86 THETARPON 



out with even approximate accuracy in the cases of 

 some very heavy fish. There is either something the 

 matter with the scales or the measurements of record 

 fish, or the formula, as the reader will note from the 

 records of such fish set forth elsewhere in this book. 

 When a fish is caught one day and weighed the next, it 

 is a mooted point among anglers and guides as to the 

 loss of weight through evaporation. Sometimes one 

 hears extravagant claims made in this regard. I have 

 conducted a series of tests to ascertain the amount of 

 this loss. The result seems to be that during hot sun- 

 shiny weather, common on the West Coast of Florida 

 in June, a fish caught about noon and weighed and then 

 re-weighed the next morning will suffer a shrinkage in 

 weight of approximately 4% to 6%. I am of the opin- 

 ion that this is the limit of the shrinkage during the 

 first twelve hours after capture. 



The average tarpon caught will weigh about eighty 

 pounds. Unless it is the first fish one has caught there 

 is no excuse for gaffing it merely to get its picture. 

 Only those of exceptionable size intended for mounting 

 should be killed; all others should be released after 

 their length has been estimated and their weight thus 

 roughly determined. 



When captured upon reasonably light tackle the tar- 

 pon is the peer of any fish that swims. It can always 

 be found in its chosen haunts at its proper season and 

 in this respect far excels the tuna as a game fish, for 

 the latter is uncertain in its whereabouts. It is a 

 sturdy fighter and the words of Job find full applica- 

 tion: 



