Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1902 — Sponge Fishers in Luck. [ARTICLE]

Sponge Fishers in Luck.

The Sponge fisheries along the coast of Florida have been pushed to the utmost limit, until the annual sales amount to $600,000. The product sells as high as $2.50 a pound, which makes the business most profitable. There are sixty schooners in the trade and the business is the staple of many of the towns along the coast of the State. The fishermen have brought the business to a high state of perfection, and they are able to make large catches in season. The sponge fishing Is done In deep water, the best specimens of the large bath sponges being obtained from titty feet below the surface. They are located with a water glass and then picked with a long pole carrying on its end a blade like a letter S, which cuts the sponge loose with a twist, and it is then brought to the surface, if there is luck; and if not, and it gets away, it is lost forever. The men become very expert In the business, and they will carry it on during high winds, losing very few of the sponges.