SKATE, SAND EEL OR LAUNCE, SMELTS. 169 



Skate. 



Skate abound on the sea-coast all round England, 

 &c. and they may be caught near the shore with a 

 strong long cod line and hook, baited with a piece of 

 any kind of fresh Fish, Muscles, Oysters, Wilks, &c. 

 When a bite, you will feel them tug 3 let them pull 

 several times, give line and a few minutes' time to 

 pouch ; angle at bottom and during a breeze of wind. 

 Skate, when not too large and are crimped, are thought 

 good eating by some ; but when they are very large, 

 many object to them as having a rank taste. Skate 

 are caught sometimes that weigh upwards of two 

 hundred pounds. The Fishermen on the sea-coast use 

 the flesh of Skate to bait for Lobsters, &c. 



Sand Eel, or Launce. 



This Fish is found buried about six or eight inches 

 in sand on the sea-beach, and is taken by turning up 

 tl)e sand with a three-pronged fork, such as are used 

 for digging out lug-worms. The best time to search 

 for them is immediately after the tide leaves the 

 sands : the flesh of this Fish is of a delicate flavour, 

 and worth the trouble of digging for. 



Smelts. 



Smelts are caught in many harbours and wet docks 

 on the sea-coast, with the angle : I have caught very 

 fine ones in Portsmouth harbour. 



Q 



