46 SEA FISH; 



other small fish. Excellent sport may often be had 

 by fishing with the rod (full length) from any con- 

 venient point or headland. The trace should be of 

 strong gimp, about a yard long, mounted with two 

 swivels ; hook, JN"o. 3 or 4 Limerick pattern, light 

 sinker, and large cork float. Bait: pilchard, pilchard 

 gut, launce, or mud- worms, or, in the absence of these, 

 mussels or shrimps may be at times used. They are 

 frequently taken high up large rivers emptying them- 

 selves into the sea, with the white fly spoken of under 

 the head " Mackerel," particularly the small or shoal 

 basse, as they are called by fishermen. The tackle for 

 basse fishing should be well examined and very securely 

 put together, as they are very powerful fish and fight 

 hard. Basse may be drawn together in considerable 

 numbers by sinking in a convenient spot, near where 

 they are known to frequent, a piece of old fishing net 

 containing a stone and as much fish entrails and offal 

 as can be conveniently managed ; fish about a foot 

 from the ground with either your rod or hand-line, 

 and the basse, duly assembled, will not be long in 

 paying you a visit. A gaff or landing net should be 

 kept at hand, as " weighing out " is always a risky 

 operation, and, with a basse of any size, not easy of 

 accomplishment. It is to be met with on the greater 

 part of both the southern coast of England arid 

 Ireland, depositing its spawn in the summer as near 

 fresh water as it can reach. 



