THE BLACK BASS. I 73 



steadily and strongly, without jerking, he should be hooked 

 by a turn of the wrist (as mentioned under fly-fishing). Very 

 often the fish pulls steadily from the time of seizing the min- 

 now, and goes off with a rush, when he is to be hooked at 

 once; and, again, he often hooks himself in his wicked grab 

 at the minnow. 



The manner of playing the Bass in bait-fishing is to all in- 

 tents and purposes the same as in fly-fishing. 



STILL-FISHING. 



Still-fishing is bait-fishing with minnow, crawfish, helgra- 

 mite, frog, etc., from a boat or from the bank of a stream. 



Almost any kind of rod or reel will answer for still-fishing, 

 as there is, usually, no attempt at long casts. The rig 

 varies from a cane pole or sapling without a reel, to the 

 finest rods and reels made. The same is true of lines, for all 

 kinds are used, twisted and braided, and of all sizes. And 

 the array of hooks, sinkers and floats is also subject to the 

 same variation. 



The best outfit, however, for still-fishing, should be a light 

 rod, say eight ounces, of reasonable length, a multipyling 

 reel, a "G" or "H" braided line, a six-foot leader, and a Sproat 

 hook. No. I or 2, on gut-snell. If the bottom is weedy or 

 mossy, or if crawfish or helgramite or worms are used for 

 bait, a small float should be employed to keep the bait from 

 the bottom; otherwise a float is not necessary. 



The angler, after casting his bait, if it is a minnow, should 

 leave it to its own devices and allow it to swim about undis- 

 turbed, and should keep himself as "still" as possible for a 

 few minutes, when he may move his bait to a new position 

 or withdraw it for a new cast; but the less the minnow is 

 pulled about, the longer it will live, and the better will be the 

 still-fisher's chances for a bite — he can exercise his virtue of 

 patience to the fullest extent in this mode of angling. 



TROLLING. 



Trolling is practiced from a moving boat, either with hand- 



