114 BAIT FOE SEA-FISH. 



rule. The bait which is the favourite in one bay or bank is 

 scouted by the fish of other localities. At times almost any- 

 thing will do : numbers of mackerel have been taken vrith a 

 little bit of red cloth attached to the hook ; on certaiu occasions 

 the fish are so hungiy that they will swallow the naked iron ! 

 On the English coasts, and among the Western Islands of 

 Scotland, the most deadly bait that is used is boiled limpets, 

 which require to be partially chewed by the fisher before 

 placing them on the hooks ; in other places mussels are the 

 favourites, and in others the worms procured among the mud 

 of the shore. The limpet has this one advantage, that it is 

 easily fixed on the hook, and keeps its hold tenaciously. A 

 very excellent bait for the larger kinds of fish is the soft parts 

 of the body of small crabs, which are gathered for that purpose 

 at low tide under the stones ; a good place for procuring them 

 is a mussel-bed. The best time for fishing is immediately 

 before ebb or flow. The hooks being baited, the line is run 

 over the side of the boat until the lead touches the bottom, 

 when it is drawn up a little, so as to keep the baits out of 

 reach of the crabs who gnaw and destroy both bait and tackle. 

 The line is held firmly and lightly outside the boat, the other 

 hand, inside the boat, also having a grip of the line. 

 The moment a fish is felt to strike, the line is jerked 

 down by the hand inside, thus bringing it sharply 

 across the gunwale and fixing the hook. A little 

 experience will soon enable the angler to determine the 

 weight of the fish, and according as it is light or heavy 

 must he quickly or slowly haul in his line. When 

 the fish reaches the surface, he should, if practicable, 

 seize it with his hand, as it is apt, on feeling itself 

 out of water, to wriggle off. A landing-clip or gaff, 

 such as is used in salmon-fishing, is useful, as, in the 

 event of hooking a conger or a ray, there is much 

 difficulty, and even some danger. 



In fishing for lythe — the most exciting of all sea- 

 angling — a very strong cord is used, on which, in order 

 to prevent the fouling of the line, one or two stout 

 swivels are attached. The hooks also cannot be too 

 strong ; those used for cod or ling fishing are very 

 suitable. The baits in general use are the body of a 

 small eel, about half a foot in length, skinned and tied to the 

 shaft ; or a strip of red cloth, or a red or white feather similarly 



