98 SEA-FISH. 
get a supply so as to fish the whole of the 
flood. 
Tloat-tackle is also first rate in those localities 
in which the ground is too rough for the lead to be 
dragged with safety. Unless, however, the rod is 
considerably longer than the depth fished, a con- 
dition that rarely obtains, the float must run freely 
and be stopped on the “ slider” principle explained 
on a subsequent page. In the ordinary course, the 
best fishing from rocks is obtained in tolerably 
slack water ; but occasionally sport is to be found 
close to a headland, round which the tide runs with 
some force, and in such spots the float may be 
allowed to travel, Nottingham style. 
In Australia, the methods were rough and ready. 
A heavily leaded line, on which were strung two or 
three large hooks, mounted on twisted flax and 
baited with soft crab, was swung into the deep 
water, often under the very snout of a wobbegong 
shark, and in a few moments there was generally 
something substantial at the lower end, which was 
hauled up to the ledge without more ado. I have 
seen fish of ten pounds and more hauled in this 
way through a hundred fect in the calmest way 
possible. Excitable as he is in election time, the 
Sydney loafer is imperturbable when rock-fishing ; 
and the daring with which he will spend his life lean- 
ing over the giddy “ Gap,” the last land touched by 
the ill-fated Dunbar, just outside the Heads of Port 
Jackson, and drawing up huge gropers and other 
fish, hanging on the while with his toes, is worthy 
of better objects. Sca-fishing is, I am ready to 
grant, an excellent and harmless pastime, but as a 
mats sole occupation in life it falls rather short 
of the mark. 
