I'm thinking of taking up pike fishing!

[Peter Waller]

Who reads Angling Times?

 

Fortunately people who probably need some help with their piking!

 

An unexpected time of the year to publish an article on piking! Unless, ofcourse, its realised that those who fish for out of season pike are most likely, I would have thought, to need advice on pike handling.

 

'Fraid I missed AT this week. Well, I didn't so much miss it as avoid it!! Sounds like I missed something useful.

[Dick Dastardly]

I killed more pike with large singles than I have ever with semi barbed trebles!I have read Malc's post again and even though I believe that people must be made aware of the need to learn handling and unhooking skills his comments on installing confidence in to beginers do make sense.As with most things if you know what to do it is easy!But nothing is easy if you dont know what to do!

[Dick Dastardly]

There is nothing wrong with using a beach rod for piking.It is obviously not the ideal tool but as pointed out better than some alternatives.As a youngster I couldnt afford a specialist pike rod so used my Winfield Surfcaster.Caught me plenty and caused them no harm.The real reason for many "serious" (?) pike anglers decrying beach/boat rods is that these are often used by casual pike anglers whose attitude to pike welfare is very poor.

[Andy Macfarlane]

quote:

---

I get the opinion fishing for pike with a beachcaster is fround upon. But, surely having an over strength rod is better than spinning with a £3 travellers telescopic rod - That would snap in an instant. Is it that beachcasters are too stiff and dont give enough flex? A 20lb pike will flex even a beach caster won't it? Reason being I have ordered braid and I would like to start fishing on Sunday for pike. I strongly disagree with trebles, they can do serious damage if you dont know what you are doing. I am going to use single hook with sprats. Safe. What are your opinions on this?

---

Beach rods aren't terrible. In fact a lot of Pikers are now looking to beach rods and spod rods to gain that extra distance with large baits.

I worry though when you mention using braid with a beachcaster. This I reckon is just too solid. I'd use mono in conjunction with a beach rod as it will allow for some degree of stretch. A stiff rod and a non stretch line could lead to disaster from the Pike's point of view. You'd need to coax the fish in and that could simply take too long, which is never a good thing.

If you can afford to buy braid, you can certainly afford a Pike rod. There are plenty of good rods in circulation, at very resonable prices. My mate just bought a Fladen Pike rod for 29 quid and it's a topper. I suggest you get the rod first and worry about braid when you've landed a few large Pike. Asking if a 20 will flex the rod is assuming the best. A 20 is lifetime fish for many people so don't assume the first Pike you catch will put a bend in that rod.

As for single hooks and Sprats. Bad idea if you intend to leger. This is just asking for a gorged bait. Use proper snap-tackle until you understand the why's and how's and then make adjustments at a later date.

I don't want to put you off in any way. You sound like you want to do the best you can, with the means you have and that can only be a good attitude. Do things the way experinced Pikers suggest and you,ll have little trouble.

[j_s]

My AS also has the rule concerning fishing for pike as well as making you sure you have all the tools required which they list in the permit book. It makes perfect sense to me as I would like to some piking this year and what better way to learn than in a teach-in with experienced pikers and then passing the course to be able to fish them, I can also confirm from other members that they are quite stringent when it comes to passing the test.

[Peter Waller]

Nik:

I was pleased to see in this weeks angling times that many of the excellent points on pike welfare raised here have recieved decent coverage and the work of the pacgb was covered too. Did anyone else see the article in the times concerning a certain angling club insisting on members obtaining a certificate in pike fishing before allowing its members to fish for them? I think its a good idea, what do you think?

Went out and bought AT on the strength of the above. Yes, I think AT gave the subject good coverage. Would have been better if they had given some practical advice whilst the subject had been broached though.

 

However, AT's record re pike conservation is not, I don't think, a good one. I'm not impressed with their involvement, nor coverage of the ACA Pike Championships for one thing. And, in my opinion, the way they have promoted pike fishing has done no great favours for the species.

 

But yes, a step in the right direction, well done AT.

 

Maybe it was a flash in the pan but I thought that this week's edition was a pretty good read. Might even buy it next week!!

[big al]

as part of the club who were mentioned we believe it to be the way forward .certainly good feedback so far .

 

defiantly carp lads turned to pike anglers who gave us the most concern,interesting only one member wrote to us to say he thought it unfair ,would you teach beckham to play football was his argument ,well he is coached every day so yes we can all learn all the time .

 

once again thanks for the support from the PAC if one person joins them then it would be worthwhile.cheers big AL