50 



ANGLINCJ} IN SALT WATER. 



fisliing, but it is only useful wliere the water is not deeper tlian 

 tlie rod is long. At greater depths, sliding floats may be used 

 (these slide down the line as the fish is pulled up, and allow the 

 line to be reeled in); but they do not always answer, and the 

 paternoster is preferable. One is shown in 

 Fig. 41. A piece of hog's bristle, which is 

 so long that it will pass through the rings 

 of the rod, but not through the rings on the 

 float, is tied on to the line. When fishing 

 with the live sand-eel for bass and pollack, a 

 float is a decided advantage; and if a fine silk 

 line is used, the bait can be let out with the 

 tide for a long distance. This is similar to the 

 Nottingham method of fishing, described in the 

 chapter on bass. When fishing on the bottom, 

 with float tackle, it is necessary to find the 

 depth, and fix the float so that the bait hangs 

 a few inches above the bottom. For this pur- 

 pose, the small plummet shown on page 34 

 should be fastened to the hook, and let down 

 to the bottom, and the float moved until the 

 top of it is a little below the surface. If the 

 tide is rising, it will be necessary to put the 

 float higher every half -hour ; if it is falling, 

 to put it lower. Drift-line fishing, without a 

 float, and with or without sinkers, may also be 

 practised from pier-heads when the tide is 

 sufficiently strong to take out the bait — sand- 

 eels, ragworms, or live shrimps. The angler 

 should always keep his eyes open for bass, 

 mackerel, and grey mullet, all of which, at 

 times, feed on the surface, and if he sees them, 

 angle for them after the methods described in 

 this book. Both flies and spinning-baits can 

 be cast from piers which are not too high, and even from 

 lofty piers fish may be taken by this means, if they are 

 swimming close to the piles. 

 Night fishing is often very successful, particularly for cod and 



Fig. 41. 

 Sliding Float, 



