74 THETARPON 



upstream, so to speak. When the tide is slack it is 

 good practice to fish over the stern. The tarpon may 

 jump close to the boat on either side, or it may make 

 a short run toward either side and then jump, or it 

 may not do either of these things but may make a long 

 run in any direction, but usually up-tide. It is ex- 

 tremely difficult to give any categorical advice to cover 

 one 's action at this uncertain stage of the contest. The 

 tarpon will make the next move without any delay and 

 one can only meet the attack by trying to keep a reason- 

 ably taut line, so that when the first jump does come 

 the fish will be held on a moderate strain. If the fish 

 makes a run for some distance from the boat, the task 

 is easier for the slanting line coming to the surface will 

 indicate when the fish is coming up to leap. It is 

 essential to get in all the slack line possible and to hold 

 the fish on a fairly tight line whilst it is in the air. 

 Many times it will be out of the question to do this. 

 The operation is helped by reeling in any slack line 

 which can be gained and lowering the point of the rod 

 so that it may be lifted when the fish appears. The fish 

 may disappear and the line may feel dead and lifeless. 

 Don't despair but reel hard for the fish may still be 

 there. The angler will utilize the first opportunity that 

 presents itself to insert the butt of the rod into the 

 socket which will be found on the upper side of his 

 seat. The use of this device helps enormously in the 

 capture of the fish. In tarpon fishing line cannot 

 usually be gained by the mere reeling in of the fish but 

 this must be done by the operation known as "pump- 

 ing." The angler lifts the line till the rod is at an angle 



