A FIRST LESSON IN CASTING 155 



and hit a spot 20 feet away. You have my sympathy 

 if the neighbors see you. 



In concluding this chapter I must add a word or 

 two regarding playing the fish, though the matter 

 will be treated at length in the chapters dealing with 

 actual fishing. In retreiving the lure the tip of the 

 rod should be pointed almost directly at the in-com- 

 ing plug, for usually bass attack as the lure moves 

 through the water; held so, the rod is in the best 

 position to strike the fish when it reaches the plug. 

 Swing the rod quickly. to the right and upwards until 

 it reaches an angle of say, 45 degrees; keep it so 

 with a constant strain upon the fish. (Ordinarily a 

 bass will attend to the strain.) If the fish leaps from 

 the water "goes into the air" hold the rod in 

 readiness to swing either to the right or left in order 

 that you may keep a taut line ; if the rodster neglects 

 to do this, the fish may "shake out" the hook and so 

 the "biggest bass of the day" be lost. Play your 

 fish, do not let him play you. If any one loses his 

 head let it be the fish. More bass are lost on account 

 of blue funk on the part of the angler than for any 

 other reason. 



