269 



Of the Skate. 



These fishes abound towards the North of Scotland, 

 xvhere they are taken of a good size,, generally weighing 

 from six to twenty pounds. Some small ones come upon 

 our long shelving sands in the South, and take almost any 

 bait : they are prodigiously strong in the water, and re- 

 quire very soun<? tackle, as well as a great length of line. 



The rod is not at all proper for this sport. Your tackle 

 should be of the large description when the skates ran to 

 any size 5 otherwise the small line, &c. will answer very 

 well. 



Fish for them near to the bottom, and allow good 

 time j permit the fish to take out some yards of line be- 

 fore you strike : you may know them by a succession of 

 slight pulls, and at last a strong one with a quick run ~. 

 they are then pouching. Strike firmly, and manage in a 

 way suitable to the stress you feel. 



Tiie siate spawns in the spring, and is then in season $ 

 but they bite best when there is a smart breeze with a 

 little swell. If you should be far from land, and lay oa 

 the ground for skates (as is proper), you will require at 

 least 1 00 yards, or more, of excellent line, both on ac* 

 count of the deep water, and the necessity of giving good 

 play; for this fish sometimes weighs two or three hun- 

 dred weight. Take care how you handle &e long- 

 tailed skate, as he has a tremendous spine on the middle 

 of his tall : the wounds made by it are extremely dan- 

 gerous. 



N3 . Of 



