Proper Live Fish Bait

Let's take a look at which live fish bait is best to use...

In directing his Sport, the angler is always to consult sun, wind, moon, stars, and change of air; thus; if the Sun is obscured with Clouds, the Ground Baits are to be used, and the Brightest Flies; but if the Sun shine out gloriously, the Darkest Flies are superior.

Select a proper Bait, to Angle with at Ground.

The Common Red Worm, and Meadow Worm, the Grub, or Earth Bob, the Caddis or Cod Bait, and the Gentles or Maggots, which are Baits always in use, and always to be had, are as good for angling for all sorts of River or Pond Fish, as any that can be named.

In the Summer, when you have a mind to try them with a Variety, you may take such as are named above; but the Baits which you may depend on, are the ordinary Worms; and though these are multiplied in their names, their variety is not very great, as may be seen in what follows.

The Cod Bait, Cad Bait, Case Worm, Straw Worm, Ruffcoat, Caddis, are all the same worm, and commonly called Caddis; it is found in or near the Water, hanging or sticking to old Piles, Roots, and Stumps, inclosed in a little Husk of a Water Reed, Stick, Rush, or Straw, under Stones and Hollow Places, in the Bottom of gravelly Clear Streams, at Mill Tails, and the like.

The Bob, Earth Bob, White Worm, White Bait, Grub; these are all the same, and are neither more nor less than common Earth Grubs, which are found in great numbers, and without fail, in following the Plough, or the Spade, when they dig up any fresh ground that has lain long untilled, especially in light earth. These are a very good Bait indeed, and, next to the Red Worm, the best that can be used for all kinds of River Fish, from the Salmon itself, to the Roach and Dace; but it is too big for a Gudgeon, neither does the White Perch choose it.

Other live fish bait is the Dew Worm, Garden Worm, Twatchel, Brandling, Gilt Tail, Red Worm, are all one kind, with the least difference imaginable, and are all included in one word, that is, the Earthworm; they are always found in old Dunghills, in fine Mould, in Gardens, and Pasture Grounds; and are the Universal Bait for all sorts of River and Pond Fish, since none refuse them; so that the angler need not amuse, or confuse himself longer about hard names, but seek for this worm under any dunghill, or heap of mould which has lain any time, and he is sure of them. I think, then, his sport need not be made difficult, when it is easy, which, in my opinion, the pretenders to the art chiefly aim at.

To make the best Paste for a Bait; take a convenient quantity of fresh butter, as much sheep's suet that is fresh, a sufficient quantity of the strongest cheese that can be got, with some crumb of an old stale white loaf. Let all these be beaten in a mortar till they come to a perfect paste. The Quantity of a Pea is to be put on the hook at a time, and very pleasant effects are generally produced by it.

It is to be observed, that though the fish will not take the Fly on the Top of the Water, yet all sorts of fish will, at some season, bite, or take the Bait at Ground; and therefore, he that knows or marks the seasons, may always have some sport in fishing at ground; and fishing thus, is, certainly, the Sum and Substance of the Art of Angling, notwithstanding the rules and pretensions of other methods.

The Fishing with Ground Baits begins in March, which may be continued from Morn till Night in Muddy Water or Cloudy Weather; but if the Day prove clear and bright, the angler must particularly take the Morning or Evening, for his labour at any other time will be in vain.