374 PICKEREL FISHING. 



baits, but Avhere small fish can be procured, no other will be 

 wanted : of all the baits mentioned, I prefer a moderate-sized 

 gudgeon, more especially for the gorge-hook, as the sweetness 

 of the fish makes the Pike more eager to pouch it. 



" On a dark day, and when the water is not very clear, T 

 should prefer a clean, bright, small roach, dace, or bleak, parti- 

 cularly when fishing at the snap. When your fish are not kept 

 alive in a bait-can, they should be carried in a tin box, and laid 

 in a little fine bran, or pollard, and carefully washed before you 

 bait with them. 



"TROLLING TACKLE. 



" The rod should be of strong bamboo cane, and from ten to 

 twelve feet long, with a tolerably stiff top of whalebone or 

 hickory ; the rings should be five in number and not less than 

 three-eighths of an inch in diameter in the opening, that the 

 line may run freely. 



" A strong winch will be required, which must hold at least 

 forty yards of line, that is not subject to kink. Mr. Jesse 

 recommends a trolling-line sold by Mr. Barth, of Cockspur- 

 street, and I have seen a very good sort of line for this purpose, 

 manufactured by Mr. Bazin, Duncan-place, Hackney. Some 

 trollers prefer a rod twenty feet long, in Avhich case your cast on 

 the water is made in the same manner as in spinning the 

 minnow for Trout, but with a longer line; and the lighter 

 your bait falls upon the water the greater your success. Mr. 

 Jesse strongly recommends the use of a wooden reel, one of 

 about four inches and a half across, having the rim grooved for 

 the reception of the line. 



