CERTAIN CITIZENS OF THE WARM SEA 
133 
Photograph by A. W. and Julian A. Dimock 
TARPON LEAPING 
This great fish, the “Silver King,” dear to the heart of all sportsmen, was caught by the camera in the very 
act of shaking the hook from its mouth. 
vides. When one is caught with rod and 
reel, it leaps repeatedly from the water, 
and as the sunlight plays upon its glisten¬ 
ing scales while the angler battles con¬ 
stantly to prevent it from freeing itself 
during the struggle, the thrill must be ex¬ 
perienced to be fully appreciated. 
This best-known of the larger game 
fishes of the sea, called the “Silver King,” 
is bluish on the back, with its under parts 
and sides a wonderful, glistening silver 
(Color Plate, page 152). Its scales are 
large and iridescent and are utilized 
in the making of numerous fancy articles 
which find a ready market as souvenirs 
of the habitat of the Tarpon. Little 
is known of the breeding habits of the 
Tarpon, but very young individuals are 
found in brackish waters, where they 
remain until strong enough to enter into 
the life struggle of the deep. 
THE SAILFISH A CLOSE COMPETITOR 
FOR POPULARITY 
The Sailfish is considered a highly de¬ 
sirable fish to encounter, for not only is 
it valued for the resultant sport after be¬ 
ing hooked, but it is also highly prized 
for the excellent mounted trophy it makes. 
Many of these fish adorn the home walls 
and club-rooms of anglers who take pride 
in their catches (Color Plate, page 154). 
It was this fish which afforded the late 
President Harding and members of his 
official family their sport when in Miami 
waters. 
Caught with light tackle, such gamesters 
require considerable skill in the landing, 
being very strong and of supreme courage. 
The Tarpon and Sailfish when hooked 
leap repeatedly many feet inta,the air in 
their efforts to free themselves from the 
hook and are very frequently successful in 
such ring generalship. 
The ^ailfish is not only a good sporting 
fish, but is also of considerable food value 
as well. This remarkably swift oceanic 
citizen is of unusual shape; its large, sail¬ 
like dorsal fin and its rapier-like spear 
make it a curiosity much sought after by 
the angler. 
Little is definitely known of the use 
of the large dorsal fin, but it is not un¬ 
usual to see it “hoisted” on the still waters 
of the tropics in the fish’s surface dashes 
after prey. Its likenesss to a boat’s sail 
