HINTS ON FISHING 159 



the lure be started back before or the very instant it 

 strikes the water. As stated before this can be done 

 by giving the rod a twitch to one side with the left 

 hand as one shifts hands preliminary to reeling in. 

 As the bait is being retrieved the rod-tip should be 

 kept pointing at it, at all times being lowered gradually 

 as the bait nears the boat. 



We give this advice with the full realization that 

 many expert casters reel in with the rod-butt rest- 

 ing on their chests and the rod-tip pointing almost 

 straight up in the air. They learned this way in the 

 early days, or got the habit from someone who did, 

 and they find it hard to change. Most of them, if 

 you will press the point, will admit that it is the 

 wrong way. 



When the rod-tip is pointing at the bait you are 

 always in a position to strike quickly, which is done 

 by giving a slight jerk upward with the rod to set 

 the hooks. The mouth roofs of most fishes caught 

 by bait casting are bony in structure and the hook 

 always should be driven home. When reeling with 

 the rod-tip pointing up, unless you are very expert 

 with the rod, you are very likely to strike too late; 

 also if you should get a strike near the boat (and 

 sometimes they come right out from under the boat) 

 you are likely to smash the tip of your rod. By all 

 means learn to reel with your rod-tip low and do not 

 let anyone talk you into doing it any other way unless 

 it be for the purpose of keeping the line dry. 



After the fish is hooked you should play him or tire 



