GROUND-FISHING FOR BASS. 139 



GROUND-FISHING FOR BASS. 



The Leger Line. There are several methods of ground - 

 fishing for Bass, of which the following is very useful, as it can 

 be practised from on shore with very simple tackle : 



Procure a strong fine Whiting-line and a leaden plummet 

 one pound in weight, which must be of a flattened form (p. 

 140) to prevent rolling, also a piece of an elder branch two 

 inches in length and J inch in thickness, bore out the pith, and 

 make a groove round the middle. N.B. A small cotton reel 

 with the rims at the ends cut off, will answer equally well. For 

 size of line see fig. n, p. 48, No. 3. 



Take a Cod-hook, i J inch from point to shank, and, having 

 cut off a piece of line 15 inches in length, make a knot on the 

 end and lay it on the inside of the hook, \ an inch below the 

 flattened top ; now bind the hook and piece of line firmly 

 together with some fine brass or copper wire, and hooking it 

 over a nail or some firm object, continue to wind the wire 

 round it close together over the whole piece of line, which will 

 have the appearance of a harp or violoncello string, pass the 

 end round the piece of elder wood in the groove, and bind it 

 fast with some thread, waxed with shoemaker's wax ; make a 

 knot on your line 18 inches from the end, and sliding up the 

 piece of wood secure it by another knot below ; it will now 

 revolve round the line by the wash of the water, and keep the 

 hook clear, in which the wire, by stiffening the snooding, will 

 much assist. 



The chief baits I can recommend for this fishing are Squid 

 and Cuttle-fish, which are very similar to each other and very 

 tough, so that there is little fear of their falling off the hook ; 

 they are to be procured from the fishermen. To bait, cut a 

 piece three inches in length by one and a half in breadth, pass 

 the hook through once; turn it over and pass the hook through 

 a second time. Fig. 43 shows a leger-lead, trace, and baited 

 hooks. Living or dead Sand-Eels are also good as bait, as 

 well as the Soft Crab. 



The lead is fastened securely to the end of the line by a 



