132 Bass, Pike, and Perch 



swimming swiftly in straight lines, as might be 

 inferred from its shape. Its long body does not 

 admit of the quick doublings of the black-bass or 

 brook-trout. If kept on the surface with a taut 

 line it sometimes leaps into the air ; but if allowed 

 its own sweet will it bores toward the bottom, or 

 endeavors to reach the refuge of weeds or rushes. 

 One of less weight than twelve pounds, when 

 hooked, can scarcely be distinguished from the 

 pike or pickerel in its manner of resistance, and 

 exhibits but little more gameness. 



A black-bass rod of eight or nine ounces is suf- 

 ficient for the largest mascalonge one is likely to 

 encounter in these days. I caught one on the 

 St. Lawrence, many years ago, that weighed 

 thirty-two pounds, on an eight-ounce Henshall 

 rod, and gaffed it in twenty minutes. Others 

 have done the same even with a lighter rod. But 

 it must be remembered that the weight of the 

 fish, added to his fierce lunges, is very trying to a 

 light rod, and I should not recommend one of less 

 weight than eight ounces, which will answer for 

 all emergencies in skilled hands. A good multi- 

 plying reel, a braided silk or linen line, size E or 

 F, and Sproat or O'Shaughnessy hooks Nos. 3-0 

 to 5-0 on gimp snells, with brass box-swivel for 



