THE ROD AND WINCH. 35 



generally as spinning ; for to take the whole 

 season for Pike-fishing, I believe that he who 

 confines himself to spinning will kill consider- 

 ably more than he who for the whole season 

 fishes only with the live-bait. The little 

 labour or exertion, however, required to take 

 Pike by this style of fishing is doubtless the 

 cause of many preferring it, as it allows them 

 frequent opportunities of resting when they 

 reach a clear, quiet place, either in ponds or 

 rivers, when they have the pleasure of watch- 

 ing their float work up and down through the 

 live-bait sailing to and fro, which certainly has 

 the effect of attracting the attention of the Jack 

 to it ; but they often drop the bait when not 

 well on the feed, or blow it out of their mouth 

 again, from the hook or gimp touching them 

 when shifting the bait to pouch it. This fre- 

 quently happens when using the single hook 

 with the bait hooked through the back fin ; 

 which is my principal reason for preferring 

 the double hook, lying on the side of the fish, 

 for the Jack always pouching it head-first, it 

 is almost impossible for him to feel the hook 

 till he has it well down. 



The rod of mottled bamboo, recommended 

 for spinning, will also do well for live-baiting. 

 The spare tops being of different lengths, use 

 the shorter one, which will entirely alter the 

 character of the rod, making it about a foot 

 shorter, and stiffer in proportion. 



The winch I consider the best for live- 



