Giant Fish of Florida 
ground of to-day, and as to the accommodation to be had 
there. There seems to be a mistaken idea that tarpon fishing 
is an inordinately costly recreation ; but this cannot be upheld 
when it is remembered that the total expenses on the spot 
amount to little more than thirty shillings a day, including 
hotel, board and lodging, guide, boat, bait, and guide’s 
keep, while the return fare, with forty hours train and four 
hours boat after reaching New York, is not more than £32 
out and home. 
The Boca Grand Pass was not always the headquarters of 
tarpon trolling, for this modern method of fishing was 
first successfully practised some few years ago in the Captiva 
Pass. There is also good tarpon fishing in Aransas Pass, 
Mexico, where living and other expenses are much less 
than at Boca Grand, but the fish run smaller. In 1901 
Hughes’ Floating Hotel was the only accommodation 
available, with the exception of hired yachts, and, though 
most comfortable in every way, had certain disadvantages 
arising out of the spot in which it was moored. There 
was also, however, to be shortly completed on Museppa 
Island, about three miles from Boca Grand Pass, a_ well- 
appointed hotel, with every modern comfort, including a 
steamer and launches to convey fishers to and from the 
Pass. Guides, bait, a photographing room, and shark-proof 
bathing establishment were among the attractions to be antici- 
pated at this hotel for the next fishing season. 
29 
