TARPON FISHING IN THE PASS 



that he was very much further from the pass than he cared 

 about, and that it would take him and his guide all their time 

 to reach the shore. Indeed, so swift was the current, and so 

 heavy the surf, that after a short time their entire efforts 

 were directed not towards making any headway against the 

 tide, but to prevent their unwieldy craft from swamping. 

 They were thus fully occupied in keeping her head to the 

 sea, and gave up all hope of getting back without help. 

 When, in fact, they realised that, in spite of all their efforts, 

 they were steadily losing ground, the only prospect before them 

 seemed that of a night at sea. Fortunately, experienced eyes 

 had already seen the inevitable result, the alarm had been 

 given, and the yacht's gig sent after them, finding them in 

 an exhausted condition, their boat half-full of water, and their 

 boots off in anticipation of the ducking which at one time 

 seemed imminent. It was with some difficulty that the two 

 boats finally made the island, since which those who had 

 profited by experience kept, after this unpleasant episode, 

 within reasonable limits as soon as the ebb tide set in. 



The third source of danger referred to above arises from the 

 jumping propensities of the tarpon and many of its neighbours 

 in Florida waters, including kingfish, whiprays, devil-fish, and, 

 in fact, most, with the exception of the jewfish. Indeed, they 

 are highly proficient in the art, and if one happens to jump on 

 the fisherman, or even into his boat, the consequences may be 

 disagreeable. It is no uncommon occurrence for a tarpon to 

 jump into a boat, and most anglers who have fished much for 

 them have generally come near receiving a flying visit from one 



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