384 MODERN SEA FISHING 



Of line fishing there are three kinds : first, railing, whiff- 

 ing, trailing, or plummeting, as it is variously called ; and much 

 difference of opinion exists among fishermen as to the best 

 gear to use for the purpose. I have illustrated and explained 

 the different forms of tackle on pages 277 to 281. Though 

 the ideas of fishermen vary considerably on the subject, there 

 is little to choose between the various gear, except that some 

 tow more steadily than others. 



The bait of baits is undoubtedly the laske, or last, which is 

 illustrated and explained on p. 107. Those who indulge much 

 in mackerel fishing should provide themselves with dried gurnard 

 or sole skin, to use as temporary laskes until a fish has been 

 caught. A bait which is sometimes used with success when 

 nothing better is forthcoming is a piece of tobacco pipe. Next 

 the hook should always be two or three yards of gut, medium 

 or stout according to the run of the fish, and the heavier and 

 .more clumsy the lead, the more distant from it should be the 

 bait in other words, the longer should be the snood. I need 

 only add that for small mackerel the small hook shown on 

 p. 261 should be used, while for larger fish the larger of the 

 two will be better. These seem large hooks for so small fish, 

 but the mackerel has a very big mouth, and the longer shank 

 is a great advantage in enabling the fisherman to unhook the 

 fish quickly. 



The management of the boat is, of course, important. In 

 the first place, it must be taken to the right fishing grounds ; and, 

 secondly, it should be sailed at the right speed, which can be 

 effected by carefully trimming the sails. The best time of the 

 day for fishing is from daybreak till about twelve o'clock. If 

 the wind is very light and the water clear, fish can be caught 

 on very fine tackle when they will not look at the ordinary gear 

 used by the fishermen. Under such circumstances the speed 

 will be low and a very light lead should be used. Whether 



