628 



Popular Science Monthly 



is made by reeling in the minnow or plug 

 until it is about 6-in. from the tip. Release 

 the click or drag, press the ball of the 

 thumb firmly on the line on the spool, 

 and swing the rod across the body until 

 it is in the position shown in Fig. 8 — the 

 tip being about breast high. Now bring 

 the rod quickly forward across the body 



Fig. 10. The overhead cast is generally 

 used by fishermen and tournament casters 



in the direction you want to cast, and 

 relax the thumb sufficiently to let the line 

 run out freely, but still keep enough 

 tension on the spool to prevent it from 

 over-running and causing a back lash. 

 The correct underhand cast is completed 

 as shown in Fig. 9. 



Fig. 11. The bait is projected in the direction 

 the caster is facing and the finish is as shown 



The overhead cast is more largely used 

 by both fishermen and tournament casters; 

 for a greater distance is covered, and after 



a little practice a greater degree of ac- 

 curacy is possible. It is made similar to 

 the underhand cast, but the rod is carried 

 back over the shoulder until it is almost 

 horizontal, as shown in Fig. 10. The 

 arm is now snapped quickly forward and 

 suddenly checked when the rod has reached 

 an angle of about 45 deg., the thumb is 

 partly relaxed, and the bait is projected in 

 the direction the caster is facing. The 

 finish of the overhead cast is shown in 

 Fig. 11. 



When reeling in the line for another cast, 

 and when playing a fish, the skillful caster 

 prefers to spool the line evenly on the 

 reel by guiding it between the thumb and 

 finger, as shown in Fig. 12. 



When casting for bass, pickerel and 

 other fresh water game fishes, the cast is 

 finished by merely checking the revolving 

 spool as the bait hits the water. The 

 splash of the minnow or other artificial 

 bait, rather attracts than frightens the 

 fish, hence the angler may use any form 

 of bait desired. 



The artificial baits now used are of three 

 prominent types; those used on the surface, 

 the diving or underwater baits, and the 

 top-water or weedless lures. The minnow 



Fig. 12. The line is evenly spooled on the reel 

 by guiding it between the thumb and finger 



form, which floats when at rest, but dives 

 when reeled in, is the best for all-around 

 use, equally attractive for pickerel and 

 black bass. However, there are many 

 different forms of varying sizes and colors 

 to choose from, some for general and others 

 for special purposes. 



To become a successful angler the caster 

 should know something about the habits 

 of the pickerel or bass in his neighboring 

 waters. In the early days of Spring, when 

 the water is cool, bass are likely to be 

 found in the shallower parts of the stream 

 or lake during the day, and casting should 

 be done around rocks, sand-bars, old 

 stumps, or submerged branches. Pickerel 

 will also be found in the warmer shoal 

 water during this season, and as both 

 species are feeding on minnows and hel- 

 gramites, the best baits are the common 



