92 MODERN SEA FISHING 



if the angler so pleases. A strip of skin of any kind is easily 

 fixed on the two-hook tackle used for worms, &c. (see p. 117). 

 A number of these baits can be prepared and placed in a bottle 

 of salt. If you wish to be particularly artistic, you can cut out 

 from a piece of pork or bacon skin an imitation fish and 

 attach that to the shank of the hook in a similar manner. A 

 strip of pig's bladder has also been used with good effect as a 

 whiffing bait. Bass are fond of bacon or pork skin, which, 

 owing to their partiality for a semi-putrid bait, is sometimes 

 soaked for a day or two in weak soda water to render it a little 

 gamey. 



Bass Skin. Bass skin makes a capital bait for whiffing or 

 railing. A long strip half an inch wide should be cut off what 

 I may term the edge of the belly of the fish. This should be 

 opened and split down the middle, which will give two long 

 strips, each half an inch wide. These can be cut into triangular 

 pieces, the point of the hook being placed at the apex of the 

 triangle ; the bait then has a much more lively motion than if 

 the hook is inserted at the broad end or base of the triangle, as 

 is the custom on some parts of our coasts. 



Bloater. There are two fish which will take a strip of 

 moderately salted bloater, viz. bass and eels ; but this bait is 

 not so killing as others which may be used. In some places, 

 however Poole Harbour to wit bass will take a very corrupt 

 bloater with gusto. 



Cockles. I have found these little shell fish excellent bait 

 for sand dabs, plaice and flounders. Whiting pout are very 

 fond of them, and, indeed, few fish will not take them at 

 times. They are, however, not so killing a bait as the mussel. 

 On some sandy shores they are extremely abundant, and may 

 be picked up without difficulty, professional cockle-gatherers 

 using a rake, as they lie a little below the surface. They should 

 be scalded before being used : this opens the shells and solidi- 



