CHAPTER V. 



SNAP-FISHING ROD, TACKLES, BAIT, ETC. 



A PIKE-ANGLER intent on livebait snap- 

 fishing should fit up his rod with the short 

 top. I had a pike-rod constructed by Mr. J. R. 

 Richardson, Kingston-on-Thames, of whole cane, 

 that is well balanced and a powerful weapon. He 

 also makes another with a cork grip, a most 

 excellent weapon for livebait pike-fishing, and 

 equally adapted for sea-fishing. Before passing 

 the subject of pike-rods, I must mention the 

 fine workmanship, strength, and reliability of the 

 whole-cane pike-rods made by J. Gillett, of Fetter 

 Lane. 



A pike-angler's reel should contain a hundred 

 yards of No. 2 plaited silk waterproofed line, the 

 last forty yards of which it is well to rub with deer 

 fat, or mutton fat, to make it float better. Some 

 anglers advocate the use of two or three small 

 perforated globular corks, called pilot-floats, which 

 slide on the line and keep it afloat. I don't believe 

 they are of much use, but, if anything, nuisances, 

 and in the way. He will require a trace either 

 of gimp or twisted gut, the latter being much the 



