102 THE TROTTER'S GUIDE. 



while larger hooks tear, or mutilate the bait, and standing 

 rank frequently cause alarm or suspicion in Eels, and 

 they then often suck part of the bait away, but very 

 seldom suffer the hook to cotne within their mouths. I have 

 seen pieces of sharp blackthorn tied to Eel lines, same as 

 a needle is to a sniggling line, and baited with smallish 

 worms, laid at night in the Thames, and both Eels and 

 flounders caught with them, which is done by the thorn 

 getting across the throat or stomach of the Eel or Flounder. 



Note. The proper time to lay or put single or chain 

 lines in the water for Eels, &c. is just as the sun is setting; 

 at which time, large Eels in particular, begin to move from 

 their holes, or other places of shelter, in search of food ; 

 therefore, according to the number of baited hooks you 

 intend laying, begin to bait them in time, because it takes 

 a considerable time to bait some score of hooks, and it is 

 necessary they should be in the water at sun set. for you 

 must know that the fore part of the night is better than 

 the latter; and as I have before observed, the sooner after 

 twelve o'clock the lines are taken up the better. 



