FISHING FROM PIERS AND HARBOURS, 129 
best pollack-fishing is of course that obtained in 
boats, whether moving or at anchor; in other 
words, with the whiffing gear or on the drift-line. 
Some remarks will be found under both heads in 
the next chapter. 
The flat fish caught from our piers are mostly 
small plaice, dabs, and “lemon soles,” more 
rarely flounders and small turbot. They 
are all small-mouthed, so the hook must be small ; 
and they all feed on the ground, so it must lie on 
the bottom, It is therefore found best to fish for 
them with throw-out tackle, leger fashion; and 
beginners lose a vast deal of gear through in- 
sufficient knowledge of the local obstruction in the 
shape of sunken chains or piles, such as are always 
to be found in the immediate neighbourhood of 
piers. To obviate such vexatious breakages, it is a 
good plan when throwing out tackle for the first 
time in unknown waters, to try the ground first 
with a stone made fast to the extremity of the line 
by a strand of weak string. Throw this. out as if 
it were the leger, and as soon as the stone has 
reached the bottom, drag it s/ozw/y over the ground 
to the pier ; if there are any obstructions, the stone 
will catch in them and the line may be released 
from the weaker string with a sharp pull. I always 
test any new water in this way, and thereby make 
the acquaintance of sunken rocks and other snares 
at a less price than the sacrifice of good gear. 
A few hints on the subject of throwing out from 
piers may not be out of place. In throwing 
leads from the beach, where there is no one else 
within a dozen yards, style goes for little so long 
as the lead is swung a sufficient distance ; but it is 
a very different matter on a crowded pier, with 
K 
Flat fish 
