BOAT-FISHING. 
couple of pounds in weight, the tide 
197 
running like 
a mill-race while the fish, averaging a couple 
of pounds or more, come up two 
at a time. That is fishing indeed, 
and is to be enjoyed - throughout 
July and August on the south-west 
coast, or somewhat later in the year, 
say. October, further up the Channel, 
off Deal and Ramsgate. My friend 
“John Bickerdyke” recommends 
above all other tackle the paternoster 
for whiting; but personally, I have 
found nothing beat, especially when 
after the large deep-water fish, the 
shearing tackle used by the Cornish- 
men, and described as a “ sid-strap,” 
whatever that may convey. 
The accompanying figure will give 
the general idea of the gear in ques- 
tion; and the correct method of 
throwing out the boat-shaped sinker 
so as to avoid a foul was given in 
the chapter on hand-lining. As bait, 
we used in Cornwall pieces of pilchard, 
or, when that was too soft, strips 
of mackerel that had been caught 
on the plummet-lines on the way 
out. (For size of hook, see p. 55). 
Lugworm, sprat, herring, or mussel, 
these are the baits commonly used on 
the Kentish coast, and I have had 
extraordinary luck with squid, only 
it is not always to be had in the 
Wuitinc-TAckLe. 
autumn, when one gets the whiting-fishing so near 
shore, 
