PICKEREL FISHING. 23 



A small sail boat, or skiff is used, with an attendant 

 to manage the boat as you direct. You can use the 

 live bait, or an artificial bait, as is most convenient. 

 Some sportsmen are very fortunate with the artificial 

 bait. A stiff rod and reel, with the same tackle as 

 before described, and no sinker is all that is requi- 

 site. The boat should move gently, and let your 

 line drag far in the rear. With artificial bait the fish 

 is hooked almost instantly. If you use live bait, be 

 exceedingly careful in determining when the fish has 

 gorged it. You should give him several minutes 

 after he has seized it, for this purpose. On seeing the 

 bait, a pickerel will generally run off with it, and 

 will then stop to gorge it, but does not always do so. 

 The sign that he has swallowed it is a peculiar slack- 

 ening of the line, which experienced anglers can 

 easily understand. But if he has gorged the bait, 

 he will soon start off a second time, and sometimes 

 will stop and start off the third time. In these cases 

 you should never be in a hurry. When you are con- 

 vinced that he has taken down the bait, draw a tight 

 line, and strike for your fish. If he is large you 

 should play with him until he is quite exhausted, or 

 you may lose him in the attempt to land. The diffi- 

 culty of taking a pickerel from the hook may be ob- 

 viated in a measure by gagging. For this porpose 

 some anglers provide themselves with prepared 

 sticks, of various lengths. If the hook is completely 

 swallowed, as is frequently the case, open the stomach 

 in the middle, cut away the hook, and unslipping the 



