269 



Of the Skate. 



These fishes abound towards the North of Scotland, 

 where they are taken of a good size, generally weighing 

 from six to twenty pounds. Some small ones come upon 

 our long shelving sands in the South, and take almost any 

 bait : they are prodigiously strong in the water, and re- 

 quire very sound tackle, as well as a great length of line. 



The rod is not at all proper for this sport. Your tackle 

 should, be of the large description when the skates run to 

 any size 5 otherwise the small line, &c. will answer very 

 well. 



Fish for them near to the bottom, and allow good 

 time ', permit the fish to take out some yards of line be- 

 fore you strike : you may know them by a succession of 

 slight pulls, and at last a strong one with a quick run : 

 they are then pouching. Strike firmly, and manage in a 

 way suitable to the stress you feel. 



The skate spawns in the spring, and is then in season ; 

 but they bite best when there is a smart breeze with a 

 little swell. If you should be far from land, and lay on 

 the ground for skates (as is proper), you will require at 

 least 1 00 yards, or more, of excellent line, both on ac- 

 count of the deep water, and the necessity of giving good 

 play -, for this fish sometimes weighs two or three hun- 

 dred weight. Take care how you handle the lorig- 

 tailed skate, as he has a tremendous spine on the middle 

 of his tail : the wounds made by it are extremely dan* 

 gerous. 



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