LIVE-BAIT FISHING. 21$ 



fish, which can commonly be detected by the eye, is the 

 best guide to be followed. This guide failing, however, 

 " raking" is often an excellent expedient (see Gudgeon- 

 fishing.) 



A live-bait can, which will be a convenience to live- 

 bait fishers, when unaccompanied by an attendant, is 

 described in the general Chapter on Tackle (p. 60) ; where 

 also will be found directions for preserving live bait. 



How and where to use the Live Bait. 



The " How" of live-bait fishing is simple enough. In 

 warm weather, and generally throughout the summer, 

 the bait should swim at about mid-water ; in cold or 

 wintry weather at about one-third from the bottom, — 

 those being the positions respectively occupied by the 

 fish at such periods. The bait should not be left too 

 long in one place, but be kept gently moving about, or 

 ** roving," as the old writers have it, either by force of 

 the current or with the aid of the fisherman's hand and 

 rod. If baits run short it will generally be found the 

 better plan, instead of going on fishing with a specimen 

 that has lost its activity and attractiveness, to keep 

 bright, lively baits on the hook whilst they last, and then 

 to use up the dead ones again, either with the Spinning 

 or Gorge Tackle. A three-quarters defunct live bait is 

 certainly " a delusion," but rarely a snare so far as the 

 Pike is concerned. 



In ponds, and sheets of water of small extent, the 



