SEA FISHING 

 Once, however, the simplicity of such fishing is recognized, it is entitled 

 to respect as an exhilarating pastime which, as has been pointed out, 

 invests a sail with an interest otherwise lacking. 



Any number of lines can be used, up to six or eight, the number de- 

 pending merely on the accommodation on board and on the appetite 

 of the party for wholesale slaughter. The least unsportsmanlike method 

 is to use three, one on each quarter, and a lighter one over the stern. 

 These can be fished by three occupants, one line for each; but in boats 

 specially fitted out for " plummeting " (as it is called in Cornwall) there 

 is a projecting boom on either quarter, and with each of these two lines 

 can be kept clear of the rest and of each other. In the case of only three 

 lines, the length of line and weight of lead must be carefully adjusted 

 so as to avoid entanglement, and the guiding principle is that the heaviest 

 lines go nearest the bow, and the lightest and longest line goes over the 

 stern. The distance between the hook and the lead is also somewhat varied 

 so as further to obviate one line fouling the rest. The correct manner of 

 fishing is to use five lines, two on either quarter and one over the stern. 

 The lead used in Cornwall for "plummeting " is just a pyramid, having 

 at its apex a short length of tarred cord carrying a loop at one end. The 

 handline is made fast to the loop, and the fine line, with the hook, is 

 hitched round the other end. 



The best of all baits for this fishing is a small pear-shaped piece cut 

 from the side of the mackerel's tail. Each fish therefore furnishes just 

 two baits, and no more. This particular bait is in general use, and is 

 known as a " float " in Devonshire, as a " snade " in Cornwall, and as a 

 " last," or " laske," in Kent and Sussex. Simple as the cutting of the bait 

 looks, there is a right way of doing it, and the knife must be very keen, 

 so as to run just under the bright skin, without including too much of 

 the flesh. The hook is best baited by laying the bait flat on a cork, then 

 pushing the point of the hook through the pointed end and, with the aid 

 of a loop of the gut or line, pushing the bait well down on the bend of the 

 hook. The '* float " varies in size on different parts of the coast, but one of 

 two inches in length will be found useful. Its removal does not appreciably 

 injure the mackerel, and scores of the fish are sold in the market from 

 which baits have been cut in this way. The fisherman has, however, to 

 catch his mackerel before he can cut baits from it, and the first fish 

 of the day can usually be caught on one or other of the bright tin spinners, 

 or " files," sold by seaside ironmongers for the purpose. These artificial 



373 



