

SOUTH-WEST COAST FISHING STATIONS. 21 



There is much rocky ground between this place and Dart- 

 mouth, affording Conger, Pollack, and Bream-fishing, and 

 there are also two or three bays, with a smooth bottom, 

 abounding in Dabs and other fish. Pollack, and sometimes 

 Bass, may be met with off every rocky point between Berry 

 Head and Dartmouth. 



Dartmouth. Dartmouth is a fine deep harbour, and sea- 

 fish enter it in large numbers. Mackerel are found in it, and 

 Whiting-Pout, and also small Whiting late in autumn ; outside, 

 in the neighbourhood of the Mewstone, Blackstone, and other 

 rocks, Pollack may be taken, also at and just inside the East 

 Ledge Buoy and Homestone. With living Sand-Eels from 

 Slapton good sport has been obtained at Dartmouth. At the 

 inner part of the Mewstone several rocks above water jut out to 

 the westward ; here the shoals of Bass are found on the flood- 

 tide ; on the ebb they frequent the north-east side of this rock. 

 Two-thirds of a mile more east is the Eastern Blackstone, much 

 "frequented by shoals of Bass ; you will see the gulls hovering 

 when fish are abundant. During the summer and autumn months, 

 good fishing for Pollack, Bass, or Mackerel has often been had 

 by bringing the boat up, on the ebb, about fifteen yards inside 

 and abreast of this rock, and fishing with drift lines and living 

 Sand-Eel bait. When the Mackerel- are plentiful they will take 

 Pilchard gut well on a light line inside the harbour. Mussels 

 for ground-fishing at a shilling a basket are obtained from 

 Dittisham men, who bring them in their boats to the upper 

 New Ground steps, generally in the afternoon in summer. A 

 mile and a half outside the harbour, abreast of Blackpool Beach, 

 there is Whiting and other ground-fishing ; but the chief ground 

 is in the offing, the harbour entrance north, north by east, or 

 north by west, and Prawle Point, just open of the Start. Fish 

 at neap tides. Scarcely any Whiting fishing until middle of 

 July. This fishing-ground extends many miles. Pollack at 

 ebb tide at Kingswear jetty. 



Slapton Lake, Jack and Perch-fishing-. This lea or lake is 

 five miles by sea from Dartmouth, and between it and the sea 

 is a comfortable inn, the Sand's Hotel, the landlord of which 

 keeps boats on the lake, and supplies tackle and bait to visitors. 



