96 SEA-FISH. 
a heavy fish, many of the rock-fishers dispense with 
it altogether. 
The rod is eminently suited for rock-fishing, just 
Rodana 28 hand-lining is the better style on a sandy 
hand- beach. It stands to reason that the use of 
line the rod enables the angler to keep his hooks 
clear of the side, while, on the other hand, it is often 
awkward to lay a rod down on a sloping beach, 
even with the supports used in bank-fishing inland. 
There is, however, no hard and fast rule; and I 
have seen the line used with success from the rocks, 
as I have used the rod myself from the beach. 
The fish chicfly caught in this shore-fishing is the 
cod. On the east coast, beach-fishers also make 
fair hauls of whiting ; and in Scotch waters, there 
is,as we have seen, the coal-fish, or saithe, as an 
uneatable t yet sport-giving alternative. The size 
of the hook depends of course on that of the fish 
expected, and rock-fishers usually keep several 
sizes by them. For the average run, 2 lbs. to 4 lbs., 
a o round bend with a long shank and whipped on 
to double gut is most in vogue. Two hooks are 
very commonly used, one above, the other beneath 
the lead, the latter being so arranged as to be 
capable of change with minimum loss of time, its 
usual weight ranging from 4 to 12 oz. according to 
the strength of tide for the time being. 
But the cod is the shore-fisher’s first string, both 
north and south of the border, and there 
are few better baits for it than two or three 
medium-sized mussels whipped on the hook with a 
Baits 
1T am assured that the coal-fish is, when profes’ cooked, delicious. 
While in no way changing my own opinion of so insipid a mess, I 
gladly insert this piece of information for the encouragement of 
tourists fond of novel dishes. 
