212 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 
should always be borne in mind that with snap-tackle, 
whether spinning or live-bait, the larger the bait the 
greater are the chances against fairly hooking a fish. 
And this is a rule to which, from the necessity of the 
case, no tackle can be an exception. Four or five ounces 
is about the maximum weight of any bait which can be 
properly worked on live-bait snap-tackle ; where bigger 
baits are necessary (and in some waters, as for instance 
Slapton Ley, fish of half a pound and upwards are very 
commonly used), recourse should be had to live-bait 
gorge tackle, which will be described presently. 
Probably the best live bait of all for thick or clouded 
waters is a medium-sized Dace, as its scales are pecu- 
liarly brilliant, and the fish itself by no means easily 
killed. In case of waters in which the Pike are over- 
fed, or obstinately insensible to the attractions of the 
ordinary baits, I should recommend trying them with 
live Gold-fish; with which I have more than once 
caught Pike under circumstances leading me to believe 
that if instead of one or two baits, I had had as many 
dozen, remarkable results might have followed. If Gold- 
fish are not forthcoming, small Carp form a very killing 
and long-lived bait. 
Under the head of Ground-baits, will be found an 
account of the best methods of attracting the different 
descriptions of bait within reach of the cast-net. Atten- 
tion to these will save the angler much time and trouble. 
In casting for Gudgeon the presence or absence of the 
