192 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 



an advantage, as being more readily seen ; and in cases 

 where the Pike are known to be of exceptional size, a 

 bait of one or other of the two last-named species, and 

 larger than a Gudgeon, may be desirable. As a general 

 rule it is always safe to use a small bait when the water 

 is low and bright, and a larger one when it is full or 

 clearing after a flood. 



These observations are limited, as pointed out, to a 

 comparison of the baits commonly recommended in 

 angling works and used by Trollers. There is, however, 

 a Pike-bait that is not recommended by any author, so 

 far as I am aware, but which is well worthy of the atten- 

 tion of Spinners : I refer to the Eel. It has been found 

 by experience that Pike in stews prefer Eels to any other 

 fish as food, and also fatten upon them more rapidly, and 

 a consideration of this fact first led me to try the Eel — 

 though doubtless it has often been tried before — as a 

 spinning bait for Pike. It appeared only probable 

 that the food which was most popular in a stew would 

 also be most popular in the open river or lake. This 

 deduction has certainly been justified by the result of 

 my experiment ; for since I have used the Eel-bait I 

 have caught both a greater number of Pike, and those of 

 decidedly a larger average size than I ever took in the 

 same waters, either stagnant or running, with any of 

 the ordinary baits. I have also tested the one against the 

 other on the same day and water, and the advantage 

 has always been unmistakably with the Eel-bait, whether 



