76 THETARPON 



all its actions, and like a prudent general, frequently 

 changes its plan of attack. It fights every battle out 

 to a finish and when you feel like resting, it, too, is 

 snatching a few moments needed rest. So keep at it. 

 When a strain is put on the line the fish is apt to 

 jump and every jump draws heavily on its strength. 

 But be careful to gain a moderate strain on the line 

 when you see it coming to the surface ; for that be- 

 tokens a jump and every jump is a crisis in the struggle, 

 for when the tarpon is in the air it shakes itself con- 

 vulsively and it is then that it most frequently breaks 

 loose. It will sometimes jump ten or twelve times; 

 but, on the other hand, it may not leave the water at 

 all. If you can hold fast for three or four jumps very 

 likely the fish is yours. If the fish draws too liberally 

 upon your line the boat should follow and the line 

 should be retrieved by pumping or reeling as soon as 

 that is possible. An attempt should be made to keep 

 the fish reasonably near but not too close to the boat 

 and it should not be worked up on a short line until it 

 is weak and about ready to give up the fight. It is 

 awkward to have the fish run under the boat, especially 

 when it is fresh and full of fight. When this occurs be 

 quick to insert the point of the rod in the water aft the 

 stern so that the line will not get entangled in the wheel. 

 When a tarpon is hooked in shallow water it leaps 

 more frequently and is altogether livelier on the hook 

 than when the water is deep. The males, while shorter 

 as a rule, are more active. A female heavy with roe 

 or a very large fish is more apt to sulk and make fewer 

 jumps. The upper jaw is mobile and when the fish is 



