The Arizona sentinel., 1888-05-19
THE GREAT PARTON.
4 Florida Sportsman Chats Pleasantly
 About a Gamey Fish.

About a Gamey Fish.
 As vaultcr the tarpon is unequaled. and his 60 .ial feats must be seen to be appreciated On one occasion my friend G. and a companion were row ing through Salt river Ca tributary of the HomosassO in a sixteen-foot Whitehall boat A tarpon was sum- hing himself in tho grass. and, being disturbed. made for deep water. Find ing the water shallow and the boat in lhe way, he endeavored 10 clear it at an angle. The head of the fish came m contact with the side of G. s com panion, which defected him from his course, and he past under one of ihe boat seats. A pocket-knifc was used 'fo settle his hash" but it would not penetrate the ivory-like 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 companion in the bow. and for the time the fish was awarded the post of honor unm olested. When peace was declared tho gentle men resumed their oars, but the one who defected 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 Homosassa and the tarpon was weighed. tipping the scales at 153 pounds. The above statement is not in the least exagger- ated.
 Among other instances cited, one in which the captain of the Water Lily suffered is remarkable. The captain was seated on chair in the center of the forward deck with his back to the pilo house of the steamer while en route from Jacksonville to Mays port. As the boat was passing St. Johns bluff frisky tarpon leaped from the water, clearing tho guards and landed in the captain 8 lap. The captain was knocked over by the shock, but the briny vaulter was se- cured. weighing sixty-eight pounds.
 The capture of tarpen with hook and line is difficult undertaking. Every summer many are hooked, but CIV are landed. T have had on many occasions. writes ~Dr. Kenworthy, 'rhesc fish seize my Laiea and run with lightning-like rapidity for twenty or hundred yards, then leap into the air and shake their heads. like terrier shaking rat. and expel the bait. The colored gentry have learned by experience never to interfere with a tarpon while in his playful moods, for one of their number. while fishing in Trout creek. few years ago. Imd the sinker thrown at his head by a frisky member of the family. The fish had taken the bait and rushed off only few rods. when he vaulted off into the air and threw the bait, sinker and all clear into the boat striking the man on the head. He never attempt ed the experiment again. ''
 The able writer continues in this strain to give his experience, and finally gives A complete description of barbarous and sportsmanlike rig for the capture of this noble fish. He uses piano wire and makes three joints six inches long and three or four inches in width. He soldiers the joints, tins them to prevent rust and attaches brass swivel two and half inches in length. Two hooks are soldered in each link, and two lines of hooks are presented when completed. Plenty ot fine copper wire is used in wrapping the hooks and links together. and with solder the union is perfect The bait used is mullet cut from head to tail. Each link is attached to the bait by fine twine and an attractive bait is offered with hooks partially concealed and an invisible snood. This tackling possesses great strength. for sharks nine feet in length have been captured with the rig. .-JG ksonoiLEe (Fa. ) NeaUS- HerGld.