SEA ANGLING 39 



The amateur sea angler is often in great doubt as to the best 

 bait to use ; and, believing that a certain kind of bait is absolutely 

 necessary for his work in some particular spot, is often at a loss 

 to obtain it. This bait difficulty is evidently a prevailing one 

 among amateur sea fishers, if one may judge from the frequent 

 questions asked as to the best or proper bait to use, and from 

 the very common ' Can you oblige me with a little bait ? ' 



This latter question, we believe, is frequently the outcome of 

 carelessness or laziness on the part of the asker. He has not the 

 forethought, born of enthusiasm, that would lead him to procure 

 a suitable bait, at a convenient time, previous to starting off on his 

 angling expedition, but rather depends on the possibility of being 

 able to beg or otherwise secure sufficient for his purpose at the 

 time ; yet there are so many good baits that are easily secured 

 at the proper time and place that the enthusiastic angler need never 

 be at a loss. Some of these may be collected by himself at low 



FIG. 28. THE LUGWOBM 



tide, others may be obtained from local fishermen, or from the 

 tradesmen of the town or village. 



Some anglers seldom collect their own bait, either purchasing 

 it or employing some one to collect it for them ; but we are of 

 opinion that the pleasure of a day's fishing begins here, and 

 especially so when the angler is of the naturalist type, for he 

 will frequently learn more of the nature and habits of living 

 creatures during one hour's bait-collecting than during three or 

 four hours' angling. It is true that the work in question is often 

 a bit laborious, particularly on a warm day, and that it may be 

 frequently described as dirty and odorous ; but what is that to 

 one who is interested in his employment, and who derives pleasure 

 in doing his own work? 



Fishermen often use lugworms for bait, and although these 

 constitute one of the best baits for their own fishing, they are 



