One major downside on a lot of venues is access especially rivers where parking can be few and far between -if at all - or a long way from the water.Also some good pike venues around my neck of the woods aren't fishable anymore or restricted access only,another said only after first frost which was almost 2 months into the season and another said not before 1st November.
They come to you fresh - that is when companies like Angling Direct actually bother to stock them which half the time they run out as they did once again at two of my local stores recently. It took at least a week to get some more.It's the piking season on most waters that's only 6 months per year and still they run out.Thankfully my local fishmongers have them come rain, shine, sleet or snow.
Frozen means not fresh. As soon as you freeze any food it's no longer considered fresh. Doesn't matter if the food is for people or fish, it's still not fresh.
I never thought about chucking the bait in at the end of a session..... How do i rig up a pikepro anti-tangle boom😉 never used a boom before,i just use a run ring with a lead...
Hi there, the booms can be threaded onto the line, or our preference is to incorporate them onto an uptrace for a lot or leger rigs, to eliminate the chances of any bite-offs occurring. Best wishes, BB.
I need a little advice. I have spent the last 30 years working overseas and am looking to kick start my pike fishing when I return to the UK. I have been reading up on the subject to try to catch up on current methods and tackle etc. My question is related to what test curve rods to purchase. I have seen recommendations for both 3 lb, 3.25 lb and 3.5 lb test curve rods and combinations of all three so I am a little confused. Any advice would be welcome.
Hi Ian, to be honest, I wouldn't get too hung up on this, as all three will do the job adequately, and between brands you may find that there is often quite an overlap in test curves, even though they should be the same! Strictly speaking, it will mainly come down to the distance that you need to fish. A rod with a 3lb tc will be perfect for most venues, and from the margins to about 60 yards - the limiting factor being the combined weight if the bait plus the lead. On a 3lb rod you will find that you can probably cast furthest with a combined weight in the 3-4oz range (3oz lead say with a small bait, such as lamprey section, launce, something like that). High test curves you can use bigger lead and bait combinations, enabling you to cast further. If you are planning to use a bait boat, then this is all pretty much irrelevant! We've launched our rods in a 3lb test curve at this stage as we feel that is the most useful for the majority of pike fishing and will make the fight from even a relatively small pike good fun. Hope that's useful Ian, good luck with the fishing!
We are quite happy to use frozen baits, they tend to be quite buoyant when frozen, so if you get a bite quickly it might be on a popped-up bait - worth bearing in mind! Soft baits, like sardines are much better used straight from frozen. If you are expecting a quick bite, then it can be better to let the baits defrost a bit first, but it only takes a few minutes even in cold water for them to thaw out.
I didn't know Pikes could pull a bigger fight at certain times of the year .. After all , it make sense , in winter they probably have less stamina , less active ...
These are a few of the best tips an angler/specimen hunter can get.
One major downside on a lot of venues is access especially rivers where parking can be few and far between -if at all - or a long way from the water.Also some good pike venues around my neck of the woods aren't fishable anymore or restricted access only,another said only after first frost which was almost 2 months into the season and another said not before 1st November.
They come to you fresh - that is when companies like Angling Direct actually bother to stock them which half the time they run out as they did once again at two of my local stores recently.
It took at least a week to get some more.It's the piking season on most waters that's only 6 months per year and still they run out.Thankfully my local fishmongers have them come rain, shine, sleet or snow.
Cracking video mate !
Frozen means not fresh. As soon as you freeze any food it's no longer considered fresh. Doesn't matter if the food is for people or fish, it's still not fresh.
I used to be a commercial fisherman and I've been saying this to people for years they still don't understand
Des with your help can we go on a mission for pike anglers to use decent mats and unhooking equipment
Thanks for the tips
I never thought about chucking the bait in at the end of a session.....
How do i rig up a pikepro anti-tangle boom😉 never used a boom before,i just use a run ring with a lead...
Hi there, the booms can be threaded onto the line, or our preference is to incorporate them onto an uptrace for a lot or leger rigs, to eliminate the chances of any bite-offs occurring. Best wishes, BB.
des what mat do you use mate
I need a little advice. I have spent the last 30 years working overseas and am looking to kick start my pike fishing when I return to the UK. I have been reading up on the subject to try to catch up on current methods and tackle etc. My question is related to what test curve rods to purchase. I have seen recommendations for both 3 lb, 3.25 lb and 3.5 lb test curve rods and combinations of all three so I am a little confused. Any advice would be welcome.
Hi Ian, to be honest, I wouldn't get too hung up on this, as all three will do the job adequately, and between brands you may find that there is often quite an overlap in test curves, even though they should be the same! Strictly speaking, it will mainly come down to the distance that you need to fish. A rod with a 3lb tc will be perfect for most venues, and from the margins to about 60 yards - the limiting factor being the combined weight if the bait plus the lead. On a 3lb rod you will find that you can probably cast furthest with a combined weight in the 3-4oz range (3oz lead say with a small bait, such as lamprey section, launce, something like that). High test curves you can use bigger lead and bait combinations, enabling you to cast further. If you are planning to use a bait boat, then this is all pretty much irrelevant! We've launched our rods in a 3lb test curve at this stage as we feel that is the most useful for the majority of pike fishing and will make the fight from even a relatively small pike good fun. Hope that's useful Ian, good luck with the fishing!
How’s its going for you?
what is big water in your opinion?
How do you find out if they are in there?
do you recommend using predator plus additive? and would you use frozen dead bait or do they need thawing out?
Frozen deads cast well and predator plus is good
We are quite happy to use frozen baits, they tend to be quite buoyant when frozen, so if you get a bite quickly it might be on a popped-up bait - worth bearing in mind! Soft baits, like sardines are much better used straight from frozen. If you are expecting a quick bite, then it can be better to let the baits defrost a bit first, but it only takes a few minutes even in cold water for them to thaw out.
I didn't know Pikes could pull a bigger fight at certain times of the year .. After all , it make sense , in winter they probably have less stamina , less active ...
im not scared of catching big pike but im scared that i will damage the fish when unhooking
First tip, check if there's big fish. How the hell am I gonna do that? Go for a swim? 🤔
👏👏👏👏👏
Thanks Kev.