58 THE SPEAR-HOOK. 



fastened on the hook-swivel at the end of the 

 trace, and is ready for use. A sketch is given 

 at page 70. 



The reader will observe that when baited the 

 bait sinks in the water head-first, and when 

 drawn out comes up head-first, thus keeping 

 clear of -all weeds, amongst which it may be 

 used with impunity. 



When you have a run, after giving him time 

 to gorge, (from five to ten minutes, according 

 as the Jack seem on the feed or not,) strike 

 sufficiently sharp to break the thread with 

 which the mouth was sewn up, so as to allow 

 the hook to turn inside the Jack ; a sharp 

 strike will accomplish this. You have now 

 only to play and land him as usual. 



Another description of gorge-hook for use 

 among weeds is the spear-hook ; the shape is 

 the same as the first, the only difference being 

 that there is a pointed steel wire barbed like a 

 harpoon projecting from the lead, instead of 

 the twisted brass wire shank. The gimp is 

 fastened to a ring between the hooks. The 

 spear-hook is baited like the weed-hook, the 

 barbed point is run through the bait, entering 

 at the mouth, which is generally sewn up, the 

 hooks fitting close on either side. The barb 

 keeps the bait firm on the wire, still the sewing 

 makes it safer ; the gimp comes from the 

 mouth. This hook is used precisely like the 

 one last mentioned, but is not always so suc- 

 cessful, the Jack frequently feeling the point or 



