312 FISHES AND FISHING 



when loosely packed to the depth of i or 2 feet, and 

 the small pools or wet hollows under them examined, 

 from half-tide mark downwards ; hollows or pools 

 under the shelter of growing weed or rocky ledges 

 should also be searched with a hand net (see 



P-334)- 



Larger rock-pools can be similarly searched by dint 

 of wading, or, if too deep for this, by dangling a bait 

 upon a small hook in front of likely looking hollows 

 and crevices, the fisherman being careful to keep 

 himself out of sight. 



The roots of such seaweeds as have large tangled 

 and bulbous roots will often repay examination, and 

 are not infrequently selected as nesting sites by some 

 fishes. 



On sandy and muddy shores and estuaries the best 

 spots for searching are the pools and runnels left by 

 the receding tide, preferably such as from their situa- 

 tion alter little in depth and position from tide to tide. 

 The hand net already alluded to can be used in such 

 localities, as can any form of shrimp net. 



Below tide-marks and in shallow water, sandy and 

 muddy ground can be efficiently searched with almost 

 any form of shrimp net or shrimp trawl (see p. 295), 

 or by a tuck net or hauling seine (see p. 340) , according 

 to the depth ; especial attention should be paid to 

 beds of sea grass or weed, and to the immediate 

 neighbourhood of ledges or patches of rock. 



As the water deepens, recourse must be had to larger 

 and heavier trawls (see pp. 295-305), which can be 

 used on any ground not so uneven or rough as to 

 prevent the ground rope gripping the bottom or to tear 

 the net. 



The weed-covered sides of piers and quay-walls will 

 often prove excellent hunting grounds if carefully 



