WHEN TO STRIKE, &c. 61 



and use a snap with a live-bait when you find the fish 

 will not pouch. Further, recollect, when you have a 

 run, and the Jack or Pike remains still (after having 

 taken the bait and gone a certain distance) for three 

 minutes or more, and then shakes and tugs the line and 

 moves away, wind up the slack line and strike, but not 

 with much force, because you will find if either a Jack or 

 Pike has laid still for three minutes or more, and then 

 becomes restless, he has pouched the bait (which they 

 sometimes do the moment they take it) and begins to 

 feel the hooks. 



When you have hooked a fish while Live-bait Fishing, 

 act as directed with the gorge hook, that is, do not strain 

 on him too hard, keep him from heavy weeds and dange- 

 rous places as much as you can ; and lastly, when bring- 

 ing him (either Jack or Pike) to a convenient place for 

 landing, and he comes very quiet, yet be prepared to ex- 

 pect he will, when almost in your hands, make some des- 

 perate plunges, shaking his head, opening his mouth, 

 shewing his red gills, &c. prepare for this probable case 

 with coolness, and when such occurs, let Mr. Jack or Pike 

 have a few more turns in his own element, and when he 

 again becomes tractable, you may be more sanguine of 

 bagging him. You are to note that many very heavy 

 fish are lost through the anxiety of getting them on shore, 

 and especially at the time the violent struggling takes 

 place, which I have described, for then the troller should 



