Cod, hake, and halibut heads are quite generally used as bait. Halibut
heads are said to be the best, as they are tougher than the cod or
hake heads, and thus last much longer. Sculpins, flounders, in fact
almost any kind of fish, can be used. In the vicinity of sardine
canneries the heads of herring are used. Sometimes the bait is
slightly salted, at other times it is used fresh. Small herring are
lightly salted, and then allowed to remain until partly decayed, when
they are inclosed in small bags, and these put into the pots. The
oil from this bait forms a "slick" in the water, and when the smell
from it is strong the fishermen consider it at its best. The bait is
generally secured by small haul-seines and spears in sections where
offal can not be bought.