Pike Angling How To Catch a Pike

Much has already been written on the subject of pike fishing, But this is just based on my own experiences fishing for pike. Why not visit us here

My pike fishing sessions, consist of fishing on lakes canals here in the UK. The methods used are float, live and deadbait rigs, Ledgered live and deadbaits. Spinning with lures.

Pike are a nomadic, solitary fish, which preys on other small and disabled fish. Pike play an important part in any fishery, apart from offering great winter fishing. They help maintain a natural balance of a fishery, including eating any lame, injured or dying fish. Pike will also prey on other pike.

When you look at a pike, you can get a clue of how it lives, naturally camouflaged for hiding amongst weeds and vegetation, a long slim body designed for sheer bursts of speed. When ambushing it's prey.

On lakes and canals, wherever there are plenty of silver fish, the good old pike will not be far behind, lurking under a feature or weed-bank, just waiting for an unwary fish to swim by. The Bam! Quick as a flash it will strike, grabbing its prey. Once its prey has been turned and is in its powerful jaws, impaled on its backward facing teeth there is no chance of escape.

See the picture above, and how the pike blends in naturally with it's surroundings.

Whenever I take newcomers out piking for the first time, I always set them up with a bobber type float, as this is the perfect set up for the beginner as it gives them a visual marker to watch and shows every single knock or twitch. Bite indication is perfect and the time for for striking can be judged to perfection.

Using a ledger float rig especially in winter is a deadly set up for catching winter pike on a bottom deadbait. This is one of the simplest set ups, ideal on deeper lakes or on a slack part of a river. It consists of a wire trace with two connected treble hooks size 6, a carp bomb with two anti tangle beads either side so its free running. A pike float another anti tangle bead and a stop knot I usually use lead-core as its easy to use and slides easily. 20lb main line, this rig will pin your bait to the bottom and your float will rise to the top, to give a good bite indication.

Drift fishing with a live or a deadbait, can sometimes be a very productive method of pike angling, especially on slow days. When fishing on large lakes.. As the float has a small plastic sail like bit on the top, and will be pushed along by the wind. I have used this method on numerous occasions, It allows you trawl your bait across large lakes covering lots of the water and sometimes helps you cover distances you couldn't normally cast

Another great fish producing rig, that is often overlooked is the popped up deadbait, This is great for weedy, snaggy or silty waters. You insert a pop up stick inside your deadbait, these can be made from balsa wood, polystyrene or popup foam and held in by elastic if need be. This method just holds the bait up off the bottom, best used when ledgering to prevent tangles. Great results have been had using this rig. Give it a try you might surprised.

Here is a selection of deadbaits that I have had most success with.

The good old Roach a great all round deadbait and a tough one that will not fall off easy.

Herring is another good one that i use, but generally the tail end.

Mackerel, I never leave home without it. Use tail end or the head, a real good oily fish for attracting any hungry pike.

Sardine another great bait, but extreme care has to be taken when using it as it becomes very soft.

Smelt quite a hardy bait that pike seem to love.

Hope this has given you a few different ideas and maybe something a little different to try.