400 Book of the Black Bass. 



GlSTEEAl INSTRUCTIONS. 



If fishing from a boat, on a lake or large pond, the 

 angler proceeds in his boat on the outside, or deep -water 

 side, of the fishing grounds, and casts in toward the feed- 

 ing grounds, the oarsman rowing along rapidly or slowly, 

 or holding the boat stationary, as circumstances demand. 

 The boat being in deep water the fish are not so apt to 

 see it, which is a great advantage. The angler can cast in 

 any direction and to any distance, greater or lesser, within 

 the length of his line, as he may desire. He can cast 

 astern and proceed as in trolling, or east to either side, or 

 forward, and by reeling in the line keep the bait in mo- 

 tion. It can readily be imagined how expert easting has 

 so great an advantage over any other method of bait- 

 fishing, and that when once acquired it will never be relin- 

 quished for any other mode. 



When a bass is hooked the boatman should pull at once 

 for deep water, for the better management of the fish and 

 to prevent its taking refuge among weeds, rocks, snags, 

 etc. In deep water the fish has better play and more 

 room, and the angler, having fewer difficulties to encounter, 

 enjoys more thoroughly the ensuing contest and final cap- 

 ture and landing of his quarry. 



If fishing from the banks of a stream, the angler should 

 keep as near the level of the water as possible, or, still 

 better, he should wade the stream when practicable. He 

 should cast below the riffles, near gravelly bars, submerged 

 roots or snags, weed patches and projecting rocks in the bed 

 of the stream, and imder shelving rocks on the banks. 

 After striking a bass, he should lead him into deeper water 

 if possible, or, at all events, away from dangerous places. 



After casting the minnow, and it alights at a favorable 



