The Tarpon 255 



length was only six feet eight inches, but it was 

 built more like a jewfish than a tarpon [that is, 

 very deep]. It showed its head above water 

 but twice." Dr. Howe played this record fish 

 from eight in the morning until half-past eleven, 

 or three hours and a half, before it was brought 

 to gaff. 



The Texas tarpon, like other fishes, varies 

 much, some medium-sized fishes making a fight 

 that involves the angler in a long and arduous 

 contest. One, despite his efforts, took Mr. Cotter 

 of Tarpon down the Gulf coast through the 

 breakers for several miles. Others are brought 

 to gaff in from fifteen to twenty-five minutes, and 

 if the shark was not a factor to be considered, a 

 number fifteen or eighteen cuttyhunk line would 

 be admirably adapted to the sport ; but when a 

 shark appears as a contestant, demanding its 

 pound of flesh, sometimes the entire spoils, it is 

 necessary to force the fighting, which can be done 

 with a number twenty-one cuttyhunk line and a 

 short rod. 



The tarpon angler will be puzzled by the differ- 

 ent weights of fish of nearly the same length. I 

 brought to gaff a tarpon which I estimated was 

 six feet in length, yet it was long and slender, and 



