232 THE MACKEREL SEINE. 



successful time, particularly when the tide suits after sunset. In 

 many creeks a trammel may be used as an auxiliary net to a 

 seine for Mullet as a stop-net. 



The Mackerel Seine. This differs in nothing from the 

 preceding, except in size of mesh and length and depth of the 

 net, and a boat rowing not less than four, and sometimes five or 

 six oars, is used to work it. 



In favourable localities the net is hauled on to the beach, 

 but where no such convenience exists it is drawn up into the 

 boat until the fish are brought alongside, which are dipped up 

 in maunds or baskets and emptied on board, which latter method 

 is termed ' tucking,' as distinguished from ' seining,' when the 

 net is hauled on the beach. 



This term ' tucking ' appears to be taken from the ' truck-net,' 

 a small net used to empty a Pilchard seine, which is an immense 

 net used only to enclose the shoal or school of fish, as hereafter 

 described. 



The Mackerel approach the shores during the summer 

 months, and a constant look-out is kept for them by some 

 experienced hand noted for his keenness of sight, who is also 

 generally provided with a telescope. 



No fish is more fitful or uncertain in its movements than the 

 Mackerel, as they suddenly appear on the surface where least 

 expected, in pursuit of the ' Brit J or Mackerel-bait, which are 

 either the young of the Herring or some other member of the 

 family of Clupddce ; they also pursue the Sand- Eels or Launce 

 with like avidity, and unless their movements be closely watched 

 a very poor season will be the result. 



The capricious nature of this fish is well conveyed in a 

 West country proverb, ' If you'd Mackerel catch, you must 

 Mackerel watch ' a maxim evidently well understood and acted 

 on by the fishermen, both as regards their capture with the seine 

 and with hook and line. 



The seine Mackerel fishery is by no means confined to 

 professional fishermen on the SW. coast of England, many 

 tradesmen and mechanics being part owners both of boats and 

 nets, and assisting to work them when the Mackerel * play ' or 

 show themselves on the surface. This leads me to digress, 



