36 Bass, Pike, and Percb 



bass. The tackle likewise may be the same, 

 though for the heavy bass of Florida the rod may 

 be eight, or even nine ounces, if preferred. Hooks 

 may also be employed of a larger size, say Nos. i 

 to i-o, or even 2-0, as larger minnows are used 

 for bait. 



Some anglers of the Middle West have adopted 

 a very short rod of six feet or less for casting the 

 live frog or pork-rind overhead, in the same way 

 as casting a fly. This is a very primitive style of 

 bait-casting, being the same as practised by bu- 

 colic boys and Southern negroes using a sapling 

 pole without a reel. The frog is reeled up to 

 within a few inches of the tip and propelled like a 

 wad of clay from a slender stick as we were wont 

 to do as boys. The frog is projected with great 

 accuracy, but not without a smack and splash on 

 the water. With such a rod most of the pleasure 

 of playing a bass to a finish is lost. Presumably 

 the end justifies the means, but this method does 

 not appeal to the artistic angler. If bait must be 

 used, a small minnow, lightly cast from a suitable 

 rod, is more in accordance with the eternal fit- 

 ness of things and the practice and traditions of 

 the gentle art. In very weedy ponds and lakes, 

 however, where there is not open water enough 



