No. Ž | | | ~ | ~ | | ~ | | | | = 9.10 5 4321 165433 17 16 15 14 131/ 13 12 حجاب II ΙΟ 8 6/1/ 6 REELS, GAFFS, AND BAIT Tray. The best materials for reels (fig. 64 d) are either teak, oak, or mahogany, with half a bottle-cork attached, to receive the hooks, as in the accompanying cut. The most convenient sizes for portability will be for the horse-hair Pollack lines and the Bridport snooding Mackerel lines, six inches by five, and for the hemp lines for Whitingfishing, eight inches by six ; but if in the habit of using a large boat for the offing-fishing, of from say five to ten tons, your reels had better be eighteen inches by fourteen, as you will use a great length of line, and your lines will dry more quickly than if made up in a smaller compass. · Hair-lines are best kept in a net bag, the mesh sufficiently small to prevent the corners of the reels protruding. As the hemp lines are not commonly taken on shore from a large boat, good-sized reels will not be found productive of inconvenience; but in boats of moderate size, or for amateurs travelling, eight inches by six is quite large enough for packing comfortably. The large reels will be strong enough if made of deal. Never hang your lines to dry on an iron nail, as they will be sure to rot at the rusty spot. α d b FIG. 64.-Reel, Gaffs, and Bait Tray. Gaffs.-The long-handled gaff (fig. 64 c) is used for taking Squid, as described in the article on that fish, p. 194. The Short-handled Gaff (fig. 64 a).—This is used to take on board any fish large enough to endanger the tackle or snooding, and for a seaside resident should be made by a blacksmith, 2 inches wide from the point to the shank, and securely clenched or riveted through a handle 1 inch in diameter at the hook, and tapering to 1 inch at the top, where a knob or head should be left to prevent it slipping through the hand in lifting in a large Conger or other monster of the deep. Ash, black-thorn, or beech make a good handle, but a clean piece of red pine without knots may serve if the others are unprocurable; length from 2 to 2 feet. For travellers, a couple of Hake hooks (the largest shown in the engraving of hooks, fig. 63,) will be found the most convenient, but be mindful of filing off the barbs before leaving home. One of these may with some waxed twine be speedily lashed on to any odd stick. Landing-Net.-A landing-net is generally much more convenient than a gaff, particularly with fish of moderate size, yet too large to lift out by the line only. A good form for rough boat-work may be made with a piece of galvanised iron wire, the thickness of a pencil and 5 feet long. Five inches at each end should be turned at right angles, and the middle bent into a circle which will be about 16 inches in diameter. Bind each end separately with twine well waxed, then take a few turns round the two ends together, and then lash them securely with stout fishing-line to an ash stick 3 feet long. If tied on without this precaution, the ends of the iron will be always slipping and coming loose. The net itself should be made of salmon twine, on a mesh full two inches round, which will give knots one inch apart. Begin with 60 stitches, when about 20 inches deep reduce the number of stitches, by netting every 5th and 6th stitches in the row into one; this will bring the number to 50; net two plain rows, and in the next row net every 4th and 5th stitches together, and after two more plain rows every 3rd and 4th together; after one more plain row all the rest of the stitches may be drawn together and tied securely. This net may be stiffened by soaking it before lashing to the ring in a mixture of one part coal-tar and two parts turpentine. A little of the same mixture should also be applied to the lashing on the handle. The net is preferable to a gaff when two persons are in the boat, as one can assist the other, but if alone, the gaff is handier, as you can haul the line, and hold the gaff in the right hand at the same time as soon as the fish comes near the boat. The Bait Tray (fig. 64 b).—This is a very useful adjunct to boat-fishing, and a great assistance in keeping a boat clean, especially when ground-fishing, as the bait, consisting of Mussels, Lug-Worms, or pieces of Mackerel, Pilchards, &c., can be conveniently kept thereon and cut up as required. |