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Sittingbourne Angling Club

Pike

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Pike (Esox lucius)

Description:
The Pike is common in slow reaches of rivers, ponds, canals and lakes. Its appearance is unmistakable with its powerful jaws, strong teeth and flattened head. It has a long torpedo shaped body and the dorsal fin is set at the rear. Its colouring allows it to camouflage itself amongst the plants and reeds and dart out to take its prey. They feed mainly on other fish but have been known to eat amphibians and even ducklings.
During the spawning, between February and May, the female grows considerably larger than the male and lays up to 500,000 eggs. These are scattered over the plants. They usually hatch in around two weeks and the tiny larva stick to the plants until the fry are fully formed.

Methods of Capture.
There are three main methods to tempt and catch Pike. Spinning, Lures and Baits. Of the three, the latter is the most popular. The bait can be a live-bait, a freshwater fish used with either a float or paternoster arrangement; this method is frowned upon in most circles. Alternatively, a dead-bait, a recently deceased freshwater fish or sea fish (whole or part) such as mackerel, herring or sprat presented on either a float, paternoster or leger set-up. When fished with floats or paternoster the bait should ideally be presented in a 'natural' position. A hook arrangement consisting of two trebles to a wire-trace hook link, positioned with the leading treble in the body to the rear of the gills or in the root of the pectoral fin, the second treble in the root of the dorsal fin. Legered baits can be hooked with the second hook in the tail, the first hook into the body. If fished at distance, the bait can also be bound to the trace to prevent loss. Some knowledge of the fishery is helpful in locating the Pike as it favours weed-beds, obstacles and underwater ledges or gullies. Strong tackle is highly recommended.

Tip:
To stimulate a fish in the last throws of life, twitch your dead bait occasionally. Pike often target weak, ailing prey.

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