GROUND-FISHING FOR BASS. 141 



risk of the hooks catching the fingers. A couple of joints of 

 an old fishing-rod, with a forked wood plug at the end, make 

 an excellent throwing-stick. This kind of throwing-stick is in 

 frequent use at Lowestoft 



Every few minutes you should haul up and clear off any 

 drifting weed which may have become attached to your lines. 



The Bass feed best in rough weather and disturbed water, 

 and will approach the shore when the waves are breaking six or 

 seven feet high ; in fact, in fine bright clear weather it is a loss 

 of time to try for them, but when the weather is rough and 

 squally, and it is not prudent to venture afloat, this sport may 

 be followed with much success. 



On open exposed shores it frequently happens that even in 

 fine weather there is a considerable surf on the beach ; if, there- 

 fore, there be any favourable point of rock or steep part of the 

 beach from which you may cast your line clear of the breakers 

 you will have a reasonable chance of sport. 



Bass and other fish seek out the mouths of rivers along the 

 coast ; always therefore give these spots a trial. Spring tides 

 generally answer best, and from half flood to half ebb. If there 

 is much floating weed, from half an hour before to half an hour 

 after high water will alone suit, but, if abundant, even in this 

 short time many may be landed. 



When fishing with two lines be careful to secure one whilst 

 you hold the other, or you will very likely lose your tackle if 

 you hook a large fish. 



If you are likely to follow this kind of fishing much, I would 

 recommend you to procure a piece of holly or beech wood, 18 

 inches long and an inch in diameter, shod with an iron point at 

 the bottom, and having a ring or ferrule at the top ; this you 

 can drive into the sand or shingle, and wind the line on when 

 you give up your sport. I do not recommend more than one 

 hook for each line, unless you use a throwing-stick, in which 

 case a second may be placed 18 inches above the first, which 

 should be attached a foot only above the lead. Nos. 4 and 

 5, fig. 62, for ground-fishing with Squid or Cuttle bait ; with 

 smaller hooks, No. 8 ; fig. 63, p. 211 you may bait with a Sand- 

 Eel and use half a dozen hooks, but the Squid and Cuttle are 



