Tbe Tarpon 235 



developed, well schooled in all the requisites, and 

 the sport can be fully enjoyed. Tarpon fishing 

 with the rod is like tuna fishing a modern 

 sport and was brought into public notice by 

 Mr. W. H. Wood, of New York, the first tarpon 

 having been taken in this way by Mr. S. Jones 

 of Philadelphia at Indian River Inlet. This his- 

 toric tarpon weighed about one hundred and 

 thirty pounds and was six feet in length, and 

 fought the angler over two hours before it was 

 brought to gaff. The fortunate boatman who 

 shared the reflected honor was John Weier of 

 New Smyrna. I well recall the interest aroused 

 among anglers when it was announced that an 

 angler wagered the expenses of any one to Flor- 

 ida who would take a tarpon with rod, reel, and 

 light line. This was rash, as the fish had already 

 been taken by Mr. Jones, but it was the intro- 

 duction of this remarkable sport. 



We will assume that the angler is at some of 

 the resorts mentioned, or at St. James City, at 

 Pine Islands, to reach which the train is taken 

 from Jacksonville to Charlotte Harbor. Once on 

 the ground, arrangements can be made to fish in 

 the vicinity or any of the localities farther south. 

 The question of tarpon tackle is important and 



