154 AN ANGLER'S YEAR 



and is released by the pull of the fish and runs down to 

 the trace, thus allowing of the fish heing winched in 

 (see Fig. 34). This is made by Messrs. Carter & Co. 



When a good fish is hooked, if he be a pollack, try and 

 keep him out of the bottom at all risks ; while, if he be 

 a bass, he will run like a salmon and any check at first 

 will be fatal. I have seen strong twisted gut snapped 

 like packthread. The fish, especially in the neighbour- 

 hood of Rame Head, Bindown way (pronounced Bin-on), 

 run very large, one day's catch in 

 September, 1899, (two anglers) 

 being 15 pollack, ISOlbs; best 

 fish 14|lbs. Twenty sea-bream 

 and a shark were taken, but were 



not counted. 



Fig. 34. Hyde's Poiiack- . As regards bass, the best catch 

 ing Lead. with rod and line has never 

 equalled the professional hand- 

 liners, one fisherman taking ten good fish in an evening. 

 The writer's best bass was just upon 91bs. and strange 

 to say was taken near the point of Looe Island, on the 

 pollack ground. 



If the angler should get tired of the big fish, or should 

 the weather prove unfavourable, grand sport can be had 

 with the light rod and drift line for mackerel, gar-fish 

 and small pollack. The method pursued is exactly the 

 same as for the large fish, save and except that single 

 gut replaces treble, the hook is Minchin's whiting size, 

 the bait is a slice of pilchard, back and belly. With this, 

 very little or no lead need be used. Grand sport may be 

 enjoyed if a light Nottingham or fly rod be also substi- 

 tuted for the more clumsy weapon suitable for the big 

 fish. I may say that, being imbued with the teaching 

 of Wilcocks, we tried living sand-eels, rag-worms, &c., as 

 alternative baits but found nothing to beat pilchard. 

 Everything on land and sea in this part lives on pilchard. 

 In fact it is the chief thing which strikes one on arriving 

 at Looe, and the reek remains as meat and drink all 

 through the visit. All sea-anglers, no doubt, love 

 Wilcocks' " Sea Fisherman " (certainly all angling writers 



