| If you decide to spend some time fishing for Pike | | | | in, to reduce the distress for the fish. In some |
| (Esox Lucius) it's important to get the | | | | instances, a hook that is ingested too far can be |
| fundamentals right. Getting the preparation right | | | | fatal for the pike. |
| means you're more likely to catch the fish, and | | | | Pike Rods |
| once you've landed it, cause the minimum amount | | | | Pike rods usually have a test curve of 2.5lb or |
| of distress to the fish. Pike are not as robust as | | | | more for bait fishing, and for lure fishing choose |
| their reputation would suggest and they can easily | | | | one designed to cast 56g (2oz) or so. |
| be damaged when handled by humans, so | | | | Floats/Bite Indicators and Reels |
| extreme care by you, the angler, is essential. | | | | Floats and/or bite indicators will also be needed. A |
| You do need some specialized tackle, but most of | | | | reliable reel is a must, as these fish are very |
| the other equipment you might already have in | | | | powerful and can get very big. (Pike can grow to |
| your existing tackle. | | | | a maximum recorded length of6ft (1.83metres), |
| Wire Traces and Main Line | | | | reaching a maximum recorded weight of 77lb |
| Without a wire trace, it's highly likely, the pike will | | | | (35kilograms.) |
| succeed in biting through your line - I'm sure | | | | Landing Nets and Slings |
| you've seen the awesome teeth on one of these | | | | You'll need a large landing net with a diameter of |
| fish in magazines and books already. There's no | | | | 30 inches if it's round or 38 inch arms if it is |
| need to go below a breaking strain of 30lb for | | | | triangular. A sufficiently large weigh sling and |
| your trace, with the advent of modern, ultra-thin | | | | unhooking mat, or a sling/mat combo, completes |
| wires. | | | | the basics. You can now land a pike with the |
| For the safety of the pike, should it swallow your | | | | minimum of discomfort for the pike |
| bait a little too deeply, your trace should be at | | | | Pliers for Unhooking |
| least 15 inches (40cm) in length whether you are | | | | For unhooking pike you will need one pair (better |
| bait or lure fishing. For the sake of the fish, you | | | | still two pairs) of strong, long-handled forceps. |
| want to remove the hook quickly, cleanly and | | | | Baits for Pike Fishing |
| easily with the minimum of distress for the pike | | | | Effective methods for catching this hard-fighting |
| itself. | | | | fish include dead baits, live baits and lure fishing. |
| I've found that on balance, it's better to pick a | | | | The color of lure can be influenced by water |
| stronger line and trace over something lighter, if | | | | clarity and weather conditions. |
| you're going to successfully land a pike. My | | | | Live Baits |
| favourite is a 15lb main line. | | | | Whilst a live fish is the natural food of pike you |
| Cheap swivels can break and a wire loop might | | | | might think it makes sense that it will also make a |
| cut through your line, so always use traces that | | | | good bait, but some fisheries, in order to |
| have a good quality swivel for your line to be tied | | | | preserve their fish stocks,don't allow live baiting. |
| to. | | | | Always check. Something else to remember is |
| These days most tackle shops stock ready-made | | | | that you can only use live bait that was caught in |
| reliable traces constructed with top quality | | | | the water you are fishing for pike, to obey |
| components that have been designed by | | | | environmental laws designed to protect the |
| experienced pike anglers, though there is | | | | ecosystem. |
| information on the internet about how to make | | | | Dead Baits |
| your own, if you prefer. . | | | | Pike sometimes show a preference for particular |
| Double or Treble Hooks | | | | dead baits so it pays to take a selection of sea |
| As for hooks, I used double or treble hooks, and I | | | | and freshwater fish with you. Freshwater fish can |
| make sure I file off or crimp down the barb so I | | | | be used as bait, either frozen or caught fresh, |
| can remove the hook speedily and without a lot | | | | and sea fish also attract pike. Both the head and |
| of fuss. Pike can swallow the hook a long way | | | | tail ends used of large dead baits can be used if |
| down into their gullet, so I tend to act as soon as | | | | you simply cut it in two. |
| I get a bite, rather than let the hook get too far | | | | |