SEA FISHING FROM SMALL BOATS 



261 



Mackerel tackle, for use from small boats, is very simple : to the 

 end of your running line attach your Geen or similar lead, then 

 three or perhaps four yards of lake-trout gut, and at the end a 

 hook of a size between those shown in the illustration. The 

 best bait for mackerel is illustrated on p. 107. 



If the fish are large, plentiful, and biting freely, a large hook 

 is best, as it is speediest removed from the mouth of the fish. 

 But when the mackerel are shy a small hook is great medicine, 

 as I have proved times and oft. 



I have seen salmon gut and even twisted gut used for a 

 mackerel snood. This is absurd 

 when fishing with a rod from a row- 

 ing boat, for the fish only run from 

 a half to two pounds as a rule, and 

 may be caught with very light tackle. 

 In fine, calm weather fairly fine 

 tackle is a decided advantage, and 

 the value of silkworm gut in this 

 connection has been recognised by 

 hosts of professional fishermen, many 

 of whom never think of mackerel 

 fishing without a yard or two of gut 

 at the end of their snooding. 



For bass railing, either first-rate salmon gut should be used 

 below the lead and three yards l of it will not be too much 

 or else slightly lighter gut, double or treble. But these fish are 

 shy, and in bright, calm weather the angler will be well advised 

 to fish as fine as he dare. If he is an expert trout fisherman, 

 used to catching fish of three or four pounds on fine-drawn gut, 

 he will hardly need stout salmon gut to bring to boat a bass 

 of five or six pounds ; but, of course, if he is not accustomed 



13 



MACKEREL HOOKS 



1 A trace thus constructed is unsuitable for casting out. For that purpose 

 the lead must be at the most four feet from the bait. J. B. 



