FROM LAND AND PIER 191 



use for pike, except that in the case of pollack the trace must 

 be weighted heavily enough to bring the bait near the bottom, 

 unless it be evening, when these fish rise to the surface. 



Bass, on the other hand, very often feed close to the sur- 

 face, not far from the shore ; so that for them little lead is 

 necessary, only enough, indeed, to enable the angler to cast his 

 tackle with accuracy and to a sufficient distance. I doubt if 

 there is anything better for the trace than twisted gut. The 

 length between the lead and the running tackle should be about 

 eighteen inches, and between the lead and the other end of 

 the trace three feet or a little more. 



In the chapter on Fishing from Small Boats I have very 

 carefully described the best forms of lead, and the position 

 in which the swivels should be placed. The various kinds of 

 bait which may be used have been described in a chapter 

 particularly devoted to them, and the tiro should very care- 

 fully study the remarks on bass, pollack, and other fish which 

 come near the shore, to be found in the chapter more par- 

 ticularly devoted to surface-swimming fish. 



Suppose now that the angler is standing on some rocky 

 point a well-known haunt of bass, best fished at spring tides 

 and the tide is rising. There is a gentle breeze blowing on the 

 shore, causing a slight rippling of the surface, and all condi- 

 tions are favourable to sport. Taking the spinning rod in his 

 right hand, he should unroll on to the ground thirty or forty 

 yards of line, and hold the line near the lowest ring in his left 

 hand. The trace and about three or four feet of line should be 

 dangling from the end of the rod. He should then make his 

 first cast and, as the bait flies out over the water, let the loose 

 line pass through his left hand before it enters the rod rings. 

 The first cast or two should be short ones. The length can 

 gradually be increased as confidence and skill are acquired. 



When the bait touches the water, the angler, if bass are 



