarpon. The tarpon itself is 

 in a class apart. The first makes your arm and back ache, 



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