The Tarpon 255 
length was only six feet eight inches, but it was 
built more like a jewfish than a tarpon [that is, 
very deep]. It showed its head above water 
but twice.” Dr. Howe played this record fish 
from eight in the morning until half-past eleven, 
or three hours and a half, before it was brought 
to gaff. 
The Texas tarpon, like other fishes, varies 
much, some medium-sized fishes making a fight 
that involves the angler in a long and arduous 
contest. One, despite his efforts, took Mr. Cotter 
of Tarpon down the Gulf coast through the 
breakers for several miles. Others are brought 
to gaff in from fifteen to twenty-five minutes, and 
if the shark was not a factor to be considered, a 
number fifteen or eighteen cuttyhunk line would 
be admirably adapted to the sport; but when a 
shark appears as a contestant, demanding its 
pound of flesh, sometimes the entire spoils, it is 
necessary to force the fighting, which can be done 
with a number twenty-one cuttyhunk line and a 
short rod. 
The tarpon angler will be puzzled by the differ- 
ent weights of fish of nearly the same length. I 
brought to gaff a tarpon which I estimated was 
six feet in length, yet it was long and slender, and 
