184 THE TROLLER S GUIDE. 



above described^ of various sizes, are kept ready for 

 sale at all the principal fishing-tackle shops. 



The reader will notice, that the gimp and shank of I 

 the hooks are to lay under the skin of the bait-fish, and 

 therefore be careful to carry the baiting-needle cau- 

 tiously, so as not to wound the bait' s-flesh, and it will 

 feel very little inconvenience from the operation, but 

 will swim nearly as strong in the water with the 

 hooks attached to it as without. Observe, by casting 

 in and drawing out a bait so hooked several times, 

 the skin of the bait-fish is apt to strip downwards,^ 

 and in consequence the hooks lose their proper 

 place ; to prevent which, I use a No. 9 hook, tied to 

 about an inch of gut, with a loop to the end of it : 

 pass the loop over the gimp that is tied to the double 

 hook, and bring it to the bends of them ; now when 

 the hook is baited, take hold of the small hook, and 

 run the point and barb into the bait-fish's under lip 5 

 this prevents the skin from stripping down, as before 

 alluded to, and the bait remains also much livelier, 

 and tempting to a Jack or Pike. 



This method of baiting hooks is a most killing way 

 in live-bait-fishing, and to be preferred to every other. 

 Again observe the Cut, to illustrate this description. 

 — Note. When the double hook above described is 

 used, the sizes No. 4 or 5 will be found most proper, 

 when tied to gimpj but when tied to twisted gut, 

 those of the size No. 6 should be preferred. 



