82 Bass, Pike, and Perch 



While a very free-biting fish, its game qualities, 

 when hooked, are not remarkable. It is pulled 

 out with scarcely a struggle. It is rather a shy 

 fish, withal, and must be fished for cautiously, 

 and with little noise or confusion. When these 

 precautions are observed, and with very small 

 minnows for bait, nearly the entire school can be 

 captured in a short time. It is an excellent pan- 

 fish, and on this account is a prime favorite. 



For still-fishing, a light rod of a few ounces in 

 weight, and a line of the smallest caliber, size H, 

 should be used. Hooks for bait-fishing should 

 be about No. 3, as the crappie has a large mouth ; 

 they should be tied on gut snells. A quill float 

 is useful in weedy places, or about brush and 

 logs. The best bait is a very small minnow, 

 hooked under the dorsal fin, care being taken not 

 to injure the spinal cord. Soft crawfish, cut-bait, 

 or earthworms may be substituted where minnows 

 are scarce. A reel is not necessary for bait-fish- 

 ing, but a short leader should always be used, 

 and where required a split-shot sinker is heavy 

 enough. 



For fly-fishing, the lightest trout fly-rod and 

 the smallest click reel should be employed, with 

 a braided, enamelled silk line of the smallest 



