THE PIKE. 135 



where the straight runs of water, going directly 

 from you, can be utilised to carry the bait out, the 

 lead may be put much further from the bait ; but if 

 it is kept far from the bait in spinning from the 

 bank or punt, a very jerky, uncomfortable throw is 

 the result. Now, in spinning from the winch, 

 beginners nearly always throw too hard at first 

 (see p. 230); it is far better to begin with gentle 

 casts till you get easy command over the whole 

 tackle ; very long throws are extremely pretty, but 

 a very short throw indeed will frequently pick up 

 a pike. I have hooked them quite close under the 

 rod-top, from a very short throw indeed ; do not, 

 therefore, pass by a likely spot because it is close 

 at hand. Before making the throw, judge where 

 the bait should fall, the depth of the water (as 

 nearly as possible), the obstacles to be avoided, and 

 the direction in which the bait should travel ; also, 

 see the best place to land a fish. In deep water, 

 let the bait sink well before winding it in, and work 

 it slowly. The tug of a fish may come at the most 

 unexpected moment, so keep your rod-top as near 

 the bait as possible without slack line, working the 

 bait at all fishable depths. In shallow water, the 

 bait must be drawn in almost immediately it touches 

 the water, and it is quite a common sight to see 

 the pike chase the bait ; drop it to him, and he will 

 generally turn with it ; with a natural bait, allow 

 just a second or two, but with an artificial bait 

 strike at once ; and in either case, strike hard. The 

 hooks, in spinning, are driven into some part of the 

 mouth or tongue, among the bones and teeth, and 

 the points have to penetrate chiefly hard substances. 

 This brings me to the question of hooks. The 

 points should be very keen, and the barbs not too 



