The Return of Old Scarface

Where we are

• 
  Little Pavilion Key — Old Scarface's territory. Hooked by Russ (Ch. 7) and caught by Matt (Ch. 19).
• 
  Chokoloskee Island — Home base. Seminole for 'Old House.' Dan's cottage, the grocery store, the marina.

Every place in the book, painted →

Fish in this chapter

• 
  Tarpon ('silver king') The trophy fish of South Florida and the tournament's main event. Old Scarface. Rose's 68-inch, 81-pound… Ch. 1Ch. 2Ch. 7Ch. 8 +3
• 
  Bonefish The fish President Bush hooked with Snapper on the Key Largo flats. Ch. 19

Crew in this chapter

• 
  Matthew 'Matt' Creek protagonist Ch. 1
• 
  Snapper Dan's neighbor, retired guide Ch. 2
• 
  Doc Brown Old fishing guide and retired Navy physician Ch. 16
• 
  Daniel Walter Panther Jr. ('Uncle Dan') Matt's uncle, charter captain Ch. 1
• 
  Old Scarface The legendary tarpon Ch. 7

Boats in this chapter

• 
  The Sea Belle Houseboat Ch. 2Ch. 10Ch. 11Ch. 12 +7

From the tackle box

Trolling

Dragging a lure a hundred feet behind a moving boat. Little effort, long waits, then Old Scarface.

Gaff

A big hook on a pole for lifting a fish aboard by the mouth. Snapper's one lucky pass.

Reviving a fish

Hold it upright and move it back and forth so water passes over the gills until the tail kicks. Done for the snook and for Old Scarface.

Matt’s list

• ✓ Make Dan proud — checked off this chapter

See the whole list →