244 MODERN SEA FISHING 



fish. Whether the lowest hook link is short or long, it is not 

 advisable to dispense with the second hook link above it, which 

 secures any fish not feeding close to the bottom. I may say 

 that often when angling for flat fish I have caught them on 

 this top hook ; they feed off the bottom more often than people 

 suppose. 



These various forms of the paternoster will, I think, suffice 

 to catch fish on or near the bottom in any water round our 

 coasts. There is one point I have omitted, and that is, sup- 

 posing the bottom is rocky and the weeds are growing some 

 distance above it, then the hook links and hooks must be well 

 up above the lead, and the angler should be careful, having once 

 ascertained the depth, never to have his lead nearer the bottom 

 than about three feet. It may be asked, how can we do this ? 

 A simple little dodge gets over the difficulty. Having once 

 ascertained the right depth, reel up a yard or so, tie a piece of 

 cotton round the line, and be careful never to unwind beyond 

 the mark. Of course, if the tide is rising or falling due allow- 

 ance must be made ; and if the fish appear to have suddenly 

 ceased feeding, the depth should be again taken. 



A useful arrangement for ascertaining the nature of the 

 bottom is a sounding lead made much in the shape of the long 

 cylinder illustrated. Its lower end is filled with tallow. Lower 

 until it reaches the bottom, and on drawing it up you will find 

 whether you are fishing over stones, mud, or sand ; it is a very 

 useful guide to the fish which may be expected. Of course 

 this is no new idea to men who know anything about naviga- 

 tion, for it is a common thing to take soundings to discover 

 the nature of the bottom. 



The sea angler should not stint himself in the matter of 

 leads. He will want them of various weights, from one ounce 

 up to two pounds. He should always fish with the lightest 

 possible weight at the end of his line, changing it for a heavier 



