The Pike Family 141 



Nos. 2-0 to 3-0, are better suited to large pike 

 than black-bass. 



A minnow, or a trolling-spoon of small size 

 with a single Sproat or O'Shaughnessy hook, 

 may be employed in casting from a boat along 

 the edges of weed patches, lily-pads, and wild 

 rice, and along the shoals and bars. The same 

 tackle can be utilized for trolling in the same 

 situations. Where the conditions are favorable 

 it is advisable to allow the boat to drift, in order 

 to dispense with the noise and confusion of 

 rowing or paddling. The directions already 

 given for black-bass fishing, as to playing and 

 landing the fish, will answer just as well for the 

 pike. 



As the pike seems to suggest the trolling- 

 spoon, this is a good place to say a few words con- 

 cerning that little-understood article of fishing 

 tackle. In the first place, it should never have 

 more than a single hook, and that should never 

 be handicapped by adding a minnow, frog, or 

 strip of fish or bacon-skin, as is so often done. 

 The hook should be left free to perform its 

 function, untrammelled by extraneous and useless 

 appendages. If the angler pins his faith to them, 

 by all means give them a fair chance on a hook 



