Neil G

Woah....looks like those guys mean business

What a gut on that pike!

Checked out the DL Tackle website Tony...those rods are just lovely and I'm seriously thinking about one.

Friend of mine always uses a Polaris on the River Avon when the the flow isn't too strong...seems to work pretty well. I've just started using a Polaris for deadbaiting and it's a really neat piece of kit...no more fiddling around with stop knots!

Fox piker deadbait 2.75lb Shame really as rest of the rod is nice

Don't get stressed about size & numbers....just enjoy every fish you catch and being outside enjoying the scenery. I may go river fishing and only hit a few sub 10lb pike in a day but my god do they give you a good fight and are so beautiful it makes every one great. If you really are into bagging something over 10bs then the carp is probably your best bet.

Have you tried the Linea complex near you....they may be able to help out. www.linear-fisheries.co.uk

They make good pike floats as well

I hope so...not a cheap rod so I want to be 100% happy with it. The Fox deadbait rod I brought prevously had a really loose reel seat....I had to pad it out with bits of rubber to stop the reel knocking around which isn't good....got me though most of last season though!

Cheers Tony I know what you mean about the cork handle..... know the pike don't care what rod your using but there is a nice feeling using a rod that you have confidence in and also looks the business. Maybe I should take my reel into a fox dealers and see if I can try it out on one of the Mick Brown rods.

Anyone? Must be some hardcore pikers out there who can suggest a good rod for next 'season'

Welcome to Anglers net.....never to late to start fishing!

Ha Ha....owned

Now that I'm pretty much pike fishing 100% of the time I think it's time to splash out on a really nice, expensive rod which will last for life (hopefully) I've narrowed down my selection to the following two: E.T Pitmaster - 3lb TC, 12' Mick Brown Special Deadbait - 2.75lb Both good rods but I have had problems with a previous fox rod in that the reel seat was c**p. Anyone used any of the above or has any suggestions? Oh yeah...the rod will be used to normal lakes/pits and rivers..not long range work/drifting Cheers Neil

Yep....he even says he has caught female pike when spawning and has released them and they have just carried on about their business like nothing has happened! I'm with you on this one...inclined to take his word for it as he is one of the best out there.

Never mind eh F**k it....it his choice if he wants to fish without a licence & in the close season, not mine

I'm no one to preach and say my way is best etc but this is worth a visit for pike care..... www.pacgb.co.uk Enjoy

You would have thought so wouldn't you

Well that certainly is going against the grain on here....I hope you had your flame suit on lol As usual in the world of fishing..there's always people smarter or think they are smarter & more knowledgable who throw their weight around when it comes to rules etc. I'm looking forward to fishing the rivers again but I'm hardly counting the days down...I have other things to do.

Great picture I've always had loads of success with perch using red maggot....that was on rivers though so probably a different story in a trout lake.

Is that a wind up? I really hope it is as leaving pike to swallow baits isn't good at all

Any half decent carp rod will do for piking but choose a 2.5/2.75 if your going to be fishing rivers & smaller lakes.....3lb test curve plus will be better if your fishing larger waters at long range.

Looks like a great event....I'm definately going to try and make it

Lure fishing is considered a good summer tactic for predatory fish but as Newt says, it can work all year round. I'm rubbish at lure fishing so am going to try to do some more this year and get my technique sorted.

I can see why the PAC are concered but it's going to be bl**dy hard to stop places like Argos & Lidl selling them