256 Big Game Fishes 



its weight doubtless not over one hundred and 

 twenty pounds. Mr. vom Hofe's record fish was 

 but six feet eleven inches, yet weighed two hun- 

 dred and ten pounds; and Dr. Howe's tarpon, 

 which weighed two hundred and twenty-three 

 pounds, was three inches shorter than the above. 

 The truth is, that the maximum length of the tar- 

 pon is about eight feet, a long, slender fish ; but 

 mature fishes, or those which have had very favor- 

 able food conditions, fill out, become exceedingly 

 robust, thus materially adding to their weight 

 without affecting the length. 



The midsummer tarpon grounds of Aransas 

 Pass are tempered by a cool, constant breeze. 

 The health conditions are apparently perfect, 

 with a complete absence of malarial taint and 

 few, if any, mosquitoes. In fishing from eight 

 to twelve, or four hours, daily, and sometimes in 

 the afternoon, the angler may expect to take 

 from one to five tarpons a day. In a month's 

 fishing by Mr. J. T. Mason, referred to, he drew 

 but two blanks. On nine days he took four fish 

 and over. On eleven days he took either two or 

 three daily. This, with the remarkable average 

 of Mr. Wainwright, of one hundred and seventy- 

 five tarpons for but half of the season of 1902 



