GEOTJND-LINE FISHING FOR POLLACK. 81 



just mentioned, beyond, perhaps, the fact that they bear small 

 leads at every two fathoms, which tell the fisherman how much 

 line he has let out. 



Concerning ground-line fishing for pollack and coalfish, 

 there is very little to be added to what has already been said 

 on the subject in Chapters lY. and Y. The paternoster 

 is the most useful tackle for the purpose, and the bait may 

 be pilchard entrails, or a piece of pilchard on shank of hook, 

 with the guts on the point. Ragworms and live shrimps are 

 also very good, and mussels will occasionally be taken. In 

 harbours and other places where fish run small, salmon gut 

 will be strong enough ; but where big fish are expected, double 

 salmon gut, or the Patent Gimp, will be advisable. Pollack 

 often gorge the bait, so a disgorger wiU be found necessary. 

 A good one is illustrated on page 33. 



Before concluding this chapter, let me repeat that the 

 tackle for pollack and coalfish must be strong and reliable; 

 that the fish must on no account be allowed to dive into the 

 weeds, but be given the butt unmercifully; that the angler 

 can hardly fish too near the bottom in the daytime ; and that 

 the living sand-eel is the most deadly bait. I have said 

 nothing as to the sizes of hooks, because they vary so with 

 the bait used and the size of fish expected. The largest 

 hook in the scale shown on page 17 is not too large for a 

 lOlb. pollack; but a smaller hook, if good, will hold him, and 

 more fish will be caught on it than on a large one if a small 

 bait, such as a live shrimp, is used. 



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