[46 AUTUMN ANGLING 



CHAPTER VIII 



BASS FISHING WITH THE MINNOW 



Bass — that is, black bass — fishing by means 

 of the minnow, termed technically " minnow-cast- 

 ing," has got to be quite a distinct science, espe- 

 cially with the Western brethren of the rod. The 

 rod is usually a nine-foot, or even less, lancewood 

 or bamboo weapon, with standing guides of ample 

 size, to allow the line easy passage through them. 

 The line is of the best make one can afford ; and 

 the reel is a Gogebic, or Star (Fig. 43), or other 

 fine reel constructed so that when the bait is cast 

 its friction is of the very least, and the line runs 

 out till the thumb stops the spool of the reel, and 

 the minnow drops on the water. Of course, a 

 sinker must be attached to the end of the line ; 

 and the kind of leader, sinker, and snell I invaria- 

 bly use myself is shown at Fig. 70, with one to 

 three hooks. 



Now, the manner of making this cast so that 

 the bait's head is not jerked off in the rush 



