THETARPON 17 



ture ; but it is indisputable that it has a range over 80 

 degrees of latitude. 



Its breeding habits are unknown and so far no one 

 has reported that he has seen the spawn of this fish. 

 The facts which have been collated bearing upon its 

 spawning will be here set forth. Some fish can be found 

 at any time along the West Coast of Florida, but com- 

 paratively few large fish winter as far north as Char- 

 lotte Harbor. According to Dr. Holder there seems to 

 be two streams of migration from Mexico. * ' One moves 

 along the Gulf Coast from Mexico to Louisiana; and 

 the other possibly passing up the Windward Islands so 

 reaching Key West or vicinity following up the Keys 

 to the Cape, some following the East and others the 

 West Coast. I infer this from the fact that if the vast 

 schools moved north in the center of the Gulf they 

 would have been noticed at the Tortugas group, where, 

 as stated, the fish are rare. ' ' 



They begin to show along the West Coast of Florida 

 in February, and from then on their numbers steadily 

 increase up to July. They do not take the bait readily 

 till April or May, or later, if the Spring be cool. The 

 fishing here is at its best in June, July and August. 

 Tarpon have been caught at Boca Grande in December 

 and January and a few are found off the West Coast 

 the year around. They ascend Floridian rivers for a 

 considerable distance. On the East Coast of Florida 

 they also can be caught at any season, but they are 

 never so plenty as on the other coast. It feeds upon 

 mullet, sardines, shrimp, needlefish, crabs and such like 

 prey. 



