Bait Angling for Common Fishes 



leader about six inches from the sinker, 

 which should be just heavy enough to hold 

 on the bottom. In such places as the docks 

 and piers the tide does not affect the 

 water, and a small sinker is enough, but 

 where the tide runs heavy the sinker can 

 be changed. It is easy to feel if the sinker 

 holds well, as the line does not belly out 

 and travel away, but stays in the spot it is 

 placed. As the fish swim near the bottom 

 in great schools four hooks are not too 

 many, and the bait should be fine, small 

 pieces that just cover the barb a larger 

 bait for so small a fish tempts them to 

 nibble away till they at last take all off the 

 hook without being caught. Hand-lines 

 are more frequently used, but a short, light 

 rod is always more handy and easier to 

 handle a fish of this kind, as it helps mate- 

 rially to land the fish quicker, either fishing 

 from a boat or dock. This little fish does 

 not require a reel, though at times I have 

 seen those huge six or eight-inch wooden 

 reels brought to play on these little fellows 

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