246 Bass, Pike, and Percb 



As it coexists with the black-bass in streams 

 in the Mississippi Valley, and is usually taken 

 by the angler when angling for that fish, the 

 rod, reel, line, and hook recommended for the 

 black-bass will be found eminently serviceable 

 for the channel-cat. It is fond of the deep 

 pools below mill-dams, and in the channels of 

 streams off gravelly or rocky shoals, and near 

 shelving banks and rocks. The method of 

 casting the minnow for black-bass answers well 

 for the channel-cat, though the casts should 

 not be so frequently made, and more time should 

 be allowed for the display of the minnow in 

 mid-water. 



Still-fishing with a small, live minnow for bait 

 is the plan generally followed ; and as the bait 

 should be left to its own devices for several min- 

 utes at a time, a light float is sometimes useful for 

 keeping it off the bottom. When crawfish, cut- 

 bait, or worms are used, the float must always be 

 employed for the same reason. The fish should 

 be given several seconds to gorge the bait, and 

 then hooked by an upward, short, and quick 

 movement of the tip of the rod. When hooked 

 it should feel constantly the strain of the bent 

 rod, and no more line given than is actually 



