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Figure 27. (Left): Offset hook, ganged or bound to hemp ganging with pine-tar-treated thread. 

 (Centre): Offset eyed-hook held to loop of nylon ganging. (Right): Attachd to becket in groundline 



The intervals between beckets or "rig" of the gear are usually 13, 18, or 21, and 

 occasionally 26 feet in length. These set intervals facilitate the baiting before setting, 

 and the coiling while hauling by causing the becket and gangion or ganging with 

 hook attached to line up properly in the coiled skate. 



In the past the gear has been constructed either with hemp, cotton or manila, 

 or occasionally sisal, depending upon their relative availability, quality and cost. 

 However, such natural fibers have now been largely displaced by man-made materials, 

 chiefly nylon, and very infrequently by stainless steel. 



Bait 



The baits used in the North American 



Pacific setline halibut fishery include both 

 fresh and frozen herring, frozen octopus 

 and fresh caught "shack" or "gurdy bait" 

 consisting primarily of grey cod, sablefish, 

 some turbot, and a scattering of other 

 species. Frozen shack bait is almost entirely 

 grey cod and sablefish. Also used, is fresh or 

 frozen whole salmon or salmon parts, gen- 

 erally heads and tails. 



Fishing Methods 



Fishing is conducted in depths usually 

 between 45 and 150 fathoms, but not in- 

 frequently may be as shallow as about 15 

 fathoms or as deep as 300 fathoms. Also, 

 there are occasional instances of fishing as 

 deep as 600 fathoms (Figure 28). 



Depending upon the grounds, time of 

 year and bait used, the gear remains in the 

 water, or is "soaked" for variable periods 

 from as short as 4 to 6 hours up to 20 to 

 30 hours (Figure 29). 



Figure 28. Hauling gear over rail roller 

 with power gurdy or winch. 



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