The Pike Family 133 



connecting snell and line, constitute the rest of the 

 tackle. 



The best season for mascalonge fishing is in 

 May or June, and in September and October, the 

 latter months preferable. The most favorable 

 hours are in the early morning and late after- 

 noon. The middle of the day may be fished with 

 a better prospect of success on cloudy, lowering 

 days, with a brisk wind. 



The best bait is a large minnow, either alive 

 or dead, though a frog answers very well ; and 

 in the absence of either, a trolling-spoon. No. 4, 

 with a single hook, may be utilized for casting. 

 Rowing along in water from five to ten feet 

 deep, the bait should be cast as far as possible 

 to the edge of weed patches, reeling it again 

 very slowly, or if the bait is alive it may be 

 allowed to swim outside of the water-plants for 

 a short time. By moving along continuously, 

 and making frequent casts, this method is much 

 more successful than still-fishing. When the 

 wind is just right, or when the current is strong 

 enough and the wind not contrary, it is a good 

 plan to allow the boat to drift while casting. 



As soon as a fish is struck and hooked the 

 boat should be moved to deeper and open water 



