SEA FISHING 

 game, that 80 little is known of the really first-class sea fishing to be had 

 on the coast. In almost every estuary, the bahmin, or raos, takes the 

 place of our bass. It grows to about fifteen pounds, and strong tackle is 

 needed, the best baits being large live prawns or a small mullet or bomalo 

 (i.e. " Bombay duck "). During the cold weather, the bahmin may be 

 found in most estuaries along the Malabar Coast and at various spots 

 in Bombay Harbour, as well as along the Goromandel Coast and off Akyab, 

 all noted grounds for this sporting fish. October is, on the whole, the 

 best month for bahmin-fishing, and the best bags will be made when the 

 water is very clear. The above-mentioned seer, also known in parts of 

 India as surmi, is likewise caught in landlocked bays and estuaries, among 

 others Karachi Harbour, Colombo and Galle. Bahmin and nair are caught 

 in estuaries along the Malabar Coast, a small mullet being the most deadly 

 bait. The jumping habit of the bahmin has already been referred to. Like 

 so many fishes of tropical seas (the tarpon among them), it has a very 

 bony roof to the mouth, and is not, therefore, always securely hooked. 

 At any rate, a tight line must be kept on it. 



Another famous estuary fish of Indian seas is the begti, or dangara, 

 which grows to a weight of over eighty pounds, and is caught on summer 

 evenings. A small mullet, a large prawn, or a mud-fish is excellent bait, 

 the last-named being preferred when procurable. The reel should carry 

 at least two hundred yards of line and, as the fish has very sharp teeth, 

 the trace should be of twisted brass wire, with swivels. 



III. AFRICA 



Passing reference was made above to the sea angling at Tangier and 

 Tipasa. 



MOROCCO. There is fair sport at any of the seaports on the Atlantic 

 coast of Morocco. At Casablanca I have made large catches of mixed fish, 

 though the black -mouthed dogfish was usually too conspicuous to be 

 welcome. Further down the coast, at Mogador, there are plenty of bass 

 in summer, and they may be caught either trolling with artificial baits, 

 or bottom-fishing with sardine, prawn, or squid. 



LAGOS. Immense tarpon are to be seen close to the outer end of the 

 mole, and one weighing 107 lb. was quite recently caught on the rod. 

 There are also large barracoutas and horse-mackerel, and a small mullet 

 is the best all-round bait. 



403 



