The Tarpon 257 



or up to August 8, will give the reader a fair idea 

 of the possibilities of sport in this part of Texas. 



This chapter gives experiences in fishing in 

 Florida and Texas, but possibly the would-be 

 tarpon angler and novice may desire some explicit 

 directions, which, however, are naturally influenced 

 by personal likes and dislikes. I have frequently 

 in these pages voiced the sentiment that anglers 

 obtain the fullest enjoyment in the possession of 

 their own tackle, and that it often means the cap- 

 ture of the fish goes without saying. We may 

 assume, then, that the layman has been enthused 

 to the tarpon-taking point and looks about him 

 for an outfit. Many experienced tarpon anglers 

 advise the making of tackle, that is, the snell or 

 leader, some even making rods. I note that Mr. 

 Mason made his own rod. A very successful rod 

 can be made by selecting a good bamboo pole, 

 cutting it down to seven feet, buying a reel seat 

 and German silver guides and attaching them; 

 yet I would not advise it. Good tarpon rods are 

 works of art, and they are produced by experts in 

 their line by the great tackle dealers of the country. 

 In this sport one wishes to take no chances, hence 

 I would suggest to the would-be angler to buy or 

 order from some one of the old firms a tarpon rod 



