170 THB BASSE. 



on account of their sharp spines, whilst their gill covers will 

 cut like a razor, as I from experience can testify. 



If you are compelled to land him by hand, you must take 

 care first to tire him thoroughly out, and then as he lies on his 

 side exhausted on the surface, he should be grasped between 

 the caudal and anal fin with one hand, and by the muzzle with 

 the other, pressing the two hands towards each other, and so 

 throwing the fish abroad ; but this is not an infallible mode of 

 proceeding, as the fish sometimes by a violent effort contrives 

 to shake himself free, and therefore it should never be attempted 

 until he is completely subdued. 



The brass kill devil I have not yet had opportunity of trying 

 for basse, but I apprehend it would succeed admirably. I have 

 indeed heard that the cork or floating minnow is a very certain 

 bait, but as I never tried it myself, or saw its merits put to 

 the test, I can offer no further opinion on it. 



In addition to the baits above-mentioned, basse are some- 

 times taken with the father lasher, bull head, sprats, smelts, 

 pieces of herring and pilchard. They also feed on shrimps, small 

 crabs, and lug worms. 



A shrimp or rather a prawn is indeed cne of the best baits 

 that can be used for catching basse in rocky ground, particularly 

 such as are covered with the kelp weed, amongst which shrimps 

 and prawns are found to resort. 



The prawn should be baited by sticking the hook through the 

 last joint of the tail, and in this way it will live apparently little 

 the worse, hopping about very actively for a considerable time. 

 The places best adapted for it, are the shallow parts of sheltered 

 bays, where with a long rod you may fish from the shore. 

 The only time of tide adapted for it is the flood, and you should 

 shift your quarters as the tide rises, following the course of the 

 tide, and not fishing in too deep water. 



When fishing from rocks in the open sea, it is often a success- 

 ful plan to have a good stout and strong line, and as long a rod 

 as you can well manage ; and to the end of the line, have fixed 

 a lead plummet of about a quarter of a pound weight, above which 

 you must fix a couple or three hooks, tied to strong sneads one 

 above another. The lead must be cast out, and the line kept 

 tight with it, when a bite will easily be discovered, and you should 

 strike as soon as you feel it. 



