FROM YACHTS AND LARGE FISHING BOATS 285 



I had a day's bass fishing, which might have been a record 

 one, altogether spoilt by the clumsy and thoughtless behaviour 

 of some people in a small cutter, who worked about all over 

 the ground, sailing the yacht right through the shoals, and 

 frightening every fish to the bottom. They would have done 

 much better to have anchored and fished with drift lines in 

 the manner described in the previous chapter. 



This is all, I think, that need be said here concerning 

 whiffing, and fishing near the bottom, it being understood 

 that this chapter should be read in connection with the detailed 

 information given in other chapters in the book, particularly 

 the previous one and that on Baits. 



In the interest of the larder rather than of sport, a few 

 remarks may find place here on trots, long lines, bulters, or 

 spillers, which are practically synonymous terms, and the three 

 kinds of nets which are most used by yachtsmen. 



There are three kinds of long lines. The drift-trot is laid 

 along the bottom, and is weighted at one end. It is only of 

 advantage where the tide runs strongly. Another is also laid 

 on the bottom, but is weighted at both ends, and, if very 

 long, at intervals ; and the third, called a floating trot and 

 used for bass and other surface-swimming fish, is buoyed with 

 corks so as to keep it near the surface. 



How the unleaded end of the drift-trot is kept extended by 

 the current is shown in the illustration on the next page. The 

 lead should weigh from three to six pounds, according to the 

 tide. In a very strong tidal current a grapnel or small anchor 

 may with advantage be substituted for the lead. 



The size of the hooks, of which there may be twenty or 

 more on the drift or other trot, must depend on the fish 

 which are about ; if these happen to be inconsiderable whit- 

 ing and flat fish, obviously a small hook must be used. 

 If the fish vary from a few ounces to twenty pounds or 



