14 FISH : THEIR HABITS AND HAUNTS. 



of Strong line should be used, and a hook 

 with metal run on it to load it, and cov- 

 ered with an inverted eel-skin for ^ bait. 

 The lines are trailed behind the boat when 

 four are fishing at once, and an outrigging 

 of wood is fastened at the stem, so as to 

 keep them from running too close together. 

 With the boat under full sail, all lines out, 

 and each one expectant, the excitement is 

 intense ; when the fish are reached, and 

 one feels a twitch on his line, he begins 

 to haul in as fast as possible, and if not 

 quick enough his fish springs ahead and 

 drops the hook. Often there will be a fish 

 on each line at once, and then such fun, 

 all pulling together ! The fish weigh from 

 four to ten pounds each. The skipper en- 

 deavors to keep the boat in the vicinity of 

 the school, and tacks about to run through 

 it, but often loses sight of it, for when 

 feeding with the current the fish move 

 rapidly. 



