RIG FOR BOTTOM FISHING. 



59 



bamboo pole, being a rod without joints, of the same length, 

 and mounted the same, with top and guides of agate or car- 

 nelian ; multiplying reel like I, which shall carry from four to 

 six hundred feet of fine linen or silk line. Linen is the best 

 for bottom fishing, but it should be made of the finest and 

 strongest flax or hemp. You may use a double-gut leader, 

 three fourths of a yard long, or make a leader from your line, 

 which I prefer when bottom fishing for bass ranging from 

 three pounds upward ; then one hook only is used. Use a 

 tracing sinker in the form of a long roll or cylinder of lead, 

 three fourths of an inch in diameter, with a hole for the line 

 longitudinal, cutting off the weight required for a sinker ; or 

 let it be an oval form, as represented by G, with a swivel to 

 stop it at the top end of the leader, like J. The swivel should 

 be brass ; all swivels for use in salt water should be brass, 

 for steel is soon corroded. Thrust your line through the 

 sinker, and attach the end of your line to a swivel, and your 

 leader to the other end of the swivel. This leader may be 

 either linen or double gut of the silk-worm. If the latter, 

 the hook will require tying or winding on with waxed thread ; 

 if the former, the hook should be headed like a pin, and the 

 line fastened to it by three half hitches, as if for fishing with 

 menhaden bait. Shedder or soft-shell crab is preferred for 

 bait ; but, if it can not be procured, use shedder lobster. 



