The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1888-04-04
The GREAT TARPON,

Florida Sportsman Tells Something
About Ts,s Carney Fish.
As a vaulter the tavpon is uncqualled.
and his aerial fcats must be seen to be
appreciated. On one occasion my
friend G. and a companion were row
ing through Salt river a tributary of
the HOm0sassal in sixteen-foot White
hail boat. A tarpon was summing HIM
self in the grass, and, being disturbed,
made for deep water. Finding the
water shallow and the boat in the way,
he endeavored to clear it at an angle
The head Of the fish came into contact
with the side of G's companion, which
DETECTED him from his course, and he
passed under one of the boat seats. A
pocket knife was useI ''to settle his
hash" but it would not penetrate the
ivory-l:ke armor of the fish. Oars were
used to dispatch the prisoner, but it
was found that if he were interfered
with the boat would suffer from the
vigorous blows of his head and tail. G.
seated himself in the stern and his COM
paniOn IN the bow. and for the time the
fish was awarded the post Of honor un-
molested. When peace was declared
the gentlemen resumed their oars, but
the one who detected the silver king in
his course found that he could not
paddle his own canoe" for several of
his ribs were fractured. G. rowed the
boat to Jones' Landing. on the Homo
sassa, and the tarpon was weighed,
tipping the scales at 153 pounds. Tho
above statement is not in the least ex-
a8gerated.
Among other instances cited, one in
which the captain of the Water Lily
suffered is remarkable. The captain
was seated on chair 10 the center Of
the forward deck with his back to the
pilot house on the steamer while en-
route from Jacksonville to MayspOrt.
As the boat was passing St Johns
bluff a frisky tarpon leaped from the
water. cleared the guards. and landed
in the captains lap. The captain was
Knocked over by the shock. but the
briny vanlter was secured. weighing
sixty-eight pounds.
The capture Of a arpOn with a hook
and line is difficult undertaking.
Every summer ma y are hooked. but
few are landed. Il have hadon many
occasions writes DR.. Kenworthy,
''these fish seize my bait and run With
lightning-like raPidity for twenty or a
hundred yards, then leap into the air
aud shake their heals, like a terrier
shaking a rat. and expel the bait The
colored gentry have learned by ex-
perience never to interfere with a tar
pom while in his playful moods. for one
Of their number. while fishing in Trout
creek a few years ago. had the sinker
thrown at his head by fris.sy member
of the family The lish had taken the
bait and rushed of oaly few rods,
when he vaulted into the air and threw
the bait sinker, anl all clear into the
the boat. striking the man on his head.
He never Attempted the experiment
again.
The able writer continues in this
strain to give his experiences. aud final
/ " gives a ca nplsie description Of 4
barbarous and uas2artsnanlike rig foJ
the capture 81 ihis noble Ash. lie uses
piano wire, and makes three joiais SIX
inches long and three or four inches in
length. He soldiers the joints, tins them
to prevent rust. and attaches brass
swivel two and half inches in length.
Two HOOKS are sollered in cash link.
and two lines Of hooks arr presented
when completed. Plenty Of tine copper
J wire is used in wrapping lhc hooks ans