Popular Bottom Sea Fish 



well over the flats; at low tide they gather together 

 in the centre of channels. Their mouths are very 

 small, and as they would be unable to seize and 

 kill otlier fish, they never come to the surface in 

 search of their prey, as do the large-mouthed plaice. 



If the angler does not succeed in getting bites, 

 it often happens that the fish lie buried in the mud, 

 so that if the bottom is raked with the anchor 

 or with the oar it will often stir them up to take 

 the bait; and if the sinker is a heavy one and gets 

 embedded, move it around to stir up 

 Hookr^" the bottom. The hooks should be 

 small, and placed within a few inches 

 of the sinker. The best baits are sand worms, 

 clams, and mussels. 



There is very little sport in landing flounders, 

 because they rarely attain a weight of over two 

 pounds, but they make up in numbers what they 

 lack in weight, and the angler more often than 

 not fills his basket with this toothsome little fish. 

 If fried when fresh, they are equal to any salt- 

 water fish in sweetness and nutriment. 



The rod is of little service in flounder fishing. 

 Hand lines are invariably the rule; just a simple 

 line, snelled hook, and sinker. No leader is re- 

 quired. Two or three hooks may be attached 

 if the fish are plentiful, and it is not uncommon 

 for three fish to be hauled in at 

 Bottom"''''''' once. All the hooks should, how- 

 ever, be as near the sinker and the 

 bottom as possible; for that reason a small wire 

 spreader can be attached whereby the three 

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