Targetting bigger pike

[TrevBoy]

I've just started trying my hand at pike fishing. My local lakes have them in some numbers (so the locals tell me) and to some size (20lb+) but the same locals all give conflicting advice as to where the larger specimens might be hiding. I've had jacks to 5lb, which was a good start, but would like to test the new rod a little more.

 

Is there a way to target the bigger fish? I am using a selection of surface lures at the moment as the lake is quite weedy below the surface. I don't wish to go down the live/dead bait route yet, so am I gonna struggle?

[argyll]

I've just started trying my hand at pike fishing. My local lakes have them in some numbers (so the locals tell me) and to some size (20lb+) but the same locals all give conflicting advice as to where the larger specimens might be hiding. I've had jacks to 5lb, which was a good start, but would like to test the new rod a little more.

 

Is there a way to target the bigger fish? I am using a selection of surface lures at the moment as the lake is quite weedy below the surface. I don't wish to go down the live/dead bait route yet, so am I gonna struggle?

 

 

Beware of locals that tell you about biggies. The stories usually get a bit vague when you press them.

 

There are all sorts of fancy answers but theres no easy route. You just have to put in the time and catch the jacks as well. You can deter (but not completely avoid) the very small fish by using larger lures. Most big fish lure specialists use 7 inch plus lures all of the time and whilst the numbers are reduced, the average weight tends to be higher. A small lure will normally be snaffled by jacks and perch before the big girls get to it, unless you luckily stick it right on the nose. It's a matter of energy expended in relation to the calorific value of the food captured. Big fish wont as a rule chase small lures if it means burning more calories than they get from the meal that they are chasing. You can catch big fish with small lures but you'll miss out on those that decide to let it go and wait for something bigger to swim by.

Edited June 20, 2006 by argyll

[Rob Hale]

I echo Argyll's comments. Personally, I have always found the larger pike to be far less inclined (lazy!) to go after spinners and smaller lures.

 

Large plugs in the summer and deadbaits in the winter seem to yield far better results, although I don't think you can ever exclude the smaller fish (especially not Jacks!).

 

Just work the areas, trying different depths and lures.

 

You can pick up some "weedless" plugs which will dive down a little more and don't get caught in weed quite so often.

 

Tight Lines!

 

Rob

[PIKE]

You will be better off waiting to the winterand useing dead baits.

[Newt]

Pike - wouldn't large live baits be more likely to produce good fish than dead baits?

[Rob Ward]

That's a somewhat contentious issue that tends to upset the matchmen, Newt.

Edited June 20, 2006 by Rob Ward

[BoozleBear]

I caught 2 nice pike, 11lb and 8lbs on deads not long ago.

 

Might as well have a dead out and spin on the other rod. Doesn't matter if dead doesn't catch, you've got your lures to fall back on.

 

Good idea to ledger the dead and use an alarm in case you are looking at lure and not float. Don't want a deep hooked fish.

[Russell Fitzpatrick]

like argyll said theres no easy route, have to put the time in and suffer the jacks(small but good fun!?).

 

dont go down the live/dead bait route in summer stick to lures wait for the winter for baits,plus the weed will have died back by then.

[Dick Dastardly]

Specificly targeting big pike? I dont think there is such a thing.I tend to just try and catch as many pike as possible and play the "numbers game" I dont think that catching small pike will stop you catching big ones.As for bait size then regardless of the size of pike 8" seems to be the optimum size.Lures are slightly different as larger lures (might not necesarily attract bigger fish) do deter smaller pike.But why would you want to deter them? Any big pike in the area who wants your bait will soon hustle the jacks out of the way!Its not a "bream moping up your carp baits" type scenario.

 

All this about live baits only catching small pike and deadbaits sorting out the bigger ones is a difficult one.A lot depends on the water and how you fish the baits.

 

Ask me again in the Winter about baits and I will gladly pass on what Ive learned but as Russ says stick with the lures for now.

 

Gerry has hit it right on the head,dont believe all the storys you hear about Big Pike! most people think a 10lbr is big when they dont see it on a set of scales.You aint going to catch a twenty if there isnt one in the water.Even if there is its still the "numbers game" the more you catch the more chance of getting a big one.Any way if you dont like catching 5-8lbrs then you might as well give up piking as these are your bread and butter fish.

[Peter Waller]

I've had thirty pound pike on small lures, and I've had numerous jacks on thundering great jerk baits!

 

What non pike anglers see as big might not be that big. What pike anglers see as big might well be so, but if they have any wisdom they keep the location to themselves.

 

Better to keep trying with the lures, Trev. At this time of the year lures will catch big pike, if they are there. And that has to be the rub, are they really there?

 

Re the advice to sling out a deadbait whilst lure fishing, in my books that amounts to bad angling practice. That aside, if you want to catch big pike, concentrate on one method or the other. Lure fishing is a mobile technique, deads on alarms tends to be static, the two metods are not really compatible. Takes from big pike can be very sensitive and remarkably gentle, gentle enough to go unnoticed by an alarm. There are members who have witnessed big pike in clear water mouth and eject baits, and the alarms have remained silent. Set up pencil floats and remain vigilant. Big pike is not about chuck it and chance it. Better to work one rod well than two rods badly. Pike fishing is not carp fishing!

 

Check out posts on soft baits like shads and grubz, these soft baits have revolutionised lure fishing. Another thing worth trying is fish oils, I am convinced that they help. Smear oils on your lures, better still have a small oblong of foam threaded onto the trace just above your lure and squirt oil into it every so many casts. Newt gave me a bottle of crawfish oil, smells just like linseed oil, but the fish liked it on opening day, especially the jacks! Fish oils are greatly underused by most lure anglers, they cost bugger-all and really do help.

 

At this time of the year I'd rather use a shad than a live bait as the ultimate weapon but lives, in the winter, might just crack it. Big pike are wise pike, otherwise they won't be big! Half mackeral laying on the bottom tend to have hooks in 'em!

Edited June 21, 2006 by Peter Waller