256 MODERN SEA FISHING 



purpose, because I want to keep the tackle as simple and free 

 from complications as possible ; but I should certainly regard 

 the pipe lead placed at the end of the line, with a swivel be- 

 low it, and then three or four yards of gut, single, double, or 

 treble (according to the size of the fish sought), as rather more 

 suitable, though I doubt if an extra fish would be caught by 

 its use. 



The most usual baits for this method of fishing are live 

 sand-eels, live rag-worms, and live shrimps. Dead baits will 

 also kill fish, but not nearly so well, and of these the best are 

 dead sand-eels and strips of squid, mackerel or bass skin. If 

 the bait is dead the fisherman should give a lively motion to 

 it by frequently jerking his line. The principal fish caught 

 are pollack, coalfish, bass, mackerel, and garfish. 



PIPE LEAD WITH HOOK SWIVEL 



This completes all I propose to say here respecting fishing 

 from a boat which is moored and as stationary as the motion 

 of the waves will allow it to be. When we come to deal with 

 the various kinds of fish, any special tackle and methods which 

 are incidental to their capture will be described. 



From a boat in motion, if we except casting the fly or bait 

 or drifting with the tide, there is only one method of fishing 

 railing or whiffing, which is very similar to what is known on 

 the Irish lakes as trolling, and in the South of England, and 

 particularly on the Thames, as trailing. There is this difference, 

 however that on the sea it is not nearly so necessary to use a 

 bait which spins as in fresh water. 



The first point which the would-be trailer, railer, whiffer, or 

 trailer, as he may like to call himself, should most thoroughly 



