140 Bass, Pike, and Percb 



fish. Its weight and strength, added to its 

 bold rushes when hooked, are very trying to 

 light tackle. One of fifteen pounds is worthy 

 of the angler's most serious attention on an 

 eight-ounce rod. Its manner of fighting is simi- 

 lar to that of the mascalonge, though in a lesser 

 degree, and it does not continue its resistance 

 so long. After a few frantic rushes it weakens 

 very materially, and if kept away from w r eeds 

 soon gives up the struggle for freedom. 



In England, where game-fishes are much 

 scarcer than in this country, the pike is con- 

 sidered a fine game-fish and is much sought 

 after by bait-fishers, and with a wonderful array 

 of murderous traces, minnow-gangs, and spinning 

 tackle. In the United States, where there are 

 so many better game-fishes, it is not often made 

 the object of special pursuit. Most pike are 

 caught by anglers in northern waters when 

 fishing for black-bass. 



Ordinary black-bass rods and tackle are very 

 suitable for pike fishing, though where they 

 run large, eight to fifteen pounds, an eight- or 

 nine-ounce rod is to be preferred to a lighter 

 one. A good multiplying reel, a braided line, 

 either silk or linen, size F, and Sproat hooks, 



