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MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 



should always be borne in mind that with snap-tackle, 

 whether spinning or live-bait, the larger the bait the 

 greater are the chances against fairly hooking a fish. 

 And this is a rule to which, from the necessity of the 

 case, no tackle can be an exception. Four or five ounces 

 is about the maximum weight of any bait which can be 

 properly worked on live-bait snap-tackle ; where bigger 

 baits are necessary (and in some waters, as for instance 

 Slapton Ley, fish of half a pound and upwards are very 

 commonly used), recourse should be had to live-bait 

 gorge tackle, which will be described presently. 



Probably the best live bait of all for thick or clouded 

 waters is a medium-sized Dace, as its scales are pecu- 

 liarly brilliant, and the fish itself by no means easily 

 killed. In case of waters in which the Pike are Over- 

 fed, or obstinately insensible to the attractions of the 

 ordinary baits, I should recommend trying them with 

 live Gold-fish ; with which I have more than once 

 caught Pike under circumstances leading me to believe 

 that if instead of one or two baits, I had had as many 

 dozen, remarkable results might have followed. If Gold- 

 fish are not forthcoming, small Carp form a very killing 

 and long-lived bait. 



Under the head of Ground-baits, will be found an 

 account of the best methods of attracting the different 

 descriptions of bait within reach of the cast-net. Atten- 

 tion to these will save the angler much time and trouble. 

 In casting for Gudgeon the presence or absence of the 



