CTJTTLE FISH AND EAETHWOBMS. 37 



earthenware pots, old saucepans, &c., to the number of 200 

 or 300, placing tliem on the shore between half tide and low 

 water mark, so arranged that a small hole is left for the crab 

 to enter. By this means, baits are always available to the 

 angler — or someone else. Soft crabs are the best known baits 

 for flounders, and in brackish water fresh-water eels and bass 

 take them greedily. They are rather tough, and not easily 

 taken off the hook by fully-fledged individuals of their own 

 species. 



The Hermit, or Soldier Crab, passes a hermit-like 

 existence in shells belonging to departed whelks. The soft, 

 tail portion, is a good bait, used whole, for pout and haddock. 

 Occasionally, cod will take it. These crabs may be obtained 

 from trawlers and the owners of lobster-pots, and a few are 

 generally to be found among the rocks near low water mark. 



Cuttle Fish. — This is the most ugly bait the angler in salt 

 water is likely to be concerned with. The body consists of a sort 

 of pouch, from which spread out a number of long arms, fur- 

 nished with suckers arranged in rows. They frequently take 

 the bait intended for other fish, and on being brought to the 

 surface should be promptly gaffed, and then pressed under water 

 again until they have expended the means of defence which 

 Nature has given them — a bag of ink-like fluid, which clouds 

 the water around them. A useful gaff for hooking up this 

 fish is made by lashing a large fish hook, or triangle of hooks, 

 with the barbs filed off, on to a stick. As a bait the cuttle is 

 very valuable, being not only liked by many fish, but possess- 

 ing such a degree of toughness that it is not easily washed or 

 bitten off the hook ; for fishing in a strong current it is very 

 suitable. Bass, cod, and conger most favour this bait; but 

 it is taken by many other fish. In fishing for haddock, it is 

 an excellent plan to place a piece of cuttle on the hook, 

 tipping the point with a mussel. 



Earthworms. — Large lobworms are used for trailing for 

 pollack when nothing better can be obtained {see page 29), and for 

 ground fishing in hrackish water. They should be tried when 

 ragworms cannot be obtained. They can be picked up in great 



