THE GUDGEON. 



GUDGEON are small, dark-brown-spotted fish, 

 about the size of sprats when full grown ; but 

 instead of being flat-sided, are rounded in form, 

 . and in consequence make the best natural 

 bait for spinning. The spots on the tail 

 fins are very small, but those on the lateral line are 

 of good size. They are tough baits, and pike often 

 prefer them to dace ; a small gudgeon is a very 

 good bait for a big perch, especially when pater- 

 nostering. It should be placed on the lower 

 hook when two hooks are employed, as gudgeon 

 swim near the ground. They are always good 

 bait for pike, and try to reach the bottom, rarely 

 entangling themselves in the tackle, as is frequently 

 the case with dace, which work upwards more than 

 gudgeon,and in doing this, sometimes get entangled 

 in the line above the float if it be allowed to sink. 



Gudgeon swim in shoals and search every inch 

 of the bottom for food ; it is pretty to see them 

 " working," and easily done in clear, shallow water, 

 for they are not particularly shy. They are 

 delicious eating, but should be cleaned very care- 

 fully, as is the case with all fish save the red mullet 

 They may be taken freely in the hottest weather, 



