METHODS OF FISHING 47 



" cod " end, rarely exceeds a hundred feet. To each / 

 end of the beam is attached a triangular trawl-head of ( 

 iron, which moves along the ground and serves to keep 

 the beam about three and a half feet above the ground. 

 These trawl crossheads are attached to the ship by 

 bridles and warp. 



The upper edge of the net is attached to the beam, the 

 lower edge being attached to a stout rope the foot- 

 rope the ends of which are made fast to the crossheads. 

 This foot-rope, being considerably longer than the beam, 

 sweeps along the ground abaft of the beam, to form a 

 deep curve known as the " bosom " of the net. The 

 result is that, when the foot-rope disturbs the fish so 

 that they leap to avoid it, the beam has passed on 

 overhead and they leap into the net. 



Pockets are formed in the sides of the net by lacing 

 the top and bottom together for about two-thirds of the 

 distance from the mouth of the net towards the cod end. 

 The mouth of a pocket is at the cod end of the net, so 

 that fish reaching the cod end and attempting to return 

 to the mouth of the net, generally enter the pockets. 

 A flap of netting suspended some distance inside the 

 mouth of the net serves as a valve. It is easily lifted 

 by the incoming fish, but tends to prevent their escape. 



The netting is of hemp, the mesh gradually increasing 

 from one inch at the cod end to about two inches near 

 the mouth, and is preserved with tar. 



When fishing, the vessel moves ahead at a steady, slow 

 rate of from two to three miles per hour, dragging the trawl 

 behind it. Smacks always trawl with the tide. If they 

 trawl against the tide, the net is lifted from the ground. 



During fishing the cod end is closed by the cod line, 

 but at the conclusion of the trawl the net is hoisted 

 aboard, mouth upwards, and the contents are discharged 

 upon the deck by drawing the cod line. 



