The Pout (Gadus Luscus) is less silvery than the whiting, and has not its elegance of form, being decidedly pot-bellied. If a vessel has foundered anywhere, and its ribs are still sticking up out of the sand in a few fathoms of water, there will pout be found in numbers. It also loves rocks and seaweeds. In very cold weather it may migrate into the deep water, but is generally caught all through the year at its usual haunts. Being somewhat widely distributed around our coasts, it is surprising it has not more local names, but the only ones I know of are bib, whiting pout, pout, and, in Cornwall, blens or blinds. It does not often run to any size, though rare examples have been taken weighing several pounds. For tackle there is nothing better than a single gut paternoster with a small whiting hook. Where the fish run exceedingly small, the very small hook illustrated may be used. The pout is, as a rule, not particular in the matter of baits ; any of those mentioned for silver whiting will succeed with him. The ground-bait net will attract him and bring him on the feed. When caught he should be eaten the same or, at the latest, the next day, as his flesh rapidly deteriorates.

Hook For Small Pout.