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Domestic News
June 15, 1940
The Key West Citizen
Key West, Monroe County, Florida
What is this article about?
A party of collegians and friends went tarpon fishing near Key West, landing an 80-pound tarpon but losing a larger one that broke the line after a fierce struggle; two others escaped.
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AN OLD STORY—THE BIG ONE GOT AWAY
Fish stories in Key West can always be classed as "unbelievable".
One last night was no exception.
Out in the boat, a party of collegians and friends saw tarpon fishing which was tarpon fishing.
First of all, they landed a 80 pound, overgrown monster silver king.
But the best of the story was of the big one that got away.
It is said that all big ones get away because they're so doggone big and strong. This big one was hooked in the channel off Mangrove Key and was "played" all the way up to old Fort Taylor, where it finally ripped out sizeable chunks of line and broke the 18-thread 54-pound test line used. So strong was the pull on the line that the reel was useless. It leaped about four times during the struggle. Lance Lester, Jr., who is a medical student at Tulane University, was holder of the lucky (or unlucky) rod.
Jack Hayes, dental student at Atlanta Southern, brought to gaff the 80 pounder which today decorates the Porter Dock fence. The big fellow leaped five times and had the hearts of all "in their mouths" when it swerved close to a channel marker once and leaped but two feet away to narrowly miss breaking the line.
Francis Delaney, Naval Station employee, had two tarpons, one of which made prodigious leaps, but both threw the hook.
In the party were Mrs. Jack B. Hayes, L. P. Ariman, Jr. and Gene Dobson, besides those previously mentioned.
Fish stories in Key West can always be classed as "unbelievable".
One last night was no exception.
Out in the boat, a party of collegians and friends saw tarpon fishing which was tarpon fishing.
First of all, they landed a 80 pound, overgrown monster silver king.
But the best of the story was of the big one that got away.
It is said that all big ones get away because they're so doggone big and strong. This big one was hooked in the channel off Mangrove Key and was "played" all the way up to old Fort Taylor, where it finally ripped out sizeable chunks of line and broke the 18-thread 54-pound test line used. So strong was the pull on the line that the reel was useless. It leaped about four times during the struggle. Lance Lester, Jr., who is a medical student at Tulane University, was holder of the lucky (or unlucky) rod.
Jack Hayes, dental student at Atlanta Southern, brought to gaff the 80 pounder which today decorates the Porter Dock fence. The big fellow leaped five times and had the hearts of all "in their mouths" when it swerved close to a channel marker once and leaped but two feet away to narrowly miss breaking the line.
Francis Delaney, Naval Station employee, had two tarpons, one of which made prodigious leaps, but both threw the hook.
In the party were Mrs. Jack B. Hayes, L. P. Ariman, Jr. and Gene Dobson, besides those previously mentioned.
What sub-type of article is it?
Social Event
What keywords are associated?
Tarpon Fishing
Key West
Big Fish Escaped
Fishing Party
Silver King
What entities or persons were involved?
Lance Lester, Jr.
Jack Hayes
Francis Delaney
Mrs. Jack B. Hayes
L. P. Ariman, Jr.
Gene Dobson
Where did it happen?
Key West
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Key West
Event Date
Last Night
Key Persons
Lance Lester, Jr.
Jack Hayes
Francis Delaney
Mrs. Jack B. Hayes
L. P. Ariman, Jr.
Gene Dobson
Outcome
landed 80-pound tarpon; larger tarpon broke 54-pound test line and escaped; two other tarpons threw the hook.
Event Details
Party of collegians and friends fished for tarpon near Mangrove Key and Fort Taylor; hooked large tarpon that fought strongly and escaped; landed 80-pound tarpon that leaped multiple times; two others lost after leaping.