Angling. [Perhaps same as prec.] intr. To angle for mackerel, etc., from a swiftly moving boat with a hand-line towing the bait near the surface. Hence Whiffing vbl. sb.2 (also attrib.).
1836. Yarrell, Brit. Fishes, II. 172. Hand-line fishing for Pollacks is called whiffing.
1863. Johns, Home Walks, 164. We generally threw out our whiffing lines as we cruised about.
1886. Globe, 22 July, 3/1. When you ‘whiff’ at Scilly, you whiff for pollack.
