LIVE-BAIT FISHING. 21/ 



hook on gimp ; with the aid of the baiting-needle the 

 gimp is inserted under the skin of the bait, just behind 

 its pectoral fin, brought out again near the end of the 

 back fin, and drawn carefully through until the shank of 

 the hook is hidden under the skin. The loop of the gimp 

 is then attached to the hooked swivel on the trace, and 

 the arrangement is complete. 



The disadvantage of this tackle as with all other Gorge- 

 bait tackle is, of course, that the Pike has the opportunity 

 of rejecting after taking it if he thinks proper. On the 

 other hand the hooks are less seen than those used in 

 snap fishing, and the fish consequently is less likely to be 

 frightened by them. Its most useful province is when 

 in a lake or other large sheet of water the fisherman 

 wishes to carry on two kinds of fishing at once, say for 

 Perch and Jack. He can then leave his Gorge-bait to 

 take care of itself whilst he wanders away with his other 

 rod, returning at intervals to see if he has had a run. 

 When the rod is thus left, 20 or 30 yards of line should 

 also be left by its side carefully uncoiled, so that it will 

 run out easily if the bait is taken. It must be added, 

 however, that this " leaving-the-rod-to-fish-for-itself " 

 mode of operation is not many degrees removed from 

 Trimmering, which ought to be the abomination of all 

 Pike fishers. 



