248 CASTING TACKLE AND METHODS 



rather, seek to suit the bass. Remains to be said 

 that there are days when nothing is so good as a 

 regular spoon, like the Skinner fluted. I have one 

 battered and marred by years of service and many a 

 pike's tooth, which never leaves my tackle case save 

 as it is attached to the end of my line. A number 3 

 or 4 should be about right. 



In addition to the foregoing articles, do not 

 neglect the gaff-hook, to take the place of the net- 

 head on occasion, or lacking that, a good thick club. 

 Pike, big pike, have a liking for a whirling spoon 

 and the angler must needs be ready for them even 

 if he is bass trolling. There is no way of warning 

 them from the lure, and I do not know that I would 

 if I could. I very seldom attach a sinker to my line, 

 unless using an exceedingly light spoon, depending 

 entirely upon the weight of the long line and the 

 slow motion of the boat to keep the lure where it 

 should be. The rodster will soon learn to govern 

 the depth at which the lure is to travel by the oars. 

 It is more simple than it sounds. 



Weeds are the bane of the troller's life. Early 

 in the season they are not plentiful but by August, 

 when trolling for bass is at its best, they are every- 

 where where there are fish, lying just below the 

 surface. Pretty they appear when you look down 

 through the clear water upon them, waving shadowy 

 hands, or standing straight and still, statuesque and 

 unreal. However, you forget their beauty once 



