Giant Fish of Florida 
first the leads, then the bait, and finally the hook, all in about 
a second of time. This performance, however disturbing to 
the novice, barely attracts the notice of the old hand, for he 
is well accustomed to such treatment, and does not regard his 
hook as fast until the fish has made its second jump in vain. 
Still, the sight of the fish acts like a magnet on the other boats, 
which are now being rowed towards the favoured spot with all 
the strength of their guides, who well know that, like most of 
the herring tribe, tarpon feed in shoals. 
And now I see that the lady-angler who yesterday landed 
four tarpon, is fast into another. Up it comes and dashes 
straight into old ‘Orange Blossom’s”’ boat, all but knocking 
the old man overboard, and wetting him through and leaving 
abundance of slime and scales on his coat ; then, with a couple 
of kicks that break an oar and knock a crack in the boat, the 
tarpon flounders over the side. She must have lost it! No; 
it is still on, and there is no doubt about its being well hooked. 
The guide is now making frantic efforts to get his boat out of 
the press and towards the shore. 
Meanwhile there have been two other strikes ; one of the 
fish got away at the first jump, the other is playing the deuce 
all round, and now it is steering straight tor ‘‘ Dibbler’s”’ boat. 
“Reel up!” yells the guide, but that is more than “ Dibbler ”’ 
can do, for is he not fast in his customary jewfish ? About three 
of these great fish “ Dibbler” hooks every day, and always in 
the same spot, losing them all with unfailing regularity through 
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