The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-20
PAGES 9 TO IL.
QUAY TELLS A TARPON STORY.
He Got the Head and a Shark Got the
Rest of 14O-Pounder.
From the plfLadelDdia TY11cs
m the Philadelphia Times.


yesterday when approached on the subject
Of politics, he had a whole host of interest
ing experiences to relate of his recent fish
ing excursion in Florida. When a Times
reporter preached the subject Of tarpon fish
ing to the junior senator from Pennsylvania
in his rooms at the Continental just after
he had breakfasted, Mr. Quay swung
round in his chair, and, with Characteristic
animation, proceeded to relate his recent
experiences.
81 expected he said, "to have O good
deal CT sport among the tarpon, but the
weather was so bad that | had but three
days genuine sport after these great and
gamy fish. For six days was storm bound
after we started from Punta Rassa, and
when the cold snap from the north reached
us that ended the fishing, for the tarpon
will not bite in cold weather. With a.
heavy, stout rod and a twenty-one-t thread
line on big reel, tarpon fishing Is not the
sport it ought to be. If, however, the fish,
ermen uses tifteen-thread line with light,
flexible rod, he will fad that the fish has at
least an even chance to get away. Indeed,
| saw one Of my friends, and a splendid
fisherman at that, last spring lose three fine
tarpon in single hour.
Mr. Wood of New York is recognized as
the most persistent angler after this big
finny game In all Florida, and cordially
agree with him when he says that the tar
pom is the coming game fish for sporting
fishermen. Tho abundance of this fish, the
desperate fights they make, their taking the
still bait, and the magnificent response the
silver king gives when securely hooked by
Immediately leaping many feet out Of the
water, his swift running between leaps, his
beautiful shape, and his bright and superb
metallic luster, added to his magnifi-
cent proportions, make this kind of
fishing a delight to the fortunate sportsman.
a
bagging a good-sized tarpou adds wonder
fully to the Joy of the sport. All you need
is courageous man to row your boat,
which is usually light skiff with sail.
have killed, with William r. Leeds. half a
dozen red drum in the morning off Brigan-
tine beach with half the trouble it has cost
me to bring to boat ninety-six pound tar
pom with fifteen-ounce flexible rod
strong eighteen-thread line
"The last big fish | caught this spring
was in Indian river, and played him one
hour and fifty minutes before Ben Sooy, who
was with me, got the prize into our little
boat. Bnt this is the very acme of tarpon
fishing, for with a big reel and a strong
cord and wire snood any man can hook
on to a tarpon and let him run the little
boat up the Indian river till the great fish is
tired out. and then the fisherman pulls his
game In by main force. But there is no
skill in that. It's good deal like bunch
ing quail and shooting them on the ground.
None hut q pot hunter viii do that and so
no real sportsman wants to fight a tarpon
without giving him a chance for his life.
''The last tarpon caught In March, with
Ben Sooy, weighed liz pounds. / hooked
him with fresh mullet for bait Che best
bait known, and he dragged the boat for
three miles up Indian river and jumped ten
feet out OF water, his silver scales shining
like the metallic roofs of the Quebec houses
in the morning sun. IL took us just two
hours TO bag that fish, and then both my
boatman and myself were too tired to fish
any more that day.
sour party of three" continued the sena-
tor, 'in one week Of good weather, in the
early part OF March (and the best mouth is
April hooked sixteen tarpon, but only killed
ten, and six got away, partly from lack OF
skill and mainly because the strong and
gamy fish disgorged the hook, which they
are apt to do If not caught In the cartilage
near the mouth. Only in two instances
did they succeed in breaking the line.
"There was one singular instance hap
pened during my last trip when had Ben
Sooy with me and colored boy Of l6 to
manage the boat, while Ben was to help
manage the gaR and keep an eye on the
negro boy with the paddle. Just before
sunset with lot Of new lines we anchored
in my favorite spot in Indian river where
the water was only four feet deep, as the
big fish feed here, and the tarpon always
bites best in shallow water. You usually
see the fish before he takes the bait. I
carefully put on the muller myself,
and made the cast from the sailboat
far out on tho river. Not six
minutes had elapsed when, not ten
feet from my boat above the CLASSY surface
of the sluggish river, the tail of a magnifi-
cent tarpon appeared directly above ttSe
mullet bait. Then / knew the fun was
about TO begin. There was a sudden swirl
in the water, and Ben Sooy and the negro
came near tumbling in the river from sheer
excitement. Selling my supple and bend
ing rod pulled off and give the running
fish some thirty feet of slack line; then
when my line was taut, / gave sudden
twist to my wrist and made a good strike.
There was mighty leap, the sheen Of silver
was in the air, a fierce toss of the head like
that OF wild Texas steer, and whizzl went
my big reel
II stood up in the boat with my hand on
the reel and bade the negro paddle for his
life to help the fish pull the boat Every
five minutes the rarpon repeated his evolu-
tions, shaking his broad jaws each time he
jumped to dislodge the barb. But he was
securely hooked, and quietly enjoyed his
exciting rushes and enormous leaps out OF
water, giving him each time he rushed
plenty OF line. was wearing the monster
out fast, and felt glad. But stopl Fifty
feet away / noticed a hugo fin emitting the
water like the bow of steam yacht. The
tarpon, too, as if he had human feeling
(he certainly exhibited human fear. soon
knew that an immense shark was around
and that a new danger threatened him. He
shot ahead like a streak OF summer light.
ming But he was weary. l pulled him
gently toward me. He stopped.
'tThe great shark, intent on full supper,
circled swiftly round both boat and fish.
felt chilly sensation myself to see the big
fellow outlined in the water as he darteo
under our boat, revealing fourteen feet of
his spotted back. He doubled, prepared to
play the same trick. yelled to Ben: Strike
him with the oar in the jaw And ben
struck him a powerful blow that made him
swerve, but only for an instant.
81 pulled the tarpon to the boats side and
said: Ben, shoot the shark with your re-
volver and get the gaffp but Sooy was too
much ratified with the conflict, and never
thought Of his gun. The tarpon acted az
if crazy with fear, and did his best to get
away from both enemies. 1t was too late
I had the fish within ten feet of the skiff.
and he came belly up, bleeding at the gill;
plentifully. Suddenly cleaving the water
the big man eater came like an arrow.
There was splash--more blood on tbs
water---the tarpon was lifted clear out Of
the river, and the spot where live fish had
been was crimson with blood
t.x.x~ Il a