164 CASTING TACKLE AND METHODS 



To the point where the bass gives up the struggle, 

 whether the angler fishes from a boat or the bank, 

 wades or rides, the battle must be conducted in 

 essentially the same manner; now that the fish lies 

 inert and exhausted, there is a wide divergence in the 

 style of landing-net required. The fisherman who 

 wades will not employ the same sort of net the man 

 who casts from a boat finds most convenient; indeed 

 the latter's tool is very awkward for the former's 

 purpose. Furthermore, there is variety in nets also. 

 Just run through the advertising pages of almost any 

 outdoor magazine and note the offerings. If you 

 desire something beside a net, there are pinchers, 

 automatic gaffs, hand grippers and such like galore. 

 Surely the angler's individual desires and whims may 

 be satisfied. I do not expect to mention all nets, that 

 would be impossible, simply give the reader a rough 

 idea of the general style of net that should be used 

 for a given method of fishing, leaving the selecting 

 of the particular make to the fisherman. Then, in 

 concluding, I shall talk briefly of gaffs, for they must 

 have place in every bass angler's outfit. "The reason 

 therefor will hereinafter appear," as the.lawyers say. 



TKe net for the man who wades must possess a 

 short handle, and all bass nets should be wide of hoop 

 as compared with those employed in trout fishing. I 

 am not particular as to the shape of the hoop, you 

 may use the square-ender if you think it more con- 

 venient; but whatever shape you select be sure that 





