176 THE GURNARD. THE CONGER. 



. Great numbers are taken with the trawl-net as well as by 

 hook and line. When fishing for Whiting they are frequently 

 hooked, and occasionally also the Sapphirme Gurnard (Trigla 

 hirundo], provincially known as the Piper or Tub, which 

 reaches to the length of two feet and to four or five pounds, or 

 an even greater weight. This large variety makes an excellent 

 dish when stuffed with veal stuffing, and baked with gravy or 

 butter. The Grey Gurnard (Gurnardus griseus) is usually 

 smaller than the Red, and is often caught when sailing for 

 Mackerel, particularly when the wind falls light and the lines 

 sink more deeply in the water. The two smaller varieties of 

 Gurnards are much used by the fishermen as baits for Crabs, 

 Lobsters, Cray-fish, and Prawns. 



All the varieties of Gurnards have a square form of head, 

 the projections of which are of sharp ragged bone ; these, 

 together with the back fin, must be guarded against in un- 

 hooking them. 



The Gurnards take well all the baits used for Whiting and 

 Mackerel, including flies and spinners. 



THE CONGER. 



(Conger vulgar is.} 



The Conger is the largest of the Eel tribe, sometimes 

 reaching 100 Ibs. in weight ; it is found in all the British Seas, 

 and taken both by hand-lines and trots or bulters. It is to be 

 searched for on or close to rocky ground, although not ex- 

 clusively found there, as it roams far and wide in search of food. 

 Any of the methods of fitting ground lines for Whiting with 

 long snoods will, as far as the form of gear is concerned, 

 answer for Congering, but that represented in the cut (fig. 46, p. 

 1 2 6) fitted with three copper swivels, is highly recommended for 

 Conger and Cod-fishing. The strength of the Conger is very 

 great, and when hauled into the boat it has the habit, as you 

 hold its head up for the purpose of unhooking, of screwing 

 itself round with force and rapidity, and unless your line is pro- 

 vided with swivels, everything is likely to get twisted into 

 a foul. 



