Pike Lure Advice

[larsagi2010]

Ok, so Pike fishing is not something I have done hardly at all (Since I was about 15 in fact!) And after about 8-10 years away from the Pike I am now going to give it a go again!

 

I today dug out all the lures from back then, most of which are brand new still, a few had rust on the hooks so I just threw them out.

 

So I was after some advice on not so much Pike fishing, but more the Lures themselves.

 

1. Would you use different sized Lures for different waters??

 

For example I have one that is about 7 inches long Would I use these more on the deeper wider river, rather than the canal?

 

2. Would pike take my floating/rattling lures this time of year? or is it more summer when these work best?

 

 

Also, what types of B/S line should I use? I was thinking about 25lb braid, or should I go heavier seeming as the the Pike are unlikely to notice? I am using a telescopic sea fishing rod, the eyes are huge so to be honest I could cast rope out with ease using that rod

 

Pike in the area.... Well I know pike of 30lb have been recorded in the lower basin (By the EA) recently, not sure of the river/canal but a few catfish have been caught from the river recently so I am looking at heavy gear just incase.

 

Unlikely I will get a 30lb Pike! But they are there (Not in great numbers) so I would like to ensure I would land it if I was lucky enough to hook it.

 

Any tips/advice on lure's and line b/s's would be much appreciated

 

Oh, here is my recently re-discovered collection

 

[Dick Dastardly]

No matter what you are doing always choose braid by diameter not BS. Basically look at what BS mono you would use,check its diameter then buy a braid of similar diameter.

 

I would get a lot heavier than what you have for general piking (something around 0.32 -0.35mm diameter) but the braid you all ready have wont be wasted as it will be ideal for the smaller in line spinners you have.

 

My general preference is for lures between 6-8" but I have found on canals and small drains these bigger lures can frighten pike (of all sizes) smaller ones can be better here.

 

Re the surface lures,yes in general the warmer months are better but I still take enough fish even in the winter working them over shallow weed to make them worth while carrying.

 

Don't get too carried away with different lures just stick to a few and learn how to work them.

 

Initially I would stick to lures that have an "in built" action rather than ones you have to impart an action to Bulldawgs,shads most rubber baits in fact fall into this category. Simple spoons.spinners or "rattler" type plugs such as Big"S" also work with very simple retrieves.

 

One type I notice you haven't got and I would recommend getting are a few spinner baits.Once again they will work with a straight retrieve and are relatively snag proof which can be a bonus on most canals!

 

 

I notice you have a couple of "Dog" style lures (look like Heddon Zara Spook?) These require a specialised retrieve called "walking the dog" to get them to "work" It takes a bit of getting used to and frankly I wouldnt bother! You get quite a few follows but very few hook ups! Like a lot of the smaller lures on the market they were designed for Black Bass and not all Bass lures are effective on pike.

Edited November 18, 2010 by BUDGIE

[Newt]

What he said.

 

However, you might be surprised what species you can catch working some of those smaller lures on lighter line and in the margins as long as you approach quietly and cast without making too much of a splash.

[Expat]

What he said.

 

However, you might be surprised what species you can catch working some of those smaller lures on lighter line and in the margins as long as you approach quietly and cast without making too much of a splash.

 

I've had a good Rudd on a Mepps, cleanly hooked in the mouth.

[Tony U]

I've had a good Rudd on a Mepps, cleanly hooked in the mouth.

Thats nothing I have had an 8" Skimmer Bream hooked fair and square in the mouth on a 8" jerk bait; only fish I had all day......result.

 

Tony

[larsagi2010]

Thanks for all the responses!

 

Some excellent tips/advice there and it is highly appreciated.

 

Budgie No matter what you are doing always choose braid by diameter not BS. Basically look at what BS mono you would use,check its diameter then buy a braid of similar diameter.

 

I went out today and chosen my ''Mono'' pike line. Then took it too the Braid section of the rack and found a braid that matched the diameter of the mono....

 

As a result I have. ''Fladen Warbird Dyneema & Polyester Braided Line - Thickness 0.22-0.26, Strength 25lb's, Knot strength 20lb's.

 

Also when I said I am not looking forward to stripping off my mono from the pike reel, he said if I buy a reel and the Braid he would give me a good discount! So I got this: Mitchell Avocet Steel RD-6000 Reel

 

Guess how much I got the reel and 250m's of 25lb braid for???

 

Ok well first he said £25, I stuck my nose up... So he dropped it to... £19.99 for both! Bargain!!!! The braid was priced at £15.99 and the reel was priced at £19.99.... So I am feeling nice and smug

 

All I need to do now is take it down the Canal, river, and basins and see how the pike are biting!

 

Oh as I am new to pike fishing again... I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything from my kit which could endanger the pike

 

Rod, reel, braid, traces... the usual....

 

For unhooking:

 

Matt

Long forceps

Some pliers with the metal snippy bit on incase I need to cut the trace or trebles

glove for handling the pike (Yep I am a little nervous about grabbing the jaw!) so will attempt it with a glove at first.

And of course a Landing net

 

Is there anything I am missing or could do with taking???

Edited November 22, 2010 by larsagi2010

[Dales]

Guess how much I got the reel and 250m's of 25lb braid for???

 

Ok well first he said £25, I stuck my nose up... So he dropped it to... £19.99 for both! Bargain!!!! The braid was priced at £15.99 and the reel was priced at £19.99.... So I am feeling nice and smug

 

All I need to do now is take it down the Canal, river, and basins and see how the pike are biting!

 

Sounds like you would give the stall holders in the souks of Morocco and Egypt a hard time with those bartering skills

[larsagi2010]

Sounds like you would give the stall holders in the souks of Morocco and Egypt a hard time with those bartering skills

 

I did go to Egypt once. I came off the boat and needless to say I didn't need to look around for things to purchase, they handed me an egyptian bag and filled it with loads of random items before telling me the cost of it all!

 

I have heard of pressure selling, but this was shocking! LOL

 

They kept saying ''Come on, its Fisher Price!''??? I can only assume they meant ''Asda Price?''

[grumpybum]

Dave Kelbrick did an article on fishing the shroppy a few years ago in Coarse Fisherman. If memory serves it was a case of fishing for jacks., just fun fishing.

 

I've fished the shroppy in a few areas and spoken to quite a few anglers in an attempt to find some pike. The only thing I was ever able to glean was theres pike in the Vicars Cross area.