AND HOW TO CATCH THEM. 33 



which it will be my duty to describe to the reader. 

 Of all the modes adopted for the capture of our lively 

 striped little friend, perhaps the most enjoyable is that 

 known as "whiffing," which is thus practised. A 

 good staunch sailing boat should be procured, and a 

 day chosen when a light breeze of wind, known 

 amongst sailors and fishermen as a " mackerel breeze," 

 is blowing. The boat should be tacked forward and 

 back, over the best ground, at the rate of about from 

 two to three miles an hour. The line should be of round 

 plait, prepared size No. 7 ; length, twenty-five yards ; 

 mounted as shown in woodcut. Two lines of this 

 description can be easily managed by those accustomed 

 to this kind of fishing ; but for a novice, one well 

 attended to will make a far better return than two in- 

 differently handled ; the sinker, A, will vary in weight 

 according to the depth the fish are found to lie, from 

 half an ounce to five ounces, which may be doubled 

 if needed. The mode of making these, and marking 

 their sizes, will be spoken of under the head " Sinkers," 

 as will be the method of fastening them to the lines, 

 and to each other, when increase of weight is wanted 

 from tide, &c. The bait will consist of a long narrow 

 strip cut from the side of the tail of a mackerel, 

 known by fishermen as a " lask." It is cut tapering, 

 to resemble a small fish, and is secured to the hook 

 by the large end, through which the hook should pass 

 backwards and forwards twice ; the bait or baits should 

 be kept in constant motion by gently drawing the 



