RAITS FOR TROLLING. 209 



Gudgeons Avill swim strongciv, and live longer on the 

 hook than other Fish, and also keep low in the water ; 

 whereas Roach, Dace, and, i)articulaily. Bleak, endea- 

 vour to reach or swim near the surface of the water ; 

 and if the Jack or Pike follows and sees the Angler, 

 they generally refuse the bait, and retire. 



The next best bait, I consider, is a Roach, and, "during 

 the months of January, February, and March, I use it 

 in preference to a Gudgeon : the best size to choose 

 a Gudgeon, Roach, or Dace for trolling with the gorge, 

 or in live-bait-fishing for Jack or Pike, is about five 

 or six inches in length ; but when you go snap-fishing 

 a larger bait is preferable, because Jack or Pike will 

 I frequently seize a large bait, though they will not 

 ii pouch it, which is a losing game for the gorge trol- 

 ler or live-bait Fisher ; but not so with the snap 

 Angler, because, the instant the Jack or Pike strikes his 

 bait, the Angler, with a strong jerk, fixes the hook into 

 either Pike or Jack, and as a large bait is most attract- 

 ing, of course the snap-Fisher should prefer it to a 

 small one. 



The next bait in value to Gudgeons and Roach are 

 Dace and Bleak : if you cannot procure any of those 

 four baits, you may take any small Fish (Tench ex- 

 cepted) you can procure, and with any of them you 

 may kill Jack or Pike. But, note ; if you ever use a 

 Jack for a bait, it should not exceed half a pound in 

 weight 5 and if you bait your hook with a Perch, be 

 ' sure to cut away the dorsal fin very close to the back 

 before you begin fishing with it. I have killed Jack 

 T 2 



