Pike attacks

[Andy Macfarlane]

It wasn't intended for 'those who can'. It was intended for 'those who can't' and think it might just be OK to go about pike fishing with the wrong gear, just because you say you've not had any bother. Other people including complete novices use this site. We're here to give the BEST advice possible. Not give adequate advice or suggest means that might just do. As mentioned, there's every possibility that a bigger pike could take a bait intended for a pestering jack. It matters not if the pike in front of you is 3 or 4lbs. Pike of all sizes are often found inches apart. Just because the one that's making itself known is a jack doesn't mean there isn't a twenty sitting a few feet away. You may think it's the same as targetting a barbel or a carp but bear in mind that a large pike can shift from a standing start to over 30MPH in a flash so light tackle could and can break easily. A sustained fight by a carp or a barbel isn't the same as a sudden lunge. It's not OK to pike fish just because you have a trace on. That's why I find pike with traces in them.

[gozzer]

So I take it from this that anyone fishing with lob worm should only do so if they have a 12-15 lb+ line, and a wire trace. A big pike could take it after all.

As I've said I've had double figure pike on double maggot. So should it be pike tackle all the time, just in case?

Maybe Steve Burke should insist on wire traces when using boilies at Wingham, plenty of pike caught on them there.

 

What's happened to common sense?

 

I could understand if I'd advocated using live/dead bait on match gear, but I didn't.

 

John.

[Andy Macfarlane]

So I take it from this that anyone fishing with lob worm should only do so if they have a 12-15 lb+ line, and a wire trace. A big pike could take it after all.

As I've said I've had double figure pike on double maggot. So should it be pike tackle all the time, just in case?

Maybe Steve Burke should insist on wire traces when using boilies at Wingham, plenty of pike caught on them there.

 

What's happened to common sense?

 

I could understand if I'd advocated using live/dead bait on match gear, but I didn't.

 

John.

 

Are you looking for an argument. I didn't say anything about using wire traces when fishing with lobworms. I didn't say anything about using wire traces at all. I suggested using heavy line if you target pike, which has nothing to do with traces, worms, Steve Burke or Wingham AND I couldn't care less if you've landed a Blue Marlin on a whip, baited with casters. What I'm talking about is using the correct tackle for targeting Pike. Leaving a tiny hook in a pike is not the same thing as leaving a trace and an unknown length of completely unsuitable mono in a pike and that's what I'm talking about. If you can't make a point properly, don't make one at all.....and you suggest using common sense?

[bonefish]

Whilst float fishing for roach on the middle Dorset Stour this weekend, I was repeatedly hit by pike as I reeled in fish. It happened about six or seven times, in three different swims, with four to six pound jacks taking dace and roach and breaking my line. There were as many misses that I saw, and goodness knows how many I didn’t. In two of the swims, the splashy pike attacks signalled the end of the fishing, with previously frequent bites drying up completely. On the other swim, the pike attack seemed to make no difference to the feeding shoal, and I continued to catch roach (which the pike continued to attack).

 

What’s the best thing to do when your swim becomes attacked by aggressive pike? Should you just pack up and find another swim? Should you switch to targeting the pike themselves? Is there any point taking pike and releasing them away from your swim (I couldn’t kill one, as my Association rules implicitly suggest, however troublesome it may be to me)? Or would the whole pike-fishing kafuffle only kill the swim anyway? Is the best thing to do to ignore the pike and carry on fishing regardless? I’m not sure about that, because it means turning innocent roach into easy targets.

 

I understand about the need for top predators in the food chain, and that a good head of pike indicates an excellent head of prey fish. I love pike as much as roach, but they can ruin the fishing and I wonder what the best solution may be.

Well done MikeT, it`s good to see someone interested in the welfare of the fish (pike and roach/dace) rather than just the bulge in their keepnet, well done mate

[Kappa]

You don't need specialist pike tackle to do this, I just used to put the wire trace onto my normal leger set up,

 

Please please don't do this. It would be fine if you are fishing with 20lb line but I doubt you will be. If a lurking larger pike takes your bait you run the risk of leaving the pike with the wire trace attached!

