DRUM FISHING. 125 



least fifteen fathoms of rope to his grapnel. His 

 line must be thirty fathoms, and furnished with two 

 pounds of lead, distributed in movable sinkers, which 

 draw up or let down, according to the strength 

 of the tide. He must lay in a good stock of crabs, 

 clams, and prawns, for bait ; and having launched 

 his boat on the bosom of this beautiful bay, and 

 come to anchor in about five or six fathoms water, 

 on gravelly or rocky bottom, he has now done 

 everything which can be considered as prere- 

 quisite to a successful fishing. Having baited his 

 hook with either or with a mixture of these differ- 

 ent baits (the prawn, though thirty years ago 

 unknown as a bait for drum, are decidedly the 

 best), let out your line until it keeps the bottom, 

 and stand prepared for a bite ! The unpractised 

 sportsman, who supposes that their bite will be in 

 proportion to their size and strength, will draw up 

 many a naked hook, before he draws a fish. They 

 approach cautiously, and almost as if they expected 

 a snare. As soon as you feel him certainly at your 

 hook, jerk with your utmost strength, and draw 

 quickly upon him, until you have fixed the hook 

 in his jaws. The instant he feels the smart he 

 dashes off with all his force : and this is the critical 

 moment for if you resist him too forcibly, he 

 breaks your tackle, or tears out your hook ! and if 



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