266 



by cutting crossways with your knife under the lower 

 eye ; that is, when he has gorged it ; else it may be dis- 

 engaged in the ordinary manner. 



Of the Mackerel. 



These fishes appear on the coast during the spring, and 

 early part of summer : in weight they rarely exceed a 

 pound and an half, even when full of roe, which is during 

 the month of May in general, though sometimes later. 

 When you are among them, bait with a piece of raw 

 fresh salmon, or of any fish, or even with a bit of scarlet 

 cloth. 



You may use a__stiff rod to great advantage, but your 

 line must be all the Way strong, such as the China line 

 I have before mentioned j and your hook a very stout 

 short one, made expressly for the purpose ; roving is far 

 better than a standing bait, letting your line go about a 

 yard, or occasionally more, under water 3 though macke- 

 rel take very well from the surface. 



When you have a bite, give a little time j do not fear 

 to strike tolerably firm, but allow no play, and lift the 

 fish at once into your boat ; otherwise, the rest will be 

 alarmed, and become shy. I have caught great numbers 

 from the stern of a ship, by baiting with a piece of raw 

 lobster, or cray-Jish* 



Of the JFIdting. 



This fish is chiefly taken at about a mile or two from 

 the land, where they may be found., during the spring, 

 in very extensive shoals ; they rarely weigh more than a 

 pound j indee generally, scarce half so much 5 therefore 

 you must use tiie same tackle, and angle much in the , 



same 



