Handling pike

[The Flying Tench]

I thought I'd got the knack of handling pike, but I caught a jack of 4-5lbs yesterday, and found it hard to get my finger into the gill to lift its head. I guess it would have been easier if it had been a bit bigger, but I was wary of hurting/damaging the gill filaments. I sorted it OK, but I wasn't as quick as I might have been. 2 questions:

 

1) how fragile are the gill filaments? Is it OK to rub against them with a glove?

 

2) currently I use a gardening glove, but I think I need to change this to something that will slide in more easily. What do others use?

[Sportsman]

I thought I'd got the knack of handling pike, but I caught a jack of 4-5lbs yesterday, and found it hard to get my finger into the gill to lift its head. I guess it would have been easier if it had been a bit bigger, but I was wary of hurting/damaging the gill filaments. I sorted it OK, but I wasn't as quick as I might have been. 2 questions:

 

1) how fragile are the gill filaments? Is it OK to rub against them with a glove?

 

2) currently I use a gardening glove, but I think I need to change this to something that will slide in more easily. What do others use?

 

I can't get on with a glove at all. I like to be able to feel what I am gripping.

Take a deep breath and try without, the bleeding stops eventually

[Ken L]

The trick is to slide your fingers inside the gill with the pads of your finger tip in constant contact with the inside of the gill cover (Operculum).

You will still get raker rash on occasion and good cuts once in a while but it keeps your fingers well away fron the delecate gills.

 

I can't get on with gloves either although I hear good things about the Lindy Glove.

[Andy_1984]

what is raker rash ?. only ever handled a pike once in the manners described and was an easy 10-12lb so i had loadsa room

[Ken L]

what is raker rash ?.

 

lines of tiny cuts caused by contact with the tooth like surfaces on the pikes gill rakers. They are sharper than any scalpel and when the cut you up , you will bleed for a while.

[Andy_1984]

lines of tiny cuts caused by contact with the tooth like surfaces on the pikes gill rakers. They are sharper than any scalpel and when the cut you up , you will bleed for a while.

 

Wow cheers for the heads up, need to watch out next time

[Grandma]

2) currently I use a gardening glove, but I think I need to change this to something that will slide in more easily. What do others use?

 

These will do precisely what you are looking for:

 

http://chicoslures.blogspot.com/

 

I've got a Lindy too, but I haven't used it since getting the musky gloves. IMO they are more fish friendly than bare fingers because the material dosen't snag as much as human skin.

[Chico]

These will do precisely what you are looking for:

 

http://chicoslures.blogspot.com/

 

I've got a Lindy too, but I haven't used it since getting the musky gloves. IMO they are more fish friendly than bare fingers because the material dosen't snag as much as human skin.

 

Hell, news of me travels fast!! Hardly unbiased but they are the only glove I'd ever consider.

[Russell Fitzpatrick]

with bigger pike,ie doubles and bigger you can get all four fingers in easily and safely,with jacks i use two fingers-index and middle or just index.

 

i have used lindy gloves,but i also use chico's musky gloves,teh best glove i have used by far,still retains alot of feel but saves you getting cuts and prevents infections.

-get ya self a pair you wont regret it.

[Chico]

with bigger pike,ie doubles and bigger you can get all four fingers in easily and safely,with jacks i use two fingers-index and middle or just index.

 

i have used lindy gloves,but i also use chico's musky gloves,teh best glove i have used by far,still retains alot of feel but saves you getting cuts and prevents infections.

-get ya self a pair you wont regret it.

 

thanks for that Ratty.