324 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



chimney and seal themselves in for a certain length of 

 time. Still others reside in tiie drains and mud of the 

 rice-fields and plantations of the South, and sometimes 

 burrow througli the embankments, allowing the water to 

 flood the region." 



The crawfish is used as a bait for tiie Black Bass only 

 in still-fishing, when it serves a good purpose. In its 

 usual state it should be hooked througli the tail, but 

 "peelers" may be hooked through the head or body. 

 They may be kept alive a long time in damp aquatic grass, 

 moss, or weeds. 



Grasshoppers and Crickets. 



Grasshoppers and crickets are at times very taking baits. 

 They should be used as surface baits entirely, and should 

 be employed only when a brisk breeze is blowing, and on 

 the windward side of the water; for it is at such times 

 that they are blown into the water, and the Bass are then 

 on the look out for them. The water, also, being broken 

 into ripples by the breeze, enhances the angler's chances 

 of success. These insects should be hooked through the 

 upper part of the thorax or body, small hooks being used. 



Frogs. 



On marshy streams and ponds, young frogs are some- 

 times used for baits, with good success, in still-fishing. 

 They may be hooked through the lips, or through the skin 

 of the back. They should be of small size, and kejit in 

 pretty constant motion, as they are inclined to bury them- 

 selv^es in the mud, or hide under stones, on the bottom. 



