76 THE PIKE. 



surely bury the hooks deeply and well over their 

 barbs. Some anglers advocate a succession of 

 short, sharp strikes, but these seldom drive the 

 hooks home, and often result in snapping the 

 top joint, or the trace, at possibly a knot or a 

 swivel. 



In keen frosts, however, it is not of much use 

 spinning, for in such weather pike retire to the 

 deeps, and the best way then is to paternoster 

 or to fish snap, with the livebait as deep down 

 in the water as possible. Of natural baits for pike- 

 spinning, none equal small dace and gudgeon, both 

 of which, because of their shape, spin better than 

 roach, and being tougher, last longer on the flight. 

 Next to them is a small roach or chub ; but when 

 waters are somewhat discoloured or swollen, a dace 

 of rather larger size, also because of its brighter 

 scales, may be used with advantage. 



In London and other large cities and towns 

 livebait can be obtained at the fishing-tackle shops, 

 but in country places, where it is necessary to catch 

 them, a sweep-net or casting-net must be used ; 

 and as some practice is required in the using of the 

 latter net, it is wise for the caster to put on a 

 waterproof, to prevent himself getting wet. A few 

 handfuls of groundbait thrown into the water which 

 the netsman can most conveniently cover with the 

 expanse of his cast-net, will draw the small fish 

 together and ensure a catch. A bait-can will be 

 found necessary to keep the baits alive, for stale, 

 flaccid baits are not much good for spinning, and 

 from the livebait-can they may be transferred to 

 the punt-well, or a floating perforated bait trunk, 

 or one with zinc gratings, where they will live for 

 weeks if occasionally fed with gentles or small 



