132 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXV. 



METHOD TO BE ADOPTED. 



SURFACB-FEEDEKS. 



For the surface feeders trolling is undoubtedly the best method of 

 securing sport. The line should be marked with silk at every 50 yards, 

 and 50 yards should be let out behind the boat. No lead is necessary or 

 desirable, certainly within the 15 fathom line. The pace should be just 

 as fast as the boat can be rowed with comfort. If a fish has touched 

 the bait and dropped it, do not stop the boat. Carry on for a short dis- 

 tance and if nothing further happens keep the boat in motion and reel up 

 slowly. As the lure approaches the craft it will skim along the surface 

 of the water ; frequently this particular motion proves an irresistable 

 temptation to the procrastinating rover. A final word of advice is 

 tendered. Never under any pretext whatever, put the rod down in the 

 boat while the bait is overboard. Such a procedure is merely steering a 

 deliberate course to idtimate disaster, 



BOTTOM-FEEDEKS. 



For bottom-fishing paternostering is the most efficacious method, and 

 two booms are recommended, with a large specially designed sea-float. 

 In this form of angling local knowledge is paramount. Each variety of 

 fish must be wooed in its own special location. It is perfectly useless 

 anchoring over the sunf/ser beds and hoping to catch coopers. It is equally 

 futile rowing out into the void and expecting to catch anything. The 

 villagers have the different areas mentally fixed by crosscuts on promi- 

 nent land marks. It is necessary either to engage one specially as guide 

 and philosopher, or the other alternative is to join the merry throng that 

 goes singing along somewhere about 2 a.m., and drop anchor in close 

 proximity to the general conclave. 



The third subject that presents itself for discussion is the question of 



LURES. 



It is a matter of common-sense to suppose that the natural food of the 

 larger predacious fishes, if persented in a scientific manner, is likely to 

 prove a far more deadly attraction than any mauufactvired imitation. It 

 can therefore be readily deduced that an artificial lure should only be 

 employed when natural bait is not procurable, or when the stock has 

 become exhausted. It may be argued that difficulty will i^robably be. 

 encountered in procuring such natural goods ; but this contention is not 

 applicable to the Persian Gulf. Arrangements can always be made with 

 one of the villagers, and such will include the provision of a locally-made 

 cast net of suitable mesh. 



The natural pabulum of the surface-feeders consists of the minnows ol 

 the class pisces ; the varieties most commonly obtained will be described 

 in detail. 



Mullet. 



Experience has proved that for general utility and in its killing proper- 

 ties the family of Mut/ildce stands unrivalled. Of the mullets three species 

 are common at Jask. 



Boi (pro7iou7iced " ho-i ") 



The bo-i is a tough silvery fish, which does not grow beyond about 7 

 inches in length, and can be distinguished by its comparatively narrow 

 head, and by the fact that tlie posterior portion of the iris is coloured 

 golden. It is in spawn in December. 



