6 THE SPINNING ROD. 



a float is used to the line and a live fish for the 

 bait ; trolling, in the limited sense of the word, 

 is understood to mean taking Pike or Jack 

 with a gorge hook ; and snap-fishing, when the 

 angler uses hooks of such a description, that 

 immediately he feels a bite, if he is fishing 

 without a float, or sees a run if he is fishing 

 with a float, he strikes sharply, without allow- 

 ing the fish time to pouch. 



Spinning is by far the most scientific and 

 interesting method of fishing for Pike, as it 

 requires some amount of muscular exertion to 

 practise it properly. Trout, Pike, and Perch, 

 of all sizes, but generally the largest, are 

 caught by spinning either the natural fish 

 or the artificial pectoral-fin bait being used ; 

 with the latter, however, I have often taken the 

 best fish. 



The rod I recommend for spinning is of 

 mottled East India cane, from twelve to thir- 

 teen feet in length. It is made in four pieces, 

 so as to close up in a partition case, in a com- 

 pact form for travelling, having a couple of 

 extra tops, in case of breakage. All the tops 

 should be made of lancewood, and should vary 

 in length, so as to stiffen the action of the rod 

 when requisite. The shoulders of each joint 

 should be double-brazed; the plain shoulders 

 almost invariably sticking in the ferule of the 

 next joint, in wet weather, in consequence of 

 the wood swelling, and causing considerable 

 trouble to take the rod to pieces after use. 



