364 MODERN SEA FISHING 



anchovies. As marine ichthyologists hold the opinion that 

 the' sardine is identical with our pilchard, this latter fish could, 

 no doubt, be used in the same way. I have heard of officers 

 stationed at Gibraltar, unable to catch fish by any other means, 

 setting small trimmers for mullet and baiting them with paste, 

 and ground baiting or surface baiting the sea all around with 

 a mixture of breadcrumbs and water. 



With regard to paste, that made from bread is better than 

 the common flour paste. A piece as large as a pea will often 

 suffice, unless, of course, there are fish of from six pounds 

 upwards about. In the Channel Islands the chervin ground 

 bait (see p. 135) is used. Few ground baits are more attrac- 

 tive than pilchard guts, and pounded green crab should never 

 be forgotten. A large number of different hook baits have 

 been recommended, including shrimps and prawns, both boiled 

 and unboiled, but always peeled, pilchard guts, live ragworms, 

 cabbage, silkweed, wasp grubs, fat pork, tripe, and gentles. An 

 enormous mullet of about 12 Ibs. or 13 Ibs. was hooked by a 

 bass fisher at Tenby, who was baiting with ray's liver ; the fish 

 immediately ran out every inch of line, and then broke a 

 strong, treble-plaited gut trace. 



Generally speaking, mullet are caught more easily in salt 

 water than in the brackish water of estuaries, and the best of all 

 times to begin fishing is an hour before daybreak, if the tide 

 suits. Of course, in places where the tide runs strongly we 

 have to fish according to circumstances ; but wherever mullet 

 are found unapproachable in the daytime, very early morning 

 fishing should be tried. 



The little there is to be written concerning fly fishing for 

 mullet will be found on page 173. 



To any who would condemn sea fishing on account of the 

 ease with which the quarry are captured, may I respectfully 

 suggest a short course of mullet or big bass fishing ? 



