Big Game at Sea 



with the right hand, raises the tip of his rod, and, 

 with thumb on the brake, awaits developments. The 

 well-drilled gaffer will not attempt to gaff until the 

 fish is exactly where it should be. The man who 

 becomes rattled, hooks at the fish wildly, or strikes at 

 it with the gaff overhand, or gaffs it in any other, 

 way than described, is the man for the angler to 

 avoid, as he will either cut the line or in some way 

 jeopardize success. The best of gaffers may miss the 

 fish, especially in a seaway, and the angler must 

 always be ready for a fierce rush; the line must be 

 clear; the boatman or gaffer must, as a rule, not 

 touch it (in the Tuna Club tournaments this would 

 disqualify an angler for a record) ; and if the rush 

 does come the angler checks it as soon as possible and 

 pumps the fish to gaff again. Assuming that the 

 gaffer has secured it, he lifts its head as high as pos- 

 sible and holds it while it goes through the inevitable 

 flurry, which has on various occasions drenched me. 

 Then when opportunity offers he steps upon the gun- 

 wale, if the boat is of proper beam. The fish's head 

 is slowly raised and the boat tipped to the extent of 

 safety, when the big fish slides easily into the boat to 

 again assert itself. Every boatman should carry a 

 canvas sail or semi-bag six or eight feet square, which 

 can be hauled over the struggling fish, aiding materi- 

 ally in quieting it. Many anglers shoot tarpon at 

 the gaff, or in other fish endeavor to disable them by 

 throat-cutting, but one is governed by circumstances. 



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