SEA-FISHING. 159 



General Remarks on Lines, Hooks, Baits, 8^c. 



The lines used for fishing in the sea, when a rod 

 and float is not attached to them, are made of hempen 

 cord, and sold at the fishing-tackle shops, under the 

 name of Cod and Mackarel lines ; but when fishing 

 from a pier, either Ramsgate, Dover, or any other, or 

 from a head-land, &c., during tolerable calm weather, 

 I always use a strong platted silk line, of a dark co- 

 lour, and upwards of seventy yards long, wound on 

 the largest size multiplying winch, which I fasten on 

 a very stout bamboo trolling rod, twenty feet long : 

 on this line I place one of the largest size cork floats, 

 to sink which to its proper depth, that is, three parts 

 under water, I put on as many large split shot as is 

 necessary for the purpose, in preference to a ledger 

 lead, and fish with a hnnk No 1 or % tied on fine and 

 strong platted silk, or treble gut, but think the silk 

 much the best. The baits, generally used, are lug or 

 sand worms, which worms are got by digging with 

 a three-prong fork in the sand, when the tide is out j 

 the places to find them are easily discovered, by ob- 

 serving where the sand is raised in small hillocks j 

 the other baits are well scowered lob-worms, small 

 pieces of fresh Fish, Lampreys, Eels, Muscles, Shrimps, 

 &c.,* the bait always touching or drifting on the 



* I have sometimes seen pieces of the Sword-fish cut into the 

 shape and size of a Minnow, and hooked by the part representing 

 the Up as a bait, which the Codlings have taken very freely. 



