The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1908-08-21
TARPoN FISHING
AT ST. MARKS.
Twsnty-FouF StFIKsa. HOOKIns Slz in
One Night.

This Is only 9 fish story, but It differs
from others IN that it is vOuched for by
five men who were present and actually
took very active part in the happen
ings am about to relate.
Last Tuesday night Mr.. Whitlesy,
one Of the popular managers OF the
BlOXham Hotel and myself heard Of the
splendid luck with the tarp0n Of Mr..
Gates, &C st. Marks, and being lovers
of the sport, we decided TO go the fol-
lowing morning and try our luck. So
we went to Mr.. 7. B. Byrd and we're
fitted out with the proper tackle, and
in passing let me say that Mr.. Byrd can
az one out for fishing whether IL be for
minnows or the Silver King Tarpon.
Leaving Tallahassee att a. m Wednes-
day we arrived at st. Marks at $3.50,
here we put up with Mr.. Frank Duval,
at his fine hotel. Accompanied by Mr..
John Trice, we took a launch, that is al
WAYS TO be had here, for the fishing
grounds, about miles down the river.
Arriving there, we Immediately started
trolling for Red fish or channel bass,
and owing to Mr.. Trice's splendid man
agement of the launch and his knOwl-
edge of the fishing grounds, coupled
with some little skill of our own, we had
two hours fine sport with the REDS,
landing four, the largest weighing 15h
pounds. These fish are always to be
found here at this season, provided one
secures the proper facilities; but as this
trip was for tarpCn, will pass rover the
Red fish for the present, and try to de-
scribe nights sport with the Silver
Backs.
Going back to st. Marks, we found
Messrs. Gates, Braswell and Duval await
ing US. After making some prepara-
ton, we started on the return trip
down the river.
We beginners spent the hour it takes,
listening TO Mr. Gates, the veteran fish
erman, teach us the ways of Tsrpon,
how to hook them, etc.
About sunset, we landed on a beauti-
full point about a mile from the Light
, House and the fishing grounds. Here
we made coffee and enjoyed one of Mr..
Duvals delicious suppers, then gather
ing around cheerful fire, we smoked
and listened to many tales Of fish and
fishermen until the moon arose. should
like to describe that sight, but not be-
ing q poet, feel that no words Of mine
could do justice TO the magnificent eff
feet nor the feeling that came over US,
as we saw that ball Of fire come steal
ing over the eastern horizon.
Almost at the same time that the
moon arose, we heard the mullet jump
ing and we knew the tide had started
in and the fishing must begin, so we
got aboard and In very few moments
deep channel running very close TO and
parallel with q shallow sand bar.
Putting the half of q raw mullet on
our hooks, we made 3 cast. BY this
time the tide was coming In very fast
and the waters seemed alive with fish
of all kinds. Mullets, in schools Of hun
dreds, were splashing through the shall
lows, then there would come a tremen-
dOus splash, as a Tarpon would pOunce
among them. Then q streak Of phOs-
phorus, as he in turn would be chased
by shark, and with Il all, the water
was churned into a foam about US as
the fnny tribe devOured or were de-
VOured.
Suddenly: there was q gentle tug on
my line, click. click of the reel, and
was warned that ] had bitel Then
click, click, click, cl---- as q Whirl OF
my reel, q sudden jerk Of my pole, a
plunge, and knew / had him hookedl
Whir, whirl One hundred An hundred
and fifty feet Of line gone like tighten
ing. Then leaped six feet and over, Of
pure silver, straight into the air, shak-
ing his great head to disgorRe the hook.
The cry goes up on the launch: "Tar-
pom hookedi Unite the skiffl'' and with
aspiring, Nr. Gates and ! are in, and
away we 60. The TarpOn leaping now
and again, each time ] am in agony that
ne Will break my line and get away;
but II holds, and the fish, seeing that
jumping does not free him from that
terrible thing in his throat, tries new
stunts. He starts out to sea with
rush, spinning off my line yard after
yard before can stop him. Then Mr..
Gates gives me chance to reel up some
OF my line by running the skiff very fast
IL the same direction the fish is going.
Now we settle down 10 the long fight,
the fish towing the boat, and the fish
erinen rushing in whenever he turns or
the line gets slack. For over an hour
this fish towed as over q course Of four
miles. and then my leader breaks, and
the fish Is freeI
Having had this exciting chase. back
We 60 for another effort, only to be
again towed several miles and our line
% be broken, this we kept up al night
II had the pen-Of a ready writer /
fee sure could make st. Marks IA
nous with q description Of all that took
place that night Of excitement in this
great TRY" for TarpOn, but I cannot
% The subject justice.
During that night, we bad twenty