186 AN ANGLER'S YEAR 



hands are necessary, if one hooks a big fish. Many use 

 the combined ledger and paternoster, which may have 

 two hooks above and one below, or vice versa. (See 

 Fig. 39.) The use of this outfit is perfectly simple ; the 

 appropriate rig is chosen, and the hooks are baited ; if 

 for summer, with lug-worm, if winter, lug and sprat, the 

 lug being used on the bottom hook or hooks. If there is 

 a check on the reel it is taken off, the edge of the reel 

 held with the hand, and the weight and trace dropped 

 overboard, and the line allowed to run out, the forefinger 

 of the right hand skidding the edge of the reel. On 

 striking bottom a distinct knock will be felt, upon which 

 the check may be re-adjusted and the rod grasped just 



Fig. 40. The Kentish Boom Rig. 



above the reel in the left or right hand, according to 

 which side of the boat the angler is fishing, the butt of 

 the rod resting against the left hip. H^re a pneumatic 

 button will be found most useful to prevent over-pressure. 

 (See Fig. 41.) The grasping hand should control the 

 reel by pressing on the rim. On getting a bite (a sharp, 

 double knock for a whiting and a slow draw for a cod), 

 wind in any slack due to movement of boat, etc., and 

 strike firmly, not hard, and steadily wind against the fish, 

 being prepared to skid the edge of the reel if the fish be 

 powerful and run off line. Never, if possible, permit 

 slack line for an instant, as the flesh of these fish being 

 tender the hook soon enlarges the wound, if in the 

 mouth, and the hook works out. It is to be remembered 

 that no more lead should be used than will keep the bait 

 at the bottom, and it is as well that the lead should 



