TAKING BEARINGS OF FISHING-BANKS. 439 



the charts of the locality, which will be sure to afford 

 much information of the greatest value to fishermen. 

 The soundings and nature of the bottom will be found 

 marked upon them; these details for instance, are 

 matters which among others generally determine the 

 kind of fish likely to be taken. Any ground where 

 good fishing is obtained should be carefully noted and 

 marked by the fisherman upon his chart, so that this 

 exact spot can be found without difficulty at any time. 

 For this purpose, if the coast is visible, bearings should 

 be taken of some prominent objects on shore. This 

 should be done on two imaginary lines, drawn by the 

 eye from the boat to the coast, when on the fishing 

 ground; and upon each line two objects, in line over 

 each other, should be noted, as marks by which to 

 identify the position, and 



" as great precision is necessary in some kinds of fishing, the 

 marks selected should not be too close to each other, neither 

 should the lines of direction be too oblique; but where a 

 choice of objects exists, select those which will afford as near 

 an approach as possible to a right angle." * 



Splendid sport may often be obtained in sea fishing, 

 but unless the traveller is on board a yacht or other 

 seagoing vessel, probably his efforts will be confined 

 to hand-line fishing, or long-line fishing. 



By long-lining, large quantities of fish may often 

 be caught with a minimum of trouble. These lines 

 consist, as most people are aware, of a main line of 

 strong cord or small rope, to which a number of hooks 

 are attached, tied on short pieces of fishing line, about two 

 and a half feet long, and six and a half or seven feet 

 apart, so that they may not foul each other. Stones 



* The Sea Fisherman, by J. C. Wilcocks, 2nd edit., 1868, p. 5. 



