168 HOW TO ACT AFTER A PIKE HAS 



but one less initiated might be apt to fall into the 

 error, particularly as the mere sight of the jack 

 will sometimes make the bait throw itself out of 

 the water to avoid its dreaded foe. The pro- 

 ficient at such a time will do nothing more than 

 gently move his bait, as though it were going to 

 leave the spot, which alone will sometimes occa- 

 sion the jack to seize it at once. The seizure of 

 the bait by the pike is marked by the float, which 

 is not thrown up, but, on the contrary, is drawn 

 violently down ; and the water is likewise ob- 

 served to undulate, unless the bait be seized at a 

 considerable depth. Be prepared with a free line 

 as regards the reel ; it is also a good plan to have 

 in the left hand a yard or two of loose line to 

 give out as the pike runs, which is infinitely pre- 

 ferable to allowing it to be pulled by the fish itself 

 from the reel, which alone will cause the bait to 

 be rejected by a pike not well upon the feed. 

 Whatever line therefore is required in the pro- 

 gress of the fish to its hold or haunt, run it out 

 by hand, and such hold is seldom far off, and the 

 fish will, when there, probably stop to gorge the 

 bait," 



When you have a pike-run, and the fish makes 

 away for a convenient retreat to swallow the 

 bait in, you must allow him to move off with 

 the least obstruction possible. You must lower 

 the point of your rod, uncoil with your left hand 



