THETARPON 79 



fore, when the boat is changing position it is well to 

 have a bucket of water near the angler in which the 

 crab may be placed while upon the hook. This will 

 keep it in good condition for an indefinite period. 



In this fishing one is apt to hook many other species 

 of fish and sea bass, groupers, sharks, rays and other 

 kinds take the same bait the tarpon uses. Sometimes 

 one strikes a turtle. The only safe rule to follow is to 

 strike at anything on the theory that it is a tarpon and 

 to assume you are fast to that fish until this is clearly 

 disproved. 



The late Dr. Charles F. Holder was the dean of 

 American Anglers and he spent his life in the study 

 and pursuit of fish of all description. I refer the 

 reader to the chapter from his book "Big Game at 

 Sea," entitled "The taking of big game fishes," which 

 embodies his long experience and which gives many 

 valuable hints. 



I have not had sufficient experience in the use of 

 very light tackle to lay down any hard-and-fast rules 

 governing this fishing, but the following hints may be 

 of some value to the novice. 



The hook used with both light and 3-6 tackle should 

 be the same size as that used in the heavy tackle fish- 

 ing. One cannot expect to strike the fish hard enough 

 with a light rod to drive the hook through the heavy 

 jaw of the fish. Mr. B. Kemp Littlepage, in the article 

 I have referred to, has observed that the fish hooks 

 itself in striking the bait, and the observation of many 

 anglers bear him out. Hence, the ordinary sized hook 

 is not too large. The same leader should be used but 



