THE GEORGE’S BANK COD FISHERY. 193 
end the hook is made fast, or ganged, in a very peculiar manner, which cannot well be described 
except in technical phrase.* The hooks (i) are No. 10 center-draft hooks. 
The object of the snood swivels, in which the gangings are so easily adjustable, is to save time 
in removing the fish and in baiting the hooks. When a line with one or more fish has beensbrought 
on deck the gangings are slipped from their swivels and are replaced by a pair of new gangings 
with fresh-baited hooks. While the lead is going to the bottom the hooks are taken from the fish, 
and are rebaited and ready for use the next time. 
Each vessel usually carries a considerable amount of spare gear, and especially a large supply 
of gangings. 
Bait.—The bait used by the George’s fishermen is, in winter time, frozen herring, and in spring, 
summer, and autumn, fresh herring, mackerel, alewives, and menhaden. In former days these fish- 
ermen were accustomed to catch their bait upon the Banks by setting gill-nets from the stern as 
the vessel rode at anchor, or from the side when the vessel was lying to or drifting.t At present 
this custom is abandoned, and supplies of bait are taken from Gloucester when frozen herring can 
be obtained, and at other times it is sought here and there along the coast wherever there are 
weir or net fishermen, from Greenport, L. I., to Eastport, Me., and even, in exceptional instances, 
as far east as Western Nova Scotia.t When frozen herring were first brought from Newfoundland, 
in 1854, 500 to 1,000 of these fish were considered an ample supply of bait for a trip to George’s, 
but the custom of carrying a far more Jiberal supply is now in vogue. Longer trips are also made, 
and the amount carried has increased, until now many of the vessels take on board 18,000 or 20,000 
for a trip of two or three weeks. A somewhat smaller number of menhaden or fresh herring is 
carried in summer, it being impossible to keep fresh so large a quantity as that until it is used. 
From 15 to 25 barrels of fresh bait are usually iced in summer; these are placed in the ice-houses. 
The price of herring varies from 75 cents to $1.25 per barrel. Twenty-one days is considered the 
outside limit for which iced bait is available, though the vessels of the New York fleet, by a more 
careful system of cleaning and packing the fish, are able to keep a supply for thirty days or more. 
There was formerly a difference of opinion between the Gloucester and New York fishermen as to 
the value of the bait preserved by the New York method, the former claiming that it is compara- 
tively worthless. This claim has been practically conceded by the New York fishermen, who have 
adopted New England methods. 
In baiting the hooks the fish are slivered, steaks being cut from each side of the backbone; 
these are cut into three-cornered or square pieces, eight or ten to a fish, and are strung upon the 
hooks. Six to eight of these are put upon each hook. 
Many halibut are. caught by the George’s-men, and in fishing for these “ gurry-bait” is used, 
this being the flesh of haddock or sometimes codfish. In baiting for halibut a long piece of the 
side of the haddock is put on the hook, the end of it being usually split into two flaps, which 
flutter in the current. On the top of these the ordinary bait of herring is placed. 
METHOD OF FISHING.—Fishing on George’s is carried on principally in the daytime, but on 
some occasions both night and day. The custom of night fishing has been introduced within the last 
* Take one strand of the line and hitch the bight of it round the shank of the hook; then lay the two parts together, 
taking a wall-knot in the end. 
+The vessels that now sail for George’s are supplied with nets for the purpose of catching their own bait. 
(Cape Ann Advertiser, April 1, 1859.) q 
t The scarcity of bait has been a great drawback to the success of the George’s fleet, a large part of the fleet 
having been detained a fortnight at Cape Cod waiting for a supply, thus losing a trip in the best season. The weather 
has been unfavorable for curing most of the season, and the last few pleasant days have given an impetus to the busi- 
ness, and large quantities have been shipped. The market continues firm at $6 per quintal, with an active market, 
(Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph, April 25, 1873.) 
SEO V: 13 
