288 Book op the Black Bass. 



Floats, ok Coeks. 



The float should never he used when it can be dispensed 

 with, as it is detrimental to good casting, and is always in 

 the way. It becomes necessary, however, in shallow 

 streams, where the bottom is covered with snags, roots, 

 weeds and other obstacles, and may be used in still-fishing, 

 where crawfish, frogs or helgramites are used as bait; but, 

 when used, it should be as small as possible, consistent 

 with the weight of the sinker required, and should be em- 

 ployed for the sole purpose of keeping the hook away from 

 the bottom, and not as an object of intense and constant 

 observation to indicate a bite. 



An egg-shaped, oval, long or barrel-shaped cork-float 

 may be used; or, still better, perhaps, a swan-quill or por- 

 cupine-quill float may be employed with advaiitage, in situ- 

 ations referred to above. 



There are several styles of adjustable floats that can be 

 attached or detached without removing the hook. One of 

 the best is one with wire spirals at each end. 



The Mascot float made by the Multi-Novelty Company, 

 Burlington, Iowa, can be readily attached by doubling 

 the line, inserting it through the hole in the float, and 

 looping it over the end. The same company make the 

 Pacetty float, which is designed to overcome the difficulty 

 of using a float in casting the minnow. The line runs 

 freely through a tube in the float, and in casting it rests 

 against the sinker or swivel, but when the bait reache-5 

 the water the weight of the minnow and swivel carries 

 the line slowly through the float until it meets a check 

 fastened at the required distance. For weedy waters it 

 answers a good purpose. 



The Bristol automatic float is made bv the Horton 



