BAIT-CASTER AND BASSES 79 



caused either by local rains or rains nearer the head- 

 waters. When the rise is on and before the water has 

 become too high and discolored is a propitious time ; it is, 

 however, something in the nature of a psychological 

 moment, for although the fishing may be very good 

 while it lasts, it lasts but a short time. Then it is a 

 case of waiting for the stream to go down. 



The black bass, either the large- or small-mouth, is 



one of the most erratic of game fishes. Bass fishermen 



of long experience generally come to the 



Bass Habits conclusion that, no matter how well ac- 



N a rt^ <l ua i nte d one ma y ^ e w i tn tne waters 

 fished and the customary habits and habi- 

 tats of the bass therein, it is impossible for one to fore- 

 cast with any certainty where the bass may be found 

 or what sort of food or bait they may at any time 

 prefer. In general bass habits are in great measure a 

 matter of locality. Not only will a bass taken from a 

 certain lake differ appreciably in coloration, and some- 

 times slightly in formation, from one taken from a lake 

 closely adjacent, but in the contrasted waters the habits 

 of the fish will differ considerably. As above suggested 

 you cannot do better, when about to fish new waters, 

 than to rely upon the guidance of a resident angler. It 

 is possible that you may know more about bass fishing 

 than he does, but he will know more about the bass in 

 that particular lake than do you. 



The Tackle for Bait-casting 



First-class sport in angling for any game fish is 

 essentially a matter of the tackle and methods employed. 



