204 . THE troller's guide. 



Rods proper for Trolling or Jack and Pike-Jishing, 

 and how to Troll without a Rod. 



A GOOD trolling-rod should be made of the choicest 

 stout and well- seasoned bamboo cane 3 in length it 

 should not be shorter than fourteen feet ; but sixteen 

 is more desirable, if your tackle-maker can furnish 

 cane every way fit for the purpose of striking true, 

 and not too heavy, yet sufficiently strong ; but if 

 bamboo, of a sufficient length, &c., be not to be 

 procured, the tackle-makers use other light wood for 

 the butt, generally well-seasoned willow ; those An- 

 glers who are indifferent about the weight of a rod, 

 may have them made of solid wood, in four joints, 

 each measuring nearly a yard and a half 3 such trol- 

 ling rods will ahuost last for ever. When trolling 

 with the gorge, or live-bait-fishing, a long rod is ne- 

 cessary, to enable the Angler to drop in his baited 

 hook over high sags, rushes, &c. ; and also if the wa- 

 ter be bright, he should then keep as far away from 

 it as he possibly can, which a long rod enables him to 

 do, while dipping, casting, or spinning his bait ; for if 



