ARTIFICIAL BAITS 99 



this kind. The best way to fish under these condi- 

 tions is to start on the windward side of the weed*, 

 preferably keeping near the edge, and drift over, cast- 

 ing ahead of you as you go. Make short casts and 

 lots of them. Keep the tip of the rod pointing at the 

 bait and reel just fast enough to clear the tops of the 

 weeds. When you come to an obstruction of any kind 

 stop reeling and permit the bait to float over. Two 

 men fishing in a boat over a weed bed of this kind 

 can cover the water very thoroughly. 



Other shallow places like bars, flats, and gravel beds 

 near islands and points are also good places to try the 

 wobbler. In small lakes and slow streams or where 

 the weeds come to or above the surface, keep out fifty 

 or sixty feet and cast in as near the weeds as possible 

 without snagging. Don't overlook the "pockets" or 

 indentations in the edge of the weed line, because that 

 is where the big fellows are likely to be loafing. Be- 

 cause of its darting motion a wobbler when it catches 

 on a weed does so in a way that makes your heart 

 jump. Give a slight lift of the rod whenever you feel 

 any resistance it may be a fish! 



Another place for the wobbler is where there is 

 "patchy" bottom alternate spots of sand and gravel 

 and bottom moss or other small weed growth. This 

 type of bottom is usually in shallow water. Some- 

 times it is a natural condition; more often it is an old 

 spawning bed of bass or sunfish. Bass and pickerel 

 both love to lie in the protection of the weeds and 

 watch the clear spots, since minnows also choose place* 



