124. SEA-FISH. 
manner that it would pass freely through the rod- 
rings and not through the float. The rest was 
easy, and very good sport I have since had with 
this tackle. All that is necessary, so far at least 
as Bournemouth pier is concerned, is to fish any 
August day just after high water, and to go right 
to the end of the pier, facing due south. The 
tackle is put together, a good large mussel, red for 
preference, is fixed on the hook, cotton or wool 
being unnecessary, as the bait is out of reach of the 
small flat fish at the bottom, and when the mackerel 
takes it he takes hook and all. Never put the rod 
down, for striking is absolutely essential, and should 
be simultancous with the disappearance of the 
float. In nine cases out of ten, you will have 
hooked your mackerel; but the battle is by no 
means lost or won yet ; for the mackerel, than which 
no fish in the sea has more dash for its size, has 
a good deal in its favour,—the chance of fraying the 
gut against the sharp musscls below, or the still 
greater chance of getting a slack on the line and 
shaking the hook out. Your business is to tire the 
fish, keeping the line taut, but guarding against 
any sudden rush by holding a foot or so of slack in 
reserve in the left hand. The way in which a two- 
pound mackerel will sheer from right to left, wildly 
entangling every other line within reach, as if for 
all the world it knew that these are so many more 
chances of escape, is exccedingly embarrassing ; 
and I know of no fish of so small a size that calls 
for more coolness and judgment, especially when, 
as is usually the case, some one on the upper deck 
gives the alarm, and a dozen or more people come 
tumbling down the hatchways, or staircase, to sce 
the fun, and hamper the angler all they know, 
