218 Bass, Pike, and Perch 



and for a short time it resists capture bravely. 

 Its first spurt, when hooked, is a grand one, and 

 when checked darts in various directions, making 

 for the weeds if any are near, or toward the bot- 

 tom, or rushing to the surface leaps out, shaking 

 itself madly to dislodge the hook. It must be 

 handled carefully and gingerly, for it has a tender 

 mouth from which the hook is apt to be torn if 

 too much strain is exerted at first. 



A very light striped-bass rod may be utilized, 

 but the most suitable is the " Little Giant " rod of 

 seven and one-half feet and eight ounces in ash 

 and lancewood. A good multiplying reel with 

 fifty yards of braided linen line, size G, a three- 

 foot leader, and snelled hooks, Sproat the best, 

 Nos. i-o to 3-0 for the tide-runners, and Nos. i 

 or 2 for school fish, together with a landing-net, 

 constitute the rest of the tackle. 



The most satisfactory mode of fishing for weak- 

 fish is from a boat anchored near the channel, or 

 tied to a pier or wharf in a tideway. The time 

 for fishing is on the flood tide, from half flood 

 to half ebb, as the tide-runners are going in or 

 out in large schools. As little noise as possible 

 should be made by any necessary movements in 

 the boat, as the fish are easily frightened. Long 



