25* 



MODERN SEA FISHING 



longer line (i.e. snood) below the lead than seems to be re- 

 quired in fresh water. 



Of leads there are many patterns, but the best of them are 

 those the centre of gravity of which is below the level of the 

 line. The old system was to have the trace running through 

 the centre of the lead. Swivels notwithstanding, twisting and 

 kinking of the line above the lead frequently took place. 

 Now that the lead nearly always hangs below the level of the 

 line, the lead does not turn over, and kinking above it is im- 

 possible, unless a very powerful spinning bait is being used and 

 the swivels are not in working order. In the event of none of the 

 specially designed leads being available, the ordinary pipe lead 

 can be adapted by placing a short piece of gut, gimp, or line 



A MODERN TRACE LEAD 



through it and lashing the two ends on to the trace. It will 

 then be below the level of the line and effectually stop kinking, 

 assuming that there are any swivels beyond the lead. Sea fisher- 

 men have been aware of the advantage of this arrangement for 

 generations. The late Mr. Francis Francis introduced a lead of 

 the kind into freshwater fishing, and his ideas were still further 

 perfected by Mr. Cholmondeley Pennell, whose excellent leads 

 for pike fishing are well known. The above illustration shows 

 a first-rate lead for spinning traces, greatly favoured by fresh- 

 water anglers ; but what is perhaps a still greater improvement 

 has been introduced by Mr. Geen, in whose invention, as will 

 be seen from the illustration opposite, the swivels and leads 

 are one. 



When fishing for pollack it is very often desirable to vary the 



