THETARPON 61 



two new lines for accident may befall one at any time. 

 Nine and six thread lines should be purchased at 

 home for the local dealers may not carry them. Indeed, 

 it is wise to procure all tackle from reliable dealers 

 prior to the trip. 



Leaders — In still fishing many anglers employ a 

 rawhide or moosehide snood or a heavy braided line, 

 or a cod line as a leader. Sharks are usually abundant 

 in this mode of fishing and as they can bite through 

 such a leader, neither time nor line are lost before 

 they regain their freedom. Then, too, most guides 

 believe that a tarpon will reject the bait, on attempting 

 to gorge it, when it feels the metallic leader. The 

 piano wire leader is generally used in other methods 

 of fishing. It consists of a single strand of piano string 

 wire straightened and tinned. The rules of the Tuna 

 Club provide : 



"Leaders must not be longer than six feet ex- 

 cept for Tuna, Swordfish or Marlin Swordfish, in 

 which case leaders must not exceed 15 feet in 

 length and may be of such material as the angler 

 may desire." 

 Six or eight feet of single piano string wire made up 

 in two equal sections connected by a swivel with a 

 swivel at the line end would seem to be appropriate for 

 tarpon fishing. The swivels serve to, prevent the leader 

 from kinking. The tackle makers claim to treat the 

 wire with a rust proof process which lengthens its life, 

 but one generally loses leaders long before rust can 

 affect their strength. 



