144 THE ANGLER S GUIDE. 



prp.ctice and experience, I can aver, that worms 

 are the least to be depended on for killing large 

 Eels, and that when the Angler lays in large rivers, 

 or tide rivers, if he can procure small Gudgeons, Dace, 

 Bleak, large white Minnows (the Minnows should 

 not be with spawn,) and Lamprey Eels, he then pos- 

 sesses the best and most killing baits. I have killed 

 a great many large Eels in docks, among the ship- 

 ping, and also in ponds, by baiting my night lines with 

 chicken's guts, which I first parboil, and then sprinkle 

 with salt ; and also with boiled salt beef, which I 

 cut in shape like a Fish, before I put it on my hook. 

 Some Anglers think Fish object to every thing salt j 

 but this opinion is erroneous, for I have had excellent 

 sport when I have laid my fish-baits, (that have not 

 been touched the first night,) on the second night, 

 having let them lay separate all day, first having 

 sprinkled them with salt. 



Note. — In choosing Eel hooks, prefer the single 

 ones whose shank is similar to the Kirby hook, to 

 those which have a loop shank ; because when baited, 

 especially with a worm, it tears the bait less, and 

 also is less likely to be felt while the Eel is swallow- 

 ing it. And further observe, to choose hooks that 

 are narrow in the bend, and never use them too large ; 

 for hooks well manufactured and of good shape, of 

 the sizes No. 6, for baiting with Fish, or those of No. 

 7, single for worms, will kill Eels of any size, while , 

 larger hooks tear or mutilate the bait, and standing 

 rank frequently cause alarm or suspicion in the Eels, 



