FROM YACHTS AND LARGE FISHING BOATS 275 



and defies the tide. With this gear it is as well to have hooks 

 to the number of a dozen or thereabouts, and the thing then 

 really resolves itself into a drift-trot. The illustration on p. 273 

 shows what is probably the heaviest hand line used by profes- 

 sional fishermen. It hails from the North Sea, Iceland and 

 Faroe. The hook, drawn full size in the illustration on p. 274, 

 should be noted. It has a little bright lead casting of a fish on 

 its shank. This the men believe adds to the attractions of 

 the bait. The plaited hemp, as I have explained elsewhere, 

 longer withstands the sharp teeth of 

 conger, ling, and shark than the ordi- 

 nary snood. 



It is impossible for 

 me to say what sized 



FOUR USEFUL-SIZED HOOKS 



hook should always be used, as that will depend on the avail- 

 able fish ; for flat fish it must be small, and for cod, pollack, 

 coalfish, haddock, and other roomy-mouthed members of the 

 Gadida, large. Hake fishing, which is usually done at night, 

 involves the use of a very large hook. In the illustration are 

 hooks of four very useful sizes, with which the yachting fisher- 

 man should certainly be provided. Those which are eyed 

 are certainly the most convenient. For soft-mouthed sea fish 

 I am very partial to what is known as the twisted Limerick. 



