82 PRACTICAL BAIT CASTING 



up to 20 pounds, providing, of course, it has been play- 

 ed sufficiently. It costs $1.00. 



For very large fish, a large sharp gaff hook is needed, 

 and sometimes it is advisable to shoot the fish with a 

 pistol or revolver before taking him into the boat. Of 

 course, you can use the Gloucester fisherman's method 

 of landing a large fish. That is, by tipping the boat 

 and permitting the fish to float in, but this is not 

 recommended for the average man. 



Beware of the hook without handle, which the tackle 

 catalogue says "Can be cut from any tree." You go 

 fishing to fish, not to prowl around the woods looking 

 for a gaff handle which you probably won't find. 



Swivels are not used as much by casters as by troll- 

 ers, but a few should be carried. Let them be brass 

 barrel swivels, sizes 4, 5, and 6, which cost about 

 a penny each. Strange but true, you still find fisher- 

 men using the split ring. Better, in fact almost indis- 

 pensable, to the caster, is the snap swivel, or swivel 

 snap. Tied on the end of the line it affords quick 

 means of changing baits and will hold about anything 

 that swims in fresh water. Those with Number 4 

 swivels are about right. They cost about 50 cents 

 a dozen. 



Gut leaders are of no use to the caster, but the 

 wire traces are. They prevent pike or pickerel biting 

 the line. Those of piano wire are stiff and interfere 

 with the action of some baits, especially wobblers. Bet- 

 ter still is the flexible wire leader. It is made of 

 picture cord, with a loop or barrel swivel at one end 



