LIVE-BAIT FISHING. 213 
fish, which can commonly be detected by the eye, is the 
best guide to be followed. This guide failing, however, 
“raking” is often an excellent expedient (see Gudgeon- 
fishing.) 
A live-bait can, which will be a convenience to live- 
bait fishers, when unaccompanied by: an attendant, is 
described in the general Chapter on Tackle (p. 60) ; where 
also will be found directions for preserving live bait. 
How and where to use the Live Bait. 
The “ How” of live-bait fishing is simple enough. In 
warm weather, and generally throughout the summer, 
the bait should swim at about mid-water; in cold or 
wintry weather at about one-third from the bottom,— 
those being the positions respectively occupied by the 
fish at such periods. The bait should not be left too 
long in one place, but be kept gently moving about, or 
‘roving,’ as the old writers have it, either by force of 
the current or with the aid of the fisherman’s hand and 
rod. If baits run short it will generally be found the 
better plan, instead of going on fishing with a specimen 
that has lost its activity and attractiveness, to keep 
bright, lively baits on the hook whilst they last, and then 
to use up the dead ones again, either with the Spinning 
or Gorge Tackle. A three-quarters defunct live bait is 
certainly “a delusion,” but rarely a snare so far as the 
Pike is concerned. 
In ponds, and sheets of water of small extent, the 
