12 SEA-FISHING AND HYDROGRAPHY. 



to procure bait, and the very precise marks at times requisite 

 for Pout-fishing. This, however, should not prevent your 

 informing yourself as to the general features of the harbour, 

 coast-line, and offing, which the chart or plan will afford, thus 

 gradually rendering you independent of external aid, and bring- 

 ing you acquainted with various ground which might otherwise 

 escape your notice. Let us suppose a stranger visiting 

 Plymouth, tolerably acquainted with sea-fishing and desirous 

 of taking Pollack ; on referring to his chart, he will find many 

 suitable grounds, namely, for shore-fishing in the east corner of 

 Millbay, at the mouth of the stream for Smelts, off the pier or 

 pontoon for Pollack and Mullet, and at Flat Rock for Pollack 

 on flowing tide. 



The entrance gates of the Great Western Docks are much 

 frequented for Grey Mullet angling. 



For boat-fishing, round the Cobbler Buoy at the entrance 

 of Catwater, either whiffing or moored, for Pollack ; and other 

 places too numerous to mention. (See Plymouth, p. 22.) 



The advantages of an intimate acquaintance with local 

 charts are incalculable, for having first made yourself acquainted 

 with the habits of fish, you will thereby be enabled to determine 

 their haunts. 



GEAR OR TACKLE REQUIRED IN SEA-FISHING. 



This varies much in different localities ; instead therefore 

 of giving a long list of articles, I shall just mention a few lines 

 which will be useful everywhere, leaving my readers to gather 

 from the following pages what will meet their requirements, 

 according to the kinds of fish of which they may go in quest. 

 The few following lines &c. are far from expensive, and may 

 be obtained from any sea-fishing tackle manufacturers. The 

 materials of sea-fishing gear, viz. lines, snoods, and hooks, can 

 be purchased at almost all sea-side towns and villages, but 

 places where really good gear is sold ready fitted for use are 

 yet very few and far between, practical information on this 

 subject being far from as widely diffused as is desirable. 



The amateur had better therefore provide two lines for 



