AMERICAN METHOD OF MACKEREL FISHING. 93 



already described, and worked vigorously in the water, to 

 make it as life-like as possible. 



"When mackerel are close in shore, during the early autumn, 

 they may often be taken from pierheads and in harboiu's in 

 the manner just described, and more during the night than 

 the day. In these positions ground-bait should be used, pil- 

 chard or herring refuse being the best. It can be let down 

 in a net close to the bait, and the cord shaken occasionally. 



American mackerel fishermen use ground-bait largely, having 

 mills in which herrings are pounded up for the purpose. When 

 the mackerel have been attracted together, a bright metal fish, 

 well armed with hooks, is let down among them and jigged 

 about; it is eagerly taken by the fish. 



So much, then, for what to do. A few lines on what not to do, 

 and the chapter is at an end. Do not, when yachting with a 

 friend, and his beautiful craft is making her eight knots an 

 hour — do not then get out the spinning rod, and a trace 

 bearing a ^oz. lead, and patiently sit watching your spoon- 

 bait skip from wave-top to wave-top, as the yacht dashes 

 through the water. Rather, if your friend wants a fish or 

 two, induce him to shorten sail and to take a very slow turn 

 across the tide, you, meanwhile, having either put a ilb. lead 

 on your trace, or prepared a hand-line, bearing a lead 

 weighing lib. or more, according to the pace at which the 

 yacht is going. On meeting with fish, change the artificial 

 for a "last," and sail through the shoal backwards and for- 

 wards as long as possible. If your friend won't reduce sail 

 at your request, some good may be done with a very strong 

 hand-line and a 51b., or even heavier, lead. 



j*-^-^ 



