Giant Fish of Florida 
surface. When actually rolling and playing on the waters the 
fish are rarely caught, and where they congregate in a strong 
tide and in shallows they are most difficult to hook—not more 
than one fish being on the average caught out of four or 
more strikes. When a hooked tarpon does not break water, 
a comparatively rare occurrence, he may be regarded as a 
heavy fish. Once the life is out of the tarpon, he is of little 
use, unless it be to furnish a trophy for exhibition to admiring 
friends at home, who may like to see what America can raise 
in the herring line. Yet probably this universal neglect is 
due to the abundance of other more excellent food-fish in 
those waters rather than to inherent unfitness, for its flesh is 
dark, firm, and meaty. 
Not the least important factor in success is a good guide. 
These men are quite characters in their way, and never speak 
of their master as having caught or lost a fish: with them it is 
always “I did this or that,” and in truth their experience and 
skill mean so very much that this egotism is not altogether 
unpardonable. They are for the most part civil and obliging 
e lows, particularly the niggers, but there are, of course, 
exceptions, and these the sportsman should, for the public 
good, never hesitate to get rid of. 
At the same time a little consideration is due to the guides 
themselves, and if they are worked all day, they should be 
allowed to rest at night. Quite apart from their carefully 
acquired knowledge, their duties are’ by no means light. 
44 