 

Either up your line strength to greater than the wire trace or don't fish for them (many serious pike fishermen use 50lb+ braid so there is no possibility of leaving a trace or trebles behind).

 

It is really irresponsible to chance leaving a pikes throat stitched up with trebles and wire because of using inappropriate tackle. Personally I hate trebles and its been argued (IMO convincingly) that large singles are dangerous for pike so I just don't fish for pike.

 

OK rant over!

 

Rich

[gozzer]

Are you looking for an argument. I didn't say anything about using wire traces when fishing with lobworms. I didn't say anything about using wire traces at all. I suggested using heavy line if you target pike, which has nothing to do with traces, worms, Steve Burke or Wingham AND I couldn't care less if you've landed a Blue Marlin on a whip, baited with casters. What I'm talking about is using the correct tackle for targeting Pike. Leaving a tiny hook in a pike is not the same thing as leaving a trace and an unknown length of completely unsuitable mono in a pike and that's what I'm talking about. If you can't make a point properly, don't make one at all.....and you suggest using common sense?

 

I'm not looking for an argument Andy, but your tone suggests that you are.

 

If you read my original post again, you will see I mentioned using lobworms and a wire trace on my normal leger gear to take jack pike, nothing else.

 

My other 'tongue in cheek' comments, you obviously didn't understand.

 

I have never taken pike on 'sink and draw' lobworm over about 8lb, and never lost a trace in a pike.

That doesn't mean a bigger pike wouldn't take a worm, but that would also apply if you are using worm and not targeting pike. Wouldn't it? Understand now?

 

John.

[Kappa]

I have never taken pike on 'sink and draw' lobworm over about 8lb, and never lost a trace in a pike.

That doesn't mean a bigger pike wouldn't take a worm, but that would also apply if you are using worm and not targeting pike. Wouldn't it? Understand now?

 

John.

 

No, the difference is the trace. The beauty of fishing is the one never knows what the next fish might be. Everyone has hooked a monster by mistake on maggot etc when tiddler bashing, clearly you can't fish for roach with 20lb line just in case of a massive barbel. However responsible anglers usually use a lighter hooklength and thus the fish is left with a small (barbless?) hook and a light hooklength, not trailing a 30lb breaking strain trace with a swivel just itching to get snagged and tether the fish.

 

Would you similarly recommend fishing for a nuisance carp with 3lb mainline and a 30lb hooklength?

 

Rich

[Kappa]

I guess the idea of compromising with using light gear to target occasional unwanted pike is not an appropriate solution.

 

Well done that man!

 

Its so refreshing for someone to think carefully about their fishing and fish wellfare AND to top it all off not to take the easy route but to abstain rather than take risks!

 

Rich

[Guest Rabbit]

You don't need specialist pike tackle to do this, I just used to put the wire trace onto my normal leger set up, just make sure you have the gear to unhook it if it happens.

 

John.

 

That is the most irresponsible tip I have ever heard, even from you John...good Lord man get a grip

[gozzer]

No, the difference is the trace. The beauty of fishing is the one never knows what the next fish might be. Everyone has hooked a monster by mistake on maggot etc when tiddler bashing, clearly you can't fish for roach with 20lb line just in case of a massive barbel. However responsible anglers usually use a lighter hooklength and thus the fish is left with a small (barbless?) hook and a light hooklength, not trailing a 30lb breaking strain trace with a swivel just itching to get snagged and tether the fish.

 

Would you similarly recommend fishing for a nuisance carp with 3lb mainline and a 30lb hooklength?

 

Rich

 

Who mentioned 30lb traces Rich?

Surely the use of a main line of 10-12lb (as suggested) with such a trace would, would also pose a similar risk.

I still have traces made up of 9lb wire, single hook, for use when lob or minnow fishing for jacks. When coupled with a 6lb line and an avon type rod, I've never had a problem.

As you say, you cannot tackle up for the biggest fish in a fishery regardless of target fish, you have to have some kind of compromise.

 

John.

 

PS. The bit you highlighted was me explaining the 'tongue in cheek' bit.

Edited August 27, 2008 by gozzer