68 THE FISHING-ROD; 



In playing a hooked fish, and also when 

 you strike, turn the rod so that the winch is 

 uppermost, or the weight of a heavy fish 

 pressing upon the rings of the rod will not 

 only chafe the line very much, but may also 

 break off the rings. 



When the pike struggles very violently, 

 yield to him a little ; do not attempt to 

 check him suddenly, or he will break 

 away. 



Never attempt to land a pike until he 

 appears tired or tractable. 



Some anglers prefer the use of a float when 

 fishing for jack with a live bait. Whenever a 

 float is used it should be no larger than 

 necessary, because when drawn under water 

 a long distance, it may alarm the fish and 

 cause it to eject the bait ; or it may become 

 entangled among weeds and so check the fish 

 when running with the bait to its gorging 

 haunt. The float should never be fixed 

 more than 3 or 4 feet above the baited hook 

 when fishing for pike, though the water be 

 6 or 8 feet deep ; and in shallow water it 

 should be much less. 



