First time pike fishing

[davedave]

Evening all,

 

For the first time I am going pike fishing over the weekend with a mate and his dad on a lake about half an hour away. We're going to be spinning and they'll have all the proper pike gear (forceps, gloves etc) and i'll only take a little spinning rod, reel, few traces and lures that I have and a few bits and bobs. I'm in safe hands so to speak as they know what their doing. I gather it'll be a lot of walking so i shouldn't get too cold, hopefully

 

But, is there any tips you can give me for first time pike fishing- eg playing a pike, where to find them, best type of spinners, tackle etc?

 

Appreciated as always,

 

Dave D

Edited November 16, 2011 by davedave

[davedave]

Nothing?

[Peter Waller]

Nothing?

 

Don't know where you are going but I would take along some unweighted soft plastic worms and grubs, and fish really slow.

 

DD, there have been a number of 'first time' postings recently. That said, yours, perhaps more than the others, suggests that you are going about it the right way.

Edited November 17, 2011 by Peter Waller

[lozza]

Lake or river?

[lozza]

Find the prey find the pike. Try cover water by casting in a clock work pattern. Also change the speed and depth of your ratrive what lake are you fishing?

[davedave]

Peter - I don't have any but will ask my mate if he has, I expect he does, he's always buying lures! Thanks, i've often thought about going on my own but for many reasons (one being I didn't think i'd actually catch anything!!) never did so it's nice to finally get out there. It's a welcome change from my usual winter fishing sat on a chair behind a leger

 

Lozza - It's a lake or though I don't know any more than that regarding features or depths etc. Thanks will try the clockwork method. Is spinning for pike similar to spinning for perch in theory?

 

 

Thanks guys very useful

Edited November 17, 2011 by davedave

[Peter Waller]

As its a lake and I presume that you limited to the bank then I would cast along the bank rather than just out from the bank. As for being like perch lure fishing, no not really, you'll need a trace for one thing! Secondly look out for and fish to features as well as just searching open water.

 

I would also spool up with braid, 30lb would be a good choice. You really do need to cast into areas where you are quite likely to snag. You don't need 30lb line to land the fish, but you do need it for pulling lures away from snags, unless you are super rich and don't mind loosing them.

Edited November 18, 2011 by Peter Waller

[Phone]

Peter,

 

I've a question.

 

Pike, Northern Pike, fishing requires a technique whereby the angler must or can delay the striking. (I'm not very good at it btw). Pike won't leave as quickly as other species but continue to attack. N.Pike anglers give the fish a "chance" to be caught.

 

Is that true in the UK? What is the "setting the hook" technique that gives the angler the best chance to catch the fish?

 

Phone

[Peter Waller]

Peter,

 

I've a question.

 

Pike, Northern Pike, fishing requires a technique whereby the angler must or can delay the striking. (I'm not very good at it btw). Pike won't leave as quickly as other species but continue to attack. N.Pike anglers give the fish a "chance" to be caught.

 

Is that true in the UK? What is the "setting the hook" technique that gives the angler the best chance to catch the fish?

 

Phone

 

Phone, when lure fishing for pike the fish generally sets the hook itself against the tight line. When dead-baiting there is a traditional delay, very often until the fish moves off. Personally, as I don't tend to use massif baits, I strike when I get a positive indication of a bite. By striking I really mean winding down until I feel the fish and then and allowing the fish to pull against a tight line. When using deads I do use circle hooks and a traditional strike might pull the hook out whilst simply tightening up lets the fish do the work for me.

[Andy Macfarlane]

Dave it sounds like your mats have some experience of pike already so you'll probably learn more from them in a couple of hours than you will asking on here. I'm only assuming they're experienced mind you. If you still need to ask questions, then come back and ask away.