bait gatherer

Rach · Post by **Rach** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:10 pm

This is one occupation not on S.P.
1851. Elizabeth is now the widow of a Fisherman and 3 of her children aged from 15 to 20 are bait gatherers, an essential occupation to make a few pennies in Eyemouth but back breaking I should think.

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:38 pm

Hi Rach

Your post got me wondering what they used for bait and how many hooks had to be baited on a long line.
I still don't know what they baited the hooks with but at least this site told me a little about long line fishing on the East coast

http://www.rls.org.uk/database/record.p ... -001-572-L

I know they dig for Lug worms now but that is for a single hook. No way they could dig enough for a commercial line.
Musselburgh (Fisherrow) used to use fresh shelled mussels as bait so perhaps it didn't matter as long as it was fresh and plentiful.
Poor souls though. They would have to be out in all weathers without the benefits we have now of fully waterproof clothing, wellie boots and tough working gloves.

BBrrrrh!

Russell

Post by **paddyscar** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 12:30 am

National Federation of Sea Anglers' Code for Bait Gatherers

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/shoosh/other/baitcode.htm

It also gives some info on styles and equipment used in sea fishing.

Frances

web link modified - AndrewP

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 12:41 am

paddyscar wrote:National Federation of Sea Anglers' Code for Bait Gatherers

http://www.web.ukonline.co.uk/shoosh/other/baitcode.htm

It also gives some info on styles and equipment used in sea fishing.

Frances

Frances, the above address is giving a "page cannot be found" error ?!

David

Post by **AndrewP** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 12:50 am

DavidWW wrote:
paddyscar wrote:National Federation of Sea Anglers' Code for Bait Gatherers

http://www.web.ukonline.co.uk/shoosh/other/baitcode.htm

It also gives some info on styles and equipment used in sea fishing.

Frances
Frances, the above address is giving a "page cannot be found" error ?!

David

URL modified in Frances's post above.

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/shoosh/other/baitcode.htm

All the best,

AndrewP

Post by **paddyscar** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 2:08 am

Thanks,

Frances

Rach · Post by **Rach** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 12:43 pm

Thanks for these sites. I have a book 'The Berwickshire Coast' by Lawson Wood which has old photos of the different fishing communities there, including one of a fishwife baiting the lines.
In the late 1940's I remember the wicker basket full of hooked line in my granny's back room. As I was very young at the time I don't remember much else apart from a slight smell [but not a bad one as everything was kept really clean]. Mussels were used as the bait.
Away from fishing, my grandparents had a washhouse in the garden where a fire was lit under some sort of container to boil the water. This was then poured into the barrel where the washing was then moved round and dumped upon with the post stick. I recall a big mangle which removed great amounts of water from the washing before it was hung out to dry. How lucky we are these days with all the mod., cons.
Gosh! this is really dredging the memory banks.
Rae