98 ANGLING IN SALT WATER. 



good takes of these eels, it is necessary to fish off a rocky- 

 coast, such as that of Cornwall or the North of Scotland. 

 Angling in the ordinary sense of the word is out of the ques- 

 tion, for extremely strong tackle has to be used to dislodge the 

 fish from their strongholds, where they often manage to retire 

 on being hooked. Stout ordinary ground-lines are used, the 

 Kentish rig {see Chapter lY.) being as good as any. The hooks 

 for this fishing must be strong in the wire, and of considerable 

 size, not less than half as large again as the largest hook 

 figured on page 17. On the length of snooding, between the 

 hook and the spreader, should be one very strong brass swivel. 

 Unless the bottom is sand, the baits are fished near, but not 

 on, the bottom. I need hardly say that, fishing for big congers 

 being nearly always done from a boat, a fisherman who knows 

 the marks of the best grounds must accompany the amateur. 

 The best sport is obtained on dark nights. Though a voracious 

 fish, the conger is rather particular in his baits — they must 

 be soft and fresh. Squid is probably the best, being closely 

 followed by pilchards, sprats, herrings, and mackerel. The 

 principal bones should be taken out of fish baits, and squid 

 should be beaten to make it tender. A very strong gaff is 

 necessary to land a conger, and the fish should be stunned 

 by repeated blows on the head and near the tail with a short 

 staff kept for the purpose. Never hold up a conger — 

 or, indeed, any other eel — by the line. The portion of the 

 fish which is eatable is from the neck downwards for a 

 few inches. In the hands of a skilful cook much can be 

 done with it, and it has been whispered that there are 

 vendors of real turtle soup who make large purchases of 

 sea eels. 



The Dab is a small, flat fish, found in most of our harbours, 

 estuaries, and sheltered bays, of which the bottom is sand or 

 mud, and, indeed, on most sandy bottoms round our coasts. 

 It is often mistaken for the flounder, but may be known by 

 being rough on the back and clear looking. Dabs are excel- 

 lent eating, especially in the spring, when they are in their 

 best condition. The tackle to use for them is the leger; 

 the gut may be fine, and the hook about 'No. 7 or No. 8. 



