SEA FISHING FROM SMALL BOATS 249 



our fish right on the bottom or a little above it. In very deep 

 water we should fish at a greater distance from the bottom than 

 where it is shallow. 



The right weight of lead can only be determined by experi- 

 ment or local knowledge. The best plan is to put up a rather 

 light sinker, and if that holds the bottom, well and good ; if it 

 does not, add to it or change it for a heavier one. Whether 

 the weight does or does not hold the bottom, can easily be felt. 

 After baiting the hooks, the paternoster swung over the side, 

 the check to the reel is taken off by pushing back the button, 

 and down runs the tackle to the bottom by mere force of its 

 own weight, the reel spinning round. A finger should be kept 

 on the rim of the reel to prevent it overrunning and to check it 

 altogether immediately the lead is felt to hit the bottom. After 

 a few seconds lift up the point of the rod and lower it again, 

 and see if the lead is keeping its position or is being carried 

 away by the current. Where there is much stream it will pro- 

 bably be necessary to pay out a few more yards of line, for 

 the current will gradually carry the tackle out at an angle with 

 the boat. It is possible, of course, to fish with such an extremely 

 heavy lead that the line hangs almost perpendicularly, but it 

 is far better to use a lighter lead. By letting out a few extra 

 fathoms of line the bottom will be held very well, particularly if 

 the line be fine. 



Having ascertained the proper lead and let out a sufficiency 

 of line, the check can again be put on the winch, and the rod 

 should be held over the water with a gentle strain on the line. 

 Unless the first fish is very small there will be no mistaking its 

 bite. Immediately the little tug tug conies at the top of the 

 rod, the angler should strike and proceed to reel up, and not on 

 any account draw in the line with his hands. 



Except where the tidal current is very strong, the ground - 

 bait net which I have described on page 133 should be used. 



K K 



