THE TARPON 35 



1911 718 66% on light tackle 



1912 530 64% " " 



1913 960 78% " " 



The falling off between 1907 and 1908 was 

 partly owing to the introduction of light tackle 

 but also to the extension of the jetties which 

 made the channel dangerous and rough. 



In the 90's the tarpon that were weighed 

 would average about 100 pounds but of late 

 years the average has fallen to about 80 pounds. 

 This would lead one to believe that the number 

 of heavy fish is decreasing. 



I believe that the tarpon of over 150 pounds 

 in weight are of great age and that they grow 

 very slowly. I judge this from the fact that 

 they are dainty feeders, for there is very little 

 undigested food found in them when examined. 



Several thousand fish have been destroyed 

 yearly for over twenty-five years and although 

 it is now the custom to liberate most of the 

 hooked fish many of these tired tarpon become 

 the victims of piratical sharks and those that 

 are taken in nets are usually destroyed by the 

 fishermen owing to the damage they do to the 

 nets. 



