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How to safely handle and unhook pike

by James Furness |

Updated on29th October 2025 at 12.46pm

Some species are more vulnerable to bad handling practice than others, and pike come close to the top of that list.

With winter fast approaching, these fearsome freshwater predators will soon become the focus for many – yet despite their power-packed build and seemingly fierce nature, pike can be quite fragile creatures that will suffer more than most other coarse fish from poor handling.

In truth, all our fish are too valuable to catch just once. With so many more people coming into angling for the first time, we’re taking a closer look some of the things you can do to ensure the catch-and-release process is swift and simple.

Strike as soon as you get a bite

This will help to avoid many of the problems associated with the species. Any delay can lead to the fish being deep-hooked, and this advice is even more important at this time of year when, in cooling temperatures, pike will often sit on the spot eating the bait, so bites can be subtle. Don’t delay, strike straight away!

USING THE RIGHT RIGS CAN HELP WITH THIS PROCESS, HERE IS A GOOD FLOAT RIG FOR PIKE.

Don't wait around when a pike takes the bait

Get them in quickly

When you hook into a pike (always using sufficiently strong gear – 15lb minimum mainline and wire traces) – the aim should always be to get them into the net as quickly as is feasibly possible. Tiring a fish out needlessly will only increase the stress it feels and its chance of being injured.

A GOOD REEL WILL HELP YOU GET A PIKE UNDER CONTROL. HERE'S OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST PIKE FISHING REELS.

Play pike hard to get them in quickly

Handle them confidently

Manage this, and you’ll have far fewer problems. A good tip, especially for newbies to predator angling, is to use a leather gardening glove or similar to help boost your confidence when handling and unhooking pike. Cuts and grazes are inevitable, but being confident with how you hold the fish and remove the hooks with long-nosed forceps will guarantee its welfare.

Support their weight

Something a lot of anglers get wrong comes at the ‘trophy shot’ stage. Don’t handle pike as you would a carp, with one hand under the head and one below the belly, as this will only increase pressure on the pike’s spine. Grip one hand under the jaw, and then cradle the rest of the fish with your other arm under its vent to support its weight evenly.

HERE ARE SOME GREAT TIPS TO HELP YOU CATCH BIGGER PIKE...

The correct way to hold a pike, support their weight and if you aren't confident, get a mat shot!

Gallery

How to unhook pike safely

Place the pike on a padded unhooking mat, making sure its fins are flush to its body, and gently sit astride it to stop it thrashing about 1 of 3

Place the pike on a padded unhooking mat, making sure its fins are flush to its body, and gently sit astride it to stop it thrashing about

Run your fingers into the underside of its jaws, steering clear of its gills. Apply light pressure with your thumb to secure a firm hold 2 of 3

Run your fingers into the underside of its jaws, steering clear of its gills. Apply light pressure with your thumb to secure a firm hold

Now lift the jaws slightly upwards towards you and the pike’s mouth will open. Finally, carefully remove the trebles with forceps 3 of 3

Now lift the jaws slightly upwards towards you and the pike’s mouth will open. Finally, carefully remove the trebles with forceps

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