116 SEA-FISH. 
smartly up towards Arundel, so that, starting at 
the lower, or sea, end, your float moves along close 
in under the wooden piles, and you have no option 
but to follow it, for much slack line between it and 
the rod-top would certainly give the fish a very 
considerable chance of escape. When the other 
end of the stage is reached, all you have to do is to 
return to the starting point and go through the 
performance again. Remember, there is nothing 
to be gained, as at so many places, by getting your 
bait out into mid-stream, for the bass come along 
—lI have seen them on clear days (N.B. No use 
fishing when the water is very clear)—routing 
among the weed-covered piles for shrimps and 
the like. 
It is also of the greatest importance to put no 
drag on the float, as it causes the bait to bob in a 
manner that would suffice to rouse the suspicion of 
a less wary fish than the bass. This is of course 
avoided by always keeping two or three fect of 
slack line between the float and top ring, neither 
more nor less. If more, the line will get water- 
logged and not respond the moment you strike ; if 
Iess, there is the risk of the bait being disturbed in 
the way mentioned. As soon as a fish is hooked, 
keep a tight hold of it ; there are no rocks or sharp 
piles in the Arun estuary against which it can cut 
your line; and altogether, I know of few spots 
where, with ordinary patience, there is less excuse 
for losing a fish that is once properly hooked. 
Float-fishing for bass is also practised in a some- 
what different manner from the east break- 
water at Ilastings. Eight or nine years 
ago we used to sce some fine bass caught on that 
groyne, but I belicve the sport has gone off sadly 
Hastings 
