BAITS FOR TROLLING. 39 



Jack or Pike strike a Gudgeon/ they less seldom blow it 

 out of their mouths again instead of pouching it, than any 

 other bait. The same reason holds in respect of Live- 

 Bait Fishing, and farther, that Gudgeons will swim 

 stronger, and live longer on the hook than any other fish; 

 and also keep low in the water, whereas Roach, Dace and 

 particularly Bleak, endeavour to reach or swim near the 

 surface of the water, and if the Jack or Pike follows and 

 sees the angler, they generally refuse the bait and retire. 



The next best bait I consider is Roach, and during the 

 months of January, February and March, I use it in prefe- 

 rence to a Gudgeon; the best size to choose a Gudgeon, 

 Roach, or Dace for trolling with the gorge, or in Live-Bait 

 Fishing for Jack or Pike, is about five inches in length; but 

 when you go snap fishing, a larger bait is preferable, be- 

 cause Jack or Pike will frequently seize a large bait, though 

 they will not pouch it, which is a loosing game for the 

 gorge troller or Live-Bait Fisher; but not so with the 

 snap angler, because the instant the Jack or Pike strikes 

 his bait, the angler, with a strong jerk, fixes the hooks into 

 either Pike or Jack; and as a large bait is most attracting, 

 of course the snap fisher should prefer it to a small one. 



The next bait in value to Gudgeons ad Roach are 

 Dace and Bleak ; if you cannot procure any of those four 

 baits, you may take any small fish (Tench excepted) you 

 can procure, and with any of them you may kill Jack or 



