Giant Fish of Florida 
far more certainty than by day, particularly when the moon is 
shining. There is an element of danger about this night- 
fishing, and more than one nervous system has been shattered 
by a porpoise jumping into a boat ; indeed, Mr. Otis Mygatt, 
one of the most celebrated of tarpon-fishermen, suffered 
severely from this startling intrusion. 
It is impossible to know how far one is drifting towards 
the open sea, and on all sides are heard the plunges of 
mighty fish, which are far more likely to land in the boat 
than during the day. A great tarpon may seize the bait and 
get round behind the angler, to his utter confusion. Even 
if the shore is reached in time, there is considerable difficulty 
and excitement in landing a tarpon on a dark night. Towards 
the end of May those who are not strong enough to land 
their tarpon without delay lose them to the sharks. As many 
as five of these monsters will attack a hooked tarpon at 
once, and on one occasion I remember four of them 
while thus engaged attacking a fifth, and in a few moments 
not ashred of that fifth shark remained. The angler recovered 
only the head of the tarpon. It is remarkable, seeing the 
position of the shark’s mouth, what rapid bites he can take ata 
struggling tarpon, just as we should take the first bite of asand- 
wich. It is no bad plan to carry a rifle in the boat so late in 
the season. It will often keep off sharks and save a good fish. 
A few words must now be said as to the means of 
reaching Boca Grand Pass, the most fashionable tarpon 
26 
