CASTING FOR GREAT PIKE 



last word in casting, I am ready to affirm. The reader 

 should remember that all I have said about the fish's 

 habits, and will say regarding tackle, applies to the 

 muskellunge equally well. 



The tackle employed in casting for great pike 

 differs in no essential from that used by the bass 

 caster; so if the reader desires the author's opinion 

 upon the subject — a somewhat exhaustive discussion 

 of the matter — he is again urged to read the chapters 

 in "Casting Tackle and Methods," dealing with rod 

 material, weight, length, etc., types of reels and lures, 

 that he may more fully appreciate what correct tackle 

 means. Yet, "by and large," as the saying has it, 

 tackle for great pike fishing need not differ greatly 

 from that affected by the bass caster. 



Naturally, a wise angler would not employ one of the 

 ultra light rods sometimes affected by those fishermen 

 who are in the habit of courting thrills. A three-and- 

 one-half-ounce rod is rather light to use in angling 

 where the lucky fisherman may hook a twenty- or 

 twenty-five-pound great pike. (My largest great pike 

 taken while casting, weighed twenty-three pounds two 

 ounces, dead. Not a large fish as the species run.) 

 The mere weight of such a fish might wreck a three- 

 ounce bamboo. Some years ago I wrote the maker of 

 a certain well-known split-bamboo caster, asking if he 

 would recommend his light rod for muskellunge fishing. 

 To which he promptly replied in language something 

 like the following: "Most emphatically, no. The 

 light-waisted rod was never made that would stand 

 up under the strain; but we build a rod for Florida 

 bass fishing which we unqualifiedly recommend for 

 heavy pike and muskie. Properly handled, we will 



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