SEA FISHING 

 Skate are plentiful enough in our seas, and very large specimens of 

 over one hundred pounds have been killed on the rod at Valentia and 

 Ballycotton. Personally, I am not addicted to skate-fishing, as I would 

 as soon look for sport from a waterlogged sailing boat, and a halibut of 

 half the weight would give twice the sport. For those who like such fishing, 

 however, there are few difficulties. Skate are not much more fastidious 

 than their cousins, the sharks, and any large hook baited with lugworm, 

 herring, or mackerel, backed by tackle strong enough to raise a drowned 

 horse, should answer the purpose. It seems to be chiefiy in Irish waters 

 that the best of skate -fishing is to be looked for, particularly within reason- 

 able distance of shore. These fish are plentiful enough in the English 

 Channel, and very large examples are caught at Penzance. It is surprising 

 how abundant these little skate are right at the edge of the sea. While 

 making some experimental hauls not long ago with a shore seine on the 

 south coast of Devon, I took scores of little skate in company with 

 mackerel, pilchards, gurnards, plaice, dabs, weevers, and the usual mis- 

 cellany of crabs, squid and other treasure trove of the foreshore. Indeed, 

 as a means of combining healthy exercise with the novelty and excite- 

 ment of a varied catch, there is, so long as it is done in moderation, and 

 with scrupulous regard for the duty of throwing back all undersized 

 fish alive, something to be said for an afternoon's seining. 



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