MODERN SEA FISHING 



yarn (waxed if possible) should be tied tightly round the eel 

 skin above the eye or flat end of the hook, to keep the bait 

 from slipping down ; and to complete it neatly, turn over the 

 sides of the skin, and sew them down to 

 I the eel with needle and cotton. This forms 



a very good bait attractive, tough, and 

 lasting which will kill many fish. If the 

 hook which is used is of the ordinary kind 

 and is whipped on to the line, it is necessary 

 to bite the shot on the gut or gimp just above 

 the end of the shank, the eel skin being 

 tied just above the shot. This is a much 

 better plan with these baits than using the 

 two-hook tackle recommended for lobworms. 

 If the small upper hook is used, the eel is 

 pulled off it at each run from a fish and 

 is soon rendered useless. At the same 

 time I have thought it almost necessary to 

 illustrate this form of tackle, as it is one a 

 good deal used. It is just possible that the 

 eel tail is more attractive to the fish than 

 the small eel, owing to its remarkable head. 

 If the fish are small or are biting shyly, 

 then it is very easy to vary the tackle by 

 adding a triangular or a second single hook. 

 In any case there should be a swivel on the 

 line just below the lead, for a very slight 

 twist will cause the eel to spin, although, as 

 I have said, the spinning is not necessary. I 

 EEL TAIL have seen it stated that the eel bait is all the 



more deadly if the tail end and about two- 

 thirds of its body are skinned. I have never tried this experi- 

 ment, having always been perfectly satisfied with the killing 



