18 ANGLING. 



CHAPTER II. 

 MID-WATER FISHING. 



THE second division of fishing is that of mid- water fishing, 

 and this may be sub-divided between spinning and live 

 baiting. Taking live baiting first as being linked with 

 float fishing ; this is practised in two ways, with a float 

 and without a float ; live baiting with a float is employed 

 for taking pike, perch, and sometimes trout. The float 

 and weight of the tackle are proportioned to the size of 

 the bait. When a large bait is used a heavy weight is 

 required to keep it down in the water, as the tendency of all 

 fish, when hooked, is to strike upwards towards the surface. 

 It is often necessary, when the fish to be caught are very 

 large, to use large dace and roach of three and four to the 

 pound as baits ; and in this case the float is made of cork, 

 and it is as large as a good- sized Bergamot pear. In 

 this style of fishing, which is chiefly for pike, one bait 

 will be found enough ; and it is desirable to have a swivel 

 between the float and the hooks, in order if the fish turns 

 round much that he should not twist and hang the line up, 

 as often happens without this ; and it is as well to have 

 another swivel to attach the tackle to the reel line, so that 

 the reel or running line may not be entangled with the 

 tackle. Also it is desirable that the running line should 



