CASTING FOR GREAT PIKE 



Such a fish may make a good "bait," I am not saying 

 it will not, but I do say that there is more sport, fun, 

 if you please, in taking heavy fish on light tackle, 

 tackle that cannot be employed in casting "young 

 suckers." 



Another matter, a little thing but vastly important, 

 always provide the lure with a steel trace or wire 

 gimp; for when any pike "strikes over" its sharp teeth 

 are sure to sever the line. I 'know of nothing in the 

 whole realm of angling quite so heart-rending as to 

 have a large fish depart, taking with him some choice 

 lure. I have enjoyed (?) the experience a number of 

 times and therefore I know whereof I speak. A wire 

 gimp costs but a few cents, and is comparable to a life 

 insurance policy in the midst of a smallpox epidemic. 

 Do not neglect it. My largest great pike came in fast 

 to a Heddon "dummy double," the lure out of sight in 

 the fish's mouth, while its teeth clinched the wire gimp 

 ferociously but unavailingly. 



So much for tackle proper, though there are a few 

 other articles which should be included in every great 

 pike fisher's outfit. The ordinary landing-net is not 

 adapted to pike fishing unless unusually large and 

 strong and preceded by the quieting "gun" or club. 

 A good, strong-throated gaff is much better. I have 

 tried the so-called "automatic gaffs," two much-ad- 

 vertised makes, but both failed to penetrate the fish's 

 hide. The shape of a great pike's body is such that it 

 slips out of the nippers. Try it and see. Anyway, the 

 things are the refinement of cruelty. A good thick 

 club to whack the fish on the head, or, better, a 32- 

 caliber revolver with which to give the capture his 

 quietus while yet in the water, will save many a fish 



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