58 MODERN SEA FISHING 



followed by the sprats, and they in their turn are pursued by 

 the cod, which devour them. Later on, when the cold weather 

 begins, the fish seek deeper water. While whiting fishing from 

 boats in the Downs, it is customary to lay out a drift trot for 

 cod or codling. A feature of the pier fishing is a sort of bait 

 depot, at which one can buy lugworms, herrings, sprats, &c. 

 The best bait to use from the pier for pollack are large rag- 

 worms. Codling, flat fish, and whiting prefer lugs, whiting 

 also not being averse to pieces of herring. In addition to the 

 codling and whiting, there are flat fish, conger, and whiting 

 pout, and I have more than once heard of good-sized lobsters 

 being caught on rod and line from the pier. But I must temper 

 this charming picture with just a sprinkling of cold water : 

 there are many blank days both from pier and boats at Deal, 

 but they should be few indeed if the angler chooses his time 

 well and places himself in the hands of an experienced pro- 

 fessional fisherman. During the autumn and winter there is 

 no difficulty in finding the fishing grounds, for there are usually 

 a score or more of boats to be seen out. 



The tide runs very strongly in the Downs, and off Deal the 

 sea takes the form of a huge eddy. The tide flows northward 

 towards Ramsgate, and ebbs southward towards Dover. When 

 running fiercely, it is next to impossible to keep a lead on the 

 bottom, and the tide has the peculiarity of continuing to flow 

 towards Ramsgate for about three and a half hours after high 

 water. During the period of spring tides fishing usually begins 

 about ten or eleven o'clock, and if the tide is then running 

 strongly, the first anchorage will be about a quarter of a mile 

 from the shore. As the tide eases, the boat will be shifted 

 further out, and the fishing can be continued until about four 

 o'clock. Four or five hours is about the longest period for 

 fishing during spring tides. If you ask a local man when 

 he fishes, he will tell you that he does so on ' the ease of the 



