AND HOW TO USE IT. 65 



then be allowed the fish for gorging, before 

 you strike ; unless, after having run off with 

 the bait and remained quiet a few miuutes, 

 the fish shakes the line and swims off; in which 

 case the probability is, that it has gorged 

 the bait and may be struck. It is always best 

 to allow full time, for if once the fish has 

 pouched the bait, it cannot get rid of it with- 

 out hooking itself. In striking to hook a jack 

 or pike, do not do so sharply, or you may 

 pull the bait out of the fish's mouth without 

 hooking it. Always wind up the slack line 

 before striking. If the fish swims deeply and 

 feels heavy on the line it is a fair sign that 

 it is a large fish, and well hooked. The 

 shaking of the line which generally takes place 

 after the fish has gorged the bait, arises from 

 its shaking its head to rid itself of the line. It 

 is always a signal for striking. 



A heavy pike must be played carefully, 

 for he jerks and plunges very desperately for 

 liberty, often leaping out of the water, and 

 then diving deeply and suddenly. It is by 

 checking and turning the fish when swimming 

 off, that the troller best succeeds in tiring it, 

 and he had better not be in too great hurry 



