BAITS PROPER FOR EELS. 101 



your line This is the way the fishermen, on various parts 

 of the sea coast, lay their short lines called tro ts. In regard 

 to bait for Eel lines, after much practise and experience, 

 I can aver, that worms are the least to be depended on for 

 killing large Eels, and that when the angler lays in large 

 rivers, or tide rivers, if he can procure small Gudgeons, 

 Dace, Bleak, large white Minnows (the minnows should not 

 be with spawn) and lamprey Eels, he then possesses the best 

 and most killing baits. I have killed a great many large 

 Eels in docks, among shipping, and also in ponds, by baiting 

 my night lines with chickens guts, which I first parboil, and 

 then sprinkle with salt ; and also with boiled salt beef, 

 which 1 cut in shape like a fish before I put it on my hook. 

 Some anglers think fish object to every thing salt, but 

 this opinion is erroneous, for I have had excellent sport 

 when I have laid my fish baits, that have not been touched 

 the first night, on the second night, having let them lay 

 separate all day, first having sprinkled them with salt. 



Note. In choosing Eel hooks, prefer the single ones 

 whose shank is similar to the kirby hook, to those which 

 have a loop shank ; because when baited, especially with 

 a worm, it tares the bait less, and also is less likely to be 

 felt while the Eel is swallowing it. And further observe, 

 to choose hooks that are narrow in the bend, and never 

 use them too large ; for hooks well manufactured and of 

 good shape, of the sizes No. 6, for baiting with fish, or 

 those of No. 7, single for worms, will kill Eels of any size, 



