900 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



pcrience has taught us that Mr. Cheek's tackle, generally, 

 cannot be exceeded for excellence of workmanship, and mode- 

 rate prices. 



For the live snap, no hook is so proper as the double spring 

 hook, which we have represented plate xvi. fig. 4. This is 

 the snap when set ; fig. 5, shows it sprung ; and fig. 7, the 

 same, baited. To bait it, nothing more is requisite than to 

 hang the fish to the small hook, under the back fin, which 

 may be done with so little injury to the fish that it will live 

 for hours. In all modes of pike-fishing, gudgeon is the best 

 bait, and next are dace ; they must be kept alive in a tin 

 kettle, with holes in the lid, and which in hot weather should 

 be placed in the water. 



The other live snap-hook is baited by the small hook being 

 thrust through the fish beneath the back fin ; and some use 

 a piece of silk or thread doubled, hung on the point of the 

 small hook, and brought under the belly of the bait, and tied 

 on the other side of the shanks of the large hooks ; care and 

 expedition are required in doing this, otherwise the bait will 

 be injured, and be incapable of swimming in the water 

 briskly. A cork float, the size of a burgamot pear, with a 

 small pistol-bullet of a quarter of an ounce in weight, not 

 only to poise, but also to keep the bait a proper depth in the 

 water, must be used, varying from two to three feet. When 

 tlie float is drawn under, allow it to be sunk considerably be- 

 fore striking, which in all snap-fishing should be with a smart 

 stroke, and directly contrary to the course the pike appears 

 to take ; the line must be kept tight, and the landing-net 

 should be used, as the throwing out of a large pike by force, 

 will certainly strain the sockets of the rod. 



A variety of hooks are used for the dead snap ; those we 

 have represented in plate xvii. fig. 1, is the dead snap, with 

 four hooks baited ; fig. 2 represents the arrangement of the 



