THE MACKEREL. 123 



times it is taken in the Channel, although it is not abundant, 

 but becomes more numerous to the northward. On the banks 

 of Newfoundland it is a very unwelcome visitor, and is often 

 cut adrift by the fishermen, when it does not escape by its own 

 strength. 



It is common on the NW. American coast, and is there 

 taken with Squid or sucker-bait, on a line floated with inflated 

 bladders, a large trimmer in fact, after which it is speared. In 

 the London market it often fetches lod. or is. per Ib. 



THE MACKEREL. 



(Scomber scombrus. ) 



This well-known fish is taken in large numbers by seine 

 and drift-nets (see pp. 232, 247), and affords excellent sport 

 with hook and line ; it is taken by the latter in considerable 

 quantities between April and September, but the best fishing is 

 in July and August. They are usually caught from a sailing- 

 boat during a fresh breeze, thence called a Mackerel-breeze, 

 when the boat has good way through the water ; but in calm 

 weather a light rowing-boat is often had recourse to with much 

 success, when the fish are abundant. 



Sailing-boat for Mackerel-fishing. A sailing boat for 

 Mackerel-fishing should not draw more than 4 feet water, for 

 long experience has shown the fishermen that those of moderate 

 size take, during the season, more fish than the larger, possibly 

 because they disturb the water to a less depth than others of 

 a heavier draught, and consequently do not excite so much 

 apprehension among the fish. On the other hand, a boat may 

 be too small, and I would therefore recommend one of about 

 5 tons, 8 feet beam, and 21 or 22 feet over all, as the most 

 advantageous size, figured and described as the Itchen river 

 rig (fig. 83, p. 261). The minimum size for this fishing I would 

 limit to 15 feet over all, because if smaller they will not make 

 sufficient headway in disturbed water. On different parts of 

 the coast boats of varied form and rig will be met with, each 

 supposed to be adapted to the exigencies of its particular locality. 

 Any fore-and-aft rigged boat is fit for Mackerel-fishing, sup- 



