GREAT PIKE AND LIVE BAIT 



of the caster is not to make a great commotion upon 

 the surface of the water when the bait strikes. We 

 are now fishing with a fish for a fish, and our object is 

 to duplicate nature. Every angler has seen a minnow 

 dart along the surface, closely pursued by a hungry 

 great pike. That should be a sufficient hint. There 

 are times when to "skitter" a minnow along the sur- 

 face, allowing it to sink slowly at the end of the move- 

 ment, will bring results. As a rule, however, I cast 

 toward the shore if fishing from a boat, allowing the 

 minnow or frog to sink for a few seconds, then slowly 

 — note I say slowly — reel in. My object in casting is 

 to get the bait to slip into the water without excite- 

 ment or commotion. With me, noise and splashing 

 are taboo. 



To cast a live bait with skill and accuracy is some- 

 thing of a task. I honestly believe there are fewer 

 good casters of live bait to-day than there are handlers 

 of artificial lures. I mean in proportion to the number 

 fishing, of course. There was a time when we were 

 students of live-bait fishing, but that day is long since 

 past, though I expect to see a revival of the sport. 

 Perhaps I shall lay myself open to criticism when I 

 say that it requires more skill to cast live bait properly 

 than it does to handle a plug, but nevertheless such is 

 my conviction. Watch the average bait-caster handling 

 minnows, and draw your own conclusions. 



The regular lurking place for great pike, such as are 

 investigated by the lure handler, should be carefully 

 fished out by the bait fisherman, who should remember 

 that he is fishing with the natural food of the great 

 pike, and endeavor to simulate the actions of that food 

 when unattached to hook and line. Logs, stumps, 



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