HOW TO TROLL. 89 



between each, draw for about three seconds, the line at the 

 same time being gathered in by the left hand. This gives 

 time for the bait to dart downwards again between each 

 draw. A gorge-bait, when cast out thus, should be worked 

 much slower than a spinning bait. 



With regard to the depth at which to fish, and the most 

 likely places to find pike at various seasons of the year, the 

 reader should consult Chapter I., where he will find such 

 matters gone into at considerable length. 



If the angler is fishing with snap trolling tackle (see Fig. 50), 

 he will, of course, strike immediately on feeling that a pike 

 has seized the bait. But if he is using gorge-tackle, he must 

 act very differently. In the first place, he should hold the 

 line very lightly in the left hand, and be ready both to release 

 it and to lower the rod-point on feeling the slightest pull 

 from a pike. Often and often do trollers mistake the catching 

 of a weed for the run of a pike, and, after having patiently 

 waited the usual five to ten minutes, strike, only to find out 

 their mistake. Sometimes pike seize a bait very gently, and 

 rest with it in their mouths for a few seconds; at others 

 they dash off with it at a great speed, making the reel spin 

 again. If they experience the slightest check, they of course 

 find out the deception, and leave the bait. On this account, 

 it is as well to have no check on the reel, except when 

 the fish is being played. With a movable check this 

 is easily managed. In the usual way, a pike darts out 

 from his haunt, seizes the bait across the middle, and 

 the troller feels two tugs at the line. The pike then moves 

 slowly off, stopping occasionally, perhaps, to give the bait a 

 shake, until he has run out 5yds. to 10yds. of line. He is 

 then at home, and leisurely proceeds to turn the bait, and 

 swallow it, head foremost. At the end of five minutes from 

 the time that he ceased running he will probably have gorged, 

 and commence to move off on the war-path again. Then strike. 

 If you like, to make matters more sure, wait ten minutes 

 instead of five. After striking, get him out of the weeds 

 as best you can. A gaff with a long, stiff handle, is at times 

 very useful. 



