438 ROOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



the Bass, and it can not be made more attractive for hand- 

 trolling by the addition of feathers, braid, etc. 



Abbey & Imbrie's New Fluted Spoon, Xo. 4; J. IT. 

 Mann's Perfect Revolving, No. 20, Oval, No. 16, Kidney, 

 No. 6J, and Egg, No. 3|; and L. S. Hill's Improved 

 Spoon, Nos. Ih and 2, are all excellent trolling-baits for 

 hand-lines. 



The ordinary original tin or brass spoon, with single 

 hook soldered on, is about as good as any of the later 

 inventions. A single hook is certainly preferable to the 

 groups of two or three, usually attached to spoon-baits ; 

 the latter often being crushed or broken by the jaws of a 

 large fish. 



Small spoons are more successful than large ones, for 

 Black Bass. In the absence of a spoon-bait, the floor of 

 the mouth of the Pickerel, cut into the semblance of a fish, 

 is tough, white and glistening, and is a good substitute; a 

 similar strip, cut from the belly of the Dog Fisii, also 

 answers a good purpose. One or two swivels should 

 always be used with trolling-bait ; a sinker is seldom nec- 

 essary. 



With this simple outfit, early in the season, before the 

 aquatic weeds and grasses are fully grown, this mode of 

 fishing is quite successful. The method of j)roce(lure is 

 as- follows: 



The angler sits in the stern of the boat, and, while the 

 oarsman rows at a moderate rate of speed along and over 

 the feeding-ground, he runs off forty to sixty yards 

 of line; the spoon, revolving gracefully beneath the sur- 

 face, proves an effective lure. A violent jerU on the line 

 announces the fact that an unfortunate Hass has " hooked 

 himself;" often lie will leap into the air, vainly endeavor- 



