Big Game at Sea 



California Gulf region, 100 pounds; yellow-fin tuna, 

 and others not so well known. Then there are a num- 

 ber of fishes of large size to which the term game 

 would not be applied by some, yet, were it not for 

 prejudice, would be ranked among the hard fighters 

 of the sea. Such is the remarkable leaping shark, 

 caught among the tarpon at Aransas Pass, and which 

 is so perfect a mimic of its acrobatic neighbor that I 

 watched its leaps for some time, completely deceived. 

 Several of the sharks, as the hammer-head, are lusty 

 and game foes to the angler who desires the acme of 

 strenuous sport. Sharks may be taken with either 

 rod or handline, and what sport is to be had by a 

 single man, matched against a large shark, from the 

 beach or boat, depends upon the man. Many years 

 ago, when residing in what might be called a shark 

 country, I indulged in these contests frequently, and 

 was more than once outmatched and outfought. I 

 enjoyed the struggle, though often forced to sur- 

 render, breaking or cutting the line rather than be 

 towed into dangerous waters by a foeman so large 

 that I never even saw its outline against the blue 

 waters. 



Some of the rays are hard fighters, and the most 

 exciting game for the harpoon, which I have de- 

 scribed in a previous chapter, is the huge ray, Manta, 

 an altogether uncanny and mysterious monster, with 

 a habit of running off with small vessels. With these 

 I would class the sawfish, a vigorous contestant, in 



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