THETARPON 63 



made so they revolve freely and function properly. 

 For use with nine and six-thread line Catalina swivels 

 may be used for a knot seriously weakens a line. 



Your guide will make a leather "swivel" so as to 

 attach the reel line by a hitch and there are other ex- 

 pedients to avoid the fatal knot. 



Gaff — There is no restriction on the size of this 

 essential part of the equipment and the guide will fur- 

 nish it. It should be heavy and mounted on a long 

 handle so as to make its use effective. The guide will 

 provide himself with a landing gaff, which is a barbless 

 hook on a stout line, which he attaches to his wrist. 

 This gaff or hook is inserted in the mouth of the tarpon 

 and the line hook is released. He then withdraws the 

 barbless gaff and the fish swims away unhurt, to be 

 caught again some other day. Never gaff a tarpon 

 which you do not intend to mount as a specimen unless 

 it is likely a record fish. 



Miscellaneous Tackle — Metallic articles should be 

 rolled up in a piece of cloth to prevent rust. A cheap 

 fiber suitcase or a bag of canvas, such as plumbers and 

 plasterers carry their tools in, answers the same pur- 

 pose as the expensive pig skin tackle box, and may con- 

 tain the following articles: 



Extra lines, leaders, hooks, sinkers, swivels 

 spoons (Wilson), flat and cutting pliers, emery 

 paper, bottle vaseline for rods, screw driver, knife 

 (Boy Scout), oiler, flat file, extra guides, spool of 

 silk, tapes (adhesive and measuring), drinking 

 cup, corkscrew, can opener, mosquito dope; stout 

 cotton gloves, field glasses, sun goggles, wind 



