Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 91.djvu/644

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��Popular Science Monthly

��is made by reeling in the minnow or plug until it is about 6-in. from the tip. Release the click or drag, press the ball of the thumb firmly on the line on the spool, and swing the rod across the body until it is in the position shown in Fig. 8 — the tip being about breast high. Now bring the rod quickly forward across the body

���Fig. 10. The overhead cast is generally used by fishermen and tournament casters

in the direction you want to cast, and relax the thumb sufficiently to let the line run out freely, but still keep enough tension on the spool to prevent it from over-running and causing a back lash. The correct underhand cast is completed as shown in Fig. 9.

���Fig. 11. The bait is projected in the direction the caster is facing and the finish is as shown

The overhead cast is more largely used by both fishermen and tournament casters; for a greater distance is covered, and after

��a little practice a greater degree of ac- curacy is possible. It is made similar to the underhand cast, but the rod is carried back over the shoulder until it is almost horizontal, as shown in Fig. 10. The arm is now snapped quickly forward and suddenly checked when the rod has reached an angle of about 45 deg., the thumb is partly relaxed, and the bait is projected in the direction the caster is facing. The finish of the overhead cast is shown in Fig. 11.

When reeling in the line for another cast, and when playing a fish, the skillful caster prefers to spool the line evenly on the reel by guiding it between the thumb and finger, as shown in Fig. 12.

When casting for bass, pickerel and other fresh water game fishes, the cast is finished by merely checking the revolving spool as the bait hits the water. The splash of the minnow or other artificial bait, rather attracts than frightens the fish, hence the angler may use any form of bait desired.

The artificial baits now used are of three prominent types; those used on the surface, the diving or underwater baits, and the top-water or weedless lures. The minnow

���Fig. 12. The line is evenly spooled on the reel by guiding it between the thumb and finger

form, which floats when at rest, but dives when reeled in, is the best for all-around use, equally attractive for pickerel and black bass. However, there are many different forms of varying sizes and colors to choose from, some for general and others for special purposes.

To become a successful angler the caster should know something about the habits of the pickerel or bass in his neighboring waters. In the early days of Spring, when the water is cool, bass are likely to be found in the shallower parts of the stream or lake during the day, and casting should be done around rocks, sand-bars, old stumps, or submerged branches. Pickerel will also be found in the warmer shoal water during this season, and as both species are feeding on minnows and hel- gramites, the best baits are the common

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