396 THE KEEPER'S BOOK 



very painful wounds if carelessly handled, and much 

 pain and subsequent mischief may be saved by prompt 

 washing and dressing. In summer-time, too, it should 

 be borne in mind that, even in these latitudes, the sea- 

 fisherman is continuously exposed to the sun, and a 

 broad-brimmed hat, with protection for the back of the 

 neck, is a precaution that should not be neglected, 

 while tinted spectacles will be found a welcome pro- 

 tection for the eyes against the glare off the water. 



(3) The Bait. The right bait is even more important 

 than the right tackle, though the best promise of success 

 lies in a combination of the two. A few fish, like 

 pollack and mackerel, will occasionally seize almost any 

 bait that is drawn across their noses, but as a rule not 

 only has every fish its own particular fancy, but a bait 

 which is deadly for, say, a bass at one seaside resort, 

 would not necessarily tempt the same fish a dozen miles 

 farther up or down the coast. Grey mullet resemble 

 the bass in this curious variety of their appetite in 

 different localities. Thus these fish are caught on 

 paste at Margate, but at Littlehampton, in the neigh- 

 bouring county, they must have ragworms. As a 

 matter of fact, the list of baits used in the sea is a very 

 long one, and something suitable is generally to be had, 

 because, we must remember, the right bait is, after all, 

 only what the fish you are after feeds on in the neigh- 

 bourhood. Occasionally, it is true, the visiting angler 

 springs a surprise on them with success. I remember 

 a man, years ago, making a great catch of bass and 



