98 CASTING TACKLE AND METHODS 



conclusion that, as a rule, when bass are not taking 

 minnows it makes little difference whether or not the 

 lure duplicates the prevalent food so long as it is 

 handled adroitly. Consequentially, so far as my 

 observation goes, more depends upon the skill of the 

 rodster than upon mere color. The reader may be 

 somewhat surprised to find the writer coming to this 

 conclusion, but it is the result of lengthy experiments 

 in many waters and under varying conditions. 



I have fished with men using pork-rind,' while I 

 employed the best of artificial lures, yet the porkers 

 caught two fish to my one. How many bass will a 

 pork-rind attract in 24 hours, if you just let it hang 

 in the water, think you? Suppose you try it. Pork 

 rind is a good lure; I use the word advisedly ; it is not 

 a bait, per se, when kept in motion. Here is food 

 for thought. Now, suppose we turn our attention 



SURFACE LURES 



The surface lure is a comparatively modern in- 

 vention, or rather development of the casting plug. 

 Logically it should be discussed last, because the 

 latest member of the family 1 to appear, but in view 

 of its importance it should be given first place. I 

 think there is no room for argument here. While 

 there are times when the under-water is the availing 

 lure, taking the matter by and large, the surface-lure 

 is the best all around type for average casting. Of 

 course the angler will take into consideration, first, 



