256 JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
In operating with the Trawl Net considerable tact is necessary. 
The Trawl fisherman must acquire a knowledge of the bottom of 
the sea, as well as be able to navigate his craft; for if he should 
drag his net over a rocky bottom, he immediately becomes stopped 
in his fishing operations, and suffers considerable loss by losing 
his nets, &c. A perfect knowledge of the tides is also necessary, 
as good fishing often depends on the tides, as well as other 
natural causes. Sometimes, when the tides are very strong, it is 
difficult to tow the net so successfully as when the tide is running 
more moderately ; and there is no doubt fish are influenced by tide 
as to their locality. This the fisherman soon finds out to his cost. 
The best fishing is always attained when it is suitable to tow with 
the tide and wind. 
Drift Fishing, as the name implies, is that practised by those of 
our fishermen who fish for mackerel, herrings, and pilchards with 
the Drift Net; the net being thrown over at random, and allowed 
to drive whither tide and wind may carry boat and net. 
This kind of fishing is generally increasing, and it is a most 
important one. At present it is by far the largest fishing industry 
of Great Britain, and in it nearly 40,000 men and boys find 
employment. 
The boats engaged in Drifting are generally lugger-rigged, which 
no doubt is the best, as it facilitates the working of the nets, and 
the lug-sail affords greater speed than any other. Taking into 
consideration the cost also, it is more economical, and is less 
expensive to keep up. 
The Mackerel Fishing is of considerable interest to us, and for 
some years past has been fairly successful, It begins in January 
off our own port, and is prosecuted by a large fleet of boats from 
several ports. Besides our own West of England fishermen, many 
come from Lowestoft, Yarmouth, Hastings, Brighton, Lynn, 
Eastbourne, and Shoreham, and fish up to April. The Cornish 
season is then in full swing; and during the busiest time here, it 
is no uncommon thing to see as many as three hundred boats in 
Plymouth Harbour for this important fishing. 
Some remarkable catches of mackerel are sometimes secured off 
this coast, and during last season a Porthleven boat—the Boy Bob 
—landed no less than 20,000 fish from one night’s fishing, which 
