150 LAKE AND STREAM GAME FISHING 



As he comes up out of the water let your rod 

 straighten out and give him slack, but take it away 

 from him as he strikes the water. Except when a 

 bass breaks water, the line should be taut at all times, 

 and a bend kept in the rod. This spring of the rod 

 is the pressure that eventually tires him while you are 

 playing him. Trying to hurry the fish to the net is 

 often the cause of a lost big one. Give him line 

 when he wants it, but make him fight for it, reeling 

 in at every chance. If you have him out in clean 

 water, away from the weeds and snags of the shal- 

 lows, give him a bit of line and enjoy a real piece of 

 sport by playing him until he shows his wide side up. 

 When you bring a fish to net, lead him up to the 

 net head first. Have the net about a foot under 

 water and lead your fish right into it. Don't move 

 the net towards him. That scares a fish into a fight 

 of renewed vigor that will likely end with a lost fish. 

 Keep the net perfectly still and when he is inside raise 

 it with a quick motion into the boat. 



WATCH YOUR BAIT 



The majority of bass strike an artificial bait the 

 moment it hits the water or as it starts on the way 

 back to the caster, although at times they will strike 

 close up to the boat. This makes it necessary to 

 make a quick transfer of the rod from the right hand 

 to the left and to start reeling in the line as the bait 

 hits the water. This prompt starting of the reel 



