134 PIKE AND OTHER COARSE FISH. 



A really efficient live-bait snap-tackle, and one which has 

 been extensively used for many years by pike-fishers on the 

 Thames, was, I believe, the invention of Henry R. Francis, 

 Esq., M.A., author of the 'Fly Fisher and his Library.' 



It consists first of a triangle composed of two large hooks 

 and one small short one, whipped on to them, with a move- 

 able lip hook above. The lip hook is put through the bait's 

 lip (not lips, N.B.) and the small triangle hook into the back 

 just at the insertion of the back fin. The result is a bait which, 

 when once a pike has taken hold of it, is exceedingly good for 

 returning the compliment ; as ordinarily employed, however 

 that is by attaching to lip and back fin it cannot be said to 

 embrace all the qualifications really necessary to the ideal of a 

 perfect snap live-bait tackle. 



One great objection to it is that the bait is suspended in a 

 most unnatural position in the water, standing, in fact, except 

 when it rights itself by a sudden muscular exertion, upon its 

 tail. This, of course, prevents it freely ' roving,' to use the 

 technical expression, and its orbit of attraction is limited to a 

 comparatively small compass. When, moreover, the bait does 

 exert itself for a swim its first effort is naturally to carry it to 

 the surface of the water which is contrary to the theory of live- 

 baiting and the object of the leads. 



Of the minor imperfections, it may be observed that any 

 hooking of the lips of the live-bait is to be avoided if possible, 

 as it interferes with the respiratory functions and necessarily 

 tends to shorten the existence and lessen the vitality of the bait. 



What is wanted is, firstly, that the hooks should be sus- 

 pended in such a position as to be certain of striking when the 

 bait lies in the pike's mouth in its normal position, i.e. cross- 

 wise ; secondly, that the lips and the respiratory organs of the 

 bait should not be interfered with, and thirdly, that the position 

 of the bait on the hooks when in the water should be the 

 normal one, namely, horizontal, or nearly so, and with the head 

 pointing rather downwards than upwards, to prevent the ten- 

 dency of the bait to rise to the suiiuce. 



