38 



THE SMALL-MOUTHED BASS 



first; so that, if the bait be properly arranged, the bass will 

 invariably be hooked in the upper part of the mouth, and 

 its chance of escape reduced to a minimum. 



But the greatest care must be taken to allow sufficient 

 time to elapse after the strike is felt, so that the bass may 

 get the minnow well into its mouth; otherwise it is sure to 

 escape, while the minnow will be set free. 



The novice will lose many a fish, as well as the bait it- 

 self, by being in too great a hurry. 



I have watched the capture of minnows by bass so fre- 

 quently, that, for the benefit of the amateur angler, it may 

 be well to give here my experience. 



The bass, if very hungry, often rushes at a minnow and 

 seizes it before one has time to observe the details of the 

 attack; but usually, as stated above, it swims slowly up on 

 one side, perhaps backing up slightly, and then swims sud- 

 denly around to the other side, bu.t always keeping its head 

 directed at a right angle to the line of motion of the min- 

 now, and finally approaches so that it is within an inch or 

 two of the unfortunate bait; so close, in fact, sometimes, 

 as to give one the impression that it possesses the sense of 

 smell. 



It will then suddenly open its mouth and seize the min- 



