SEA FISHING FROM SMALL BOATS 267 



expensive, is a hair line best because of its elasticity. The 

 comparative sizes of hand and other lines are illustrated in the 

 following chapter. 



The lighter the lead the better, so long as it will keep the 

 tackle near the bottom. As a general rule, immediately a bite 

 is felt, the fisherman should haul in the line, hand over hand, 

 letting it run over the gunwale of the boat, which helps to play 

 the fish, and scrapes off a good deal of the water which would 

 otherwise come inboard. 



The snooding or portion of the tackle immediately next the 

 hook must be a good deal stronger than if a rod is used, 

 for though an expert is able to play a fish with his hands to 

 a certain extent, it is impossible to prevent sudden strains and 

 jerks which are certain to break light tackle. When using a 

 hand line I much prefer a strong twisted gut paternoster at 

 the end of it to a Kentish rig, but if the fish run small, 

 say 3 Ibs. or less, the hook links should be of single gut. I 

 have seen both Kentish rig and paternoster worked on hand 

 lines from the same boat. More fish were killed on the pater- 

 noster than on the professional gear. 



On the whole, I am inclined to think that to knock about 

 in a small boat, with a skilful boatman and a good supply of 

 the right bait, yields as much amusement as any to be obtained 

 from sea fishing. The sport is far more certain than that 

 obtained from pierheads or rocks, and it is a great convenience 

 to be able to carry all one's tackle and sundry impedimenta 

 about without difficulty. 



In a sailing vessel we are entirely dependent on the wind, 

 though, on the other hand, there is the advantage of fishing 

 more distant grounds which it would not be safe to venture 

 upon in the small open boat. There is, of course, that poetry 

 of motion which is not thoroughly appreciated by the great 

 majority ; but, as I have pointed out, there are many inlets of 



