136 
THE PIKE, tC. 
both pike mid jack often follow the bait, and seize it at tile 
moment it rises towards the surface, fearful it is going to 
throw itself out of the water to avoid the pursuit. 
“ When you have a run, or in other words, when a pike 
or jack has scizod your bait, lower the point of the rod to- 
wards the water, and at the same time draw the line gradu- 
ally from the reel with the left hand, so that nothing may 
impede or check the progress of the fish in carrying the bait 
to its hold in order to pouch it; do not strike until he has had 
possession of the bait about seven minutos, or till the line 
shakes or moves in the water, then wind up the slack line, 
and turn the rod, so that the rcol may be uppermost instead 
of underneath, then strike, but not with violence.” 
Taylor offers an excellent practical remark on striking, 
when he says: “ Tho pike will as soon as he has seized a 
bait, run to his hold to pouch or swallow it ; allow him there- 
fore five minutes to do so, (unless the line slackens before that 
time, which is a signal that he has already done it,) and then 
strike. But if after ho lias ran off' with the bait, he makes 
scarcely any stay with it at his hold, but goes off with it again, 
you should not strike till after he hns rested a second time, 
allowing him still about five minutes; but if he should run 
off a third time before tho five minutes are expired, draw a 
tight line, and strike him instantly.” 
Captain Williamson observes, that “ when you see a great 
number of very small bubbles rising from the spot where you 
know, by tho direction of your line, the jack is lying, you 
should forbear from striking, it being a certain sign that ho 
has not pouched your bait.”* 
“ The pike being struck ,” the first directions continue, 
* There is much difference of opinion nhout the timo to he given for 
pouching tho buit, sonio giving iu some cases fiftocu or twenty minutes, 
and one writer recommends thirty minutes! The most experienced, in 
particular instances, give ten, and ovon fifteen minutes} but thirty, or 
