PATERXOSTERIXGr FOR TIKE. . 1.31 



with a couple of gimp hooks, and a bait on each. By 

 this means every inch of water can be thoroughly tried ; 

 but as, when the pike runs, the lead or the spare hook 

 and bait is apt at times to catch in a stone or weed, and 

 the single hook being smallish often lets the pike escape, 

 the fish have a fairer chance of getting off than with the 

 float and triangle, and a small triangle will often be found 

 preferable to a single hook. Small baits and short law 

 must, of course, be the order of the day. Some people set 

 their faces altogether against the use of a live bait ; but 

 when the snap style is used, with a single bait, I do not 

 think it is so objectionable, as I am sure that if the fish 

 are in the humour far more fish are actually hooked in 

 spinning than by any other means. Another reason why 

 some persons prefer live baiting, is that a larger bait can 

 be used, and there is far less likelihood of losing a large 

 fish when once hooked, in live baiting, than spinning ; and 

 there is some reason for this belief. 



There are various other baits used for pike -fishing, when 

 fish are scarce ; but it is needless to say that none of them 

 are equal to fish in point of attractiveness. Perhaps a 

 good yellow lively frog ranks next in the estimation of the 

 pike. The way to bait a frog is to use one large long* 

 shanked hook, pass it through the under lip and draw the 

 hook down under the belly until the bend lies beside the 

 thigh of the hind leg, to which it should be tied with a 

 lap or two of silk ; then work him after the fashion of a 

 live bait. Mice, water-rats, and dead birds, will all be 

 taken at times, and an artificial rat may be made from a 

 slice of the skin of a cow's tail, which is said to answer 

 the purpose well ; as I never used it, however, I cannot 

 speak to its efficacy ; but if an artificial bait be used, a 

 good large spoon bait is perhaps as attractive as any. A 

 supplementary triangle is sometimes added to the side of 

 a spoon, as fish often run and miss the end hooks, and it 



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