BASS AND MULLET 205 



floats. When the ti'de turns on the flood, or/to 

 be accurate, a little later, the position of the boat 

 is changed, and it is then moored between two posts 

 opposite, so that the current, now making towards 

 West gate, carries the floats in the contrary direc- 

 tion over the same swim. As soon as the moorings 

 are fast, Bob sets solemnly to work kneading the 

 ground-bait in great balls, as used by anglers on 

 inland waters, and the rest of the party put their 

 tackle together. The rods are ten feet long and 

 of hollow cane, fitted moreover with large rings, 

 so that the fine silk line (which has previously 

 been treated with boiled vaseline) may run with- 

 out hitch. The reels are of medium diameter, 

 wooden and Nottingham pattern. These mullet- 

 doctors never use the check, whether from the 

 fear of frightening the sensitive fish or not was not 

 explained. A slider-float is used, and a small 

 rubber band prevents it from running too far up 

 the line. The hook is a number 3 Crystal, and 

 two or three small leads are pinched on the gut 

 immediately above it, just sufficient to cock the 

 float. 



The ground bait is now ready, and a large ball 

 is dropped in front of each angler, who, having 

 carefully plumbed the depth and adjusted his 

 float so that the hook swims three or four inches 

 from the bottom, baits it with paste and sets his 

 float adrift on its first swim. 



