TARPON FISHING 



line from being ruined in short order. This 

 gave me much trouble for some time, but I 

 heard of a new improved fishing-gear, or 

 "skittering device," patented by Albert W. 

 Wilson of San Francisco, for striped-bass 

 fishing, which is in general use on the Pacific 

 coast for that purpose. This spoon I con- 

 sider the most wonderful fishing invention 

 of modern times. It "swims" erratically, 

 swerves from side to side, and yet never re- 

 volves, so that your line does not kink in 

 the least. In addition to this, it attracts all 

 kinds of sea-fish. Tarpon, kingfish, grouper, 

 and even sharks seem to take to it most 

 kindly. 



These spoons are made in different sizes 

 and are very nicely balanced, as they must 

 be, or they would trail along on the sur- 

 face of the water. The steady movement of 

 a motor-boat just suits them. 



The curse of sea-fishing is the difficulty 

 of getting fresh bait. I have been for days 

 in Florida or off the Cuban coast with no 

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