Evening star., 1935-01-27

difficult capture that is not always with
out some element of danger attached.
However, nearly all the real sportsmen
on these waters prefer to subdue their
quarry by means of rod and reel at
cost Of great physical effort. These
honors belong not alone to men, as I
know of one woman who spurns fish
under 1000 pounds, and delights In
landing single-handed a shark of this
size and up. She generally goes out for
q days fishing accompanied only by her
guide and boatman, and many can vouch
for her skill and endurance in landing
these monsters.
CTuL fishing, the least costly form of
- this sport, Is carried on at all times.
Nearly all forms of fish life may be
caught in this manner. Bottom or free
line fishing, using whole or cut mullet,
crawfish, meat, shellfish, shrimp or live
bait is generally productive. The usual
grounds being channels, reefs, holes,
flats and around railroad trestles or old
piles and wrecks. Casting with arti-
ficial bait Is also done with good results,
and, although particular lures do catch
more than others, nearly any spoon or
plug win bring results
Trolling-a very popular form Of
nshing-is carried on by those able to
afford the hiring Of q power boat With
crew necessary to handle same. Arti-
ficial lures are the best all-around bait.
However, cut mullet and strips of bar
racuda belly are often used. When fish
II hooked it Is customary to stop the
boat, so that the fish can furnish the
most sport unhampered. This Is the
sporting way to angle, though some
people tow their prize until drowned,
and consequently land large fish that
otherwise might have won their free
dom by fight and cunning. There is
also under way at this time movement
by sportsmen to release, unharmed, such
fish as the sailfish, tarpon, dolphin,
bonefiSh and other game fish that are
not to be kept for mounting or eating
purposes. This helps to perpetuate the
species.
The waters Of the southernmost Keys
are noted for being the year-round home
W skxC 6oAASy oAVC9 AulSs Va tcA4 ROGs
As the Winter months wane, these great
fighting fish are caught in goodly num-
bers, and from March to October are at
their best. Words without end have
been written in praise of this fish, whose
strength, speed and acrobatic ability Is
In q class by itself. For the novice, I
will quote the words of a master guide:
Zone fish is the average landed of 10
hooked" Also, IF you take your eyes
OF the fish for even a moment he is
gone" There is only one sure place to
hook tarpon, and the odds are against
your hooking in this spot-the notch Of
his lower jaw. If hooked there, and you
do not get a broken line or rod, you will
surely land your fish.
When hooked, the tarpon gives the
angler a marvellous exhibition of aerial
acrobatics, combined with powerful,
breath-taking runs, showing great
strength and stamina. If allowed to
rest, tired tarpon gains strength In q
few moments, and Is almost as fresh as
when hooked. The unexpected is the
rule when playing or landing tarpon.
Some Jump many times, others only
jump few times and make their fight
under the surface: when played close to
the boat in preparation to being gated
this great game fish generally jumps,
sometimes into the boat itself. In this
case the angler may be endangered, as
these fish are quite heavy, and even ii
they do not fall on the angler they
make matchwood of the chairs in the