212 MODERN SEA FISHING 



on these lines, a dozen hooks will be robbed for every fish 

 caught, and this simply because the fish cannot be properly 

 hooked when they bite. 



I have had many opportunities of contrasting the results 

 obtained by fishing with rod and paternoster and these throw- 

 out lines. The more scientific tackle has invariably beaten 

 the older method out of the field. I have already mentioned 

 in the introductory chapter how one October day I stood 

 between two persons who were using throw-out lines each 

 bearing thirteen hooks. I fished with a paternoster, and my 

 two hooks caught many more fish than were taken on the 

 twenty-six hooks on my neighbours' lines ; yet we were using 

 the same baits and were fishing within a few yards of one an- 

 other. I, of course, was able to detect the slightest bite ; could 

 at once strike and hook the fish. Possibly, too, my finer tackle 

 had something to do with it ; though I doubt if cod in the 

 thick water of the East coast exhibit any appreciation of our 

 efforts to please them in the way of fine tackle. Certainly my 

 hooks were superior, for they were of the kind used in fresh 

 water, and much sharper than the tinned abominations which 

 for years have been used in the sea. 



A paternoster suitable for this method of fishing may be of 

 single gut if the codling run from one pound to five pounds ; but 

 if anything much larger is expected, twisted gut should certainly 

 be used, for the angler may have to deal with a fish of twenty 

 to thirty pounds. The right sort of paternoster is illustrated 

 on page 239. When I first practised this kind of fishing I 

 used to think the great point was to cast as far as possible, long 

 casting being a weakness common to most young fishermen, 

 who always think the fish lie mainly under the opposite bank 

 of the river or the other side of the Atlantic. But I had a very 

 wholesome lesson one evening. I had gone down to the shore 

 after dinner, taking my rod and a few mussels, and fished for 



