60 BAITS. 



PILCHARD GUT. 



The entrails of the pilchard, or, as it is much 

 more commonly called, " pilchard gut/' is one of 

 the most attractive baits known, and is much 

 sought after both by fish and fishermen. It is 

 simply the entire entrails of the pilchard, as re- 

 moved when the fish are prepared for curing ; in 

 the centre there is a hard substance like the 

 gizzard of a bird, and into this the hook is put, 

 the pendent portion being coiled round the hook. 

 This bait can only be used when at anchor, as the 

 oily and fatty parts are washed out if towed 

 through the water. Bass, gray mullet, and 

 mackerel, as well as bream chads, are sure to be 

 taken with it if in the vicinity ; and to attract the 

 latter, or, in fact, any and all kinds of fish, when 

 at anchor, an old stocking or muslin bag is filled 

 with the gut, and, a stone having been put in, is 

 lowered to within about a fathom of the bottom, 

 when the chads and other fish assemble in im- 

 mense numbers to try for the dainty morsel, and 

 are easily caught, two at a time, by letting down 

 lines baited with the pilchard gut in the neigh- 



