282 MODERN SEA FISHING 



On p. 261 I have given an engraving of two hooks, one for 

 use in places where the mackerel are small, the other for large 

 mackerel. On the question of baits I must refer the reader to 

 page 107, and merely say here that quite the best is a triangular 

 piece of skin cut close to the tail of a mackerel. It is not 

 well to sail too fast when mackerel fishing ; about three knots 

 an hour is quite fast enough, and sail must be reduced if 

 necessary. 



In reeling, railing, or whiffing ' for pollack to turn to 

 another subject considerable judgment is required. With 

 regard to the lead, the lighter it is the better, certainly, 

 provided that by letting out plenty of line the bait can be 

 brought near the bottom. But in the evening time, when the 

 fish come to the surface, a lead of a few ounces will answer very 

 well. For both pollack and bass fishing from a sailing boat I 

 have been using lately a lead brought me by a friend from 

 Norway. I have also found it a good piece of gear for mackerel 

 fishing. It is sufficiently explained by the illustration. It tows 

 very steadily, and probably would not frighten the fish so much 

 as some other forms of lead. It inclines to the shape of a 

 somewhat dumpy sea-boat. 



The snood for pollack or bass must, of course, be very 

 much stronger than that used for mackerel. It must be some- 

 thing which will not only hold a fish of 25 Ibs., but that will 

 .stand the sudden jerk when the fish seizes the bait. It is never 

 safe when pollack or bass fishing to make fast the line ; for 

 even if a large fish does not break the snood, the hook tears 

 out. As tending to moderate some of the suddenness of the 

 pull, the use of really good horsehair or two-strand cotton lines 



1 These terms are used indiscriminately by fishermen, and there are other 

 local words meaning much the same thing. I have seen it asserted, however, 

 that whiffing is more properly applied to trailing a line after a boat which is 

 being rowed, while reeling or railing is the same process carried on from a 

 yacht or other sailing vessel. J. B. 



