It is no secret how effective deadbaiting is for catching pike. Whether you are targeting the smallest or largest pike in your venue, they will seldom turn their noses up at a well-presented deadbait. However, if you want to catch a truly big fish, this method should not be overlooked, as it will help you land huge pike.
There are lots of rigs, various fish that can be used as bait and tackle you can use to catch pike when deadbaiting, but keeping things simple and strong is often the best way to go as often, if you can can locate the pike you will catch them.
USING THE BEST PIKE FISHING RODS WILL HELP YOU LAND BIG PIKE ON DEADBAITS.
Location
As with most predatory fish, certain features are likely to attract pike, and targeting these areas can significantly increase your chances of a pickup. On canals, look for moored boats, overhanging trees, turning circles, or marinas, as baitfish tend to shoal in these areas, drawing in pike.
On reservoirs and lakes, focus on drop-offs where the depth changes quickly or deeper areas. It can also be worth speaking to match anglers, as they often know where the pike are located. On rivers, seek out slack water, backwaters, and side channels. Pike typically avoid fast-flowing water, so if you can find a slightly deeper pool with some cover and minimal flow, there's a good chance a large pike will be waiting there in ambush.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE BEST VENUES YOU CAN TRY TO CATCH A HUGE PIKE.
Deadbait choice
There are plenty of deadbaits to choose from, and certain baits perform better on specific venues, so it’s worth bringing a variety to try. Quite often, if you’re not catching, a change of bait can lead to a change in fortune. Popular choices include mackerel, sardines, smelt, lamprey, roach, and trout.
Each of these baits has its own advantages and disadvantages, but keeping a selection in your bag will greatly increase your chances of landing more pike!
YOU NEED THE BEST PIKE REELS TO HELP WIND IN HEAVY END TACKLE AND BIG PIKE.
Rig choice
When deadbaiting, you can either choose to floatfish or leger. One thing that is important is keeping resistance to a minimum, and anything that can be free-running is ideal, as pike will often let go of a bait if they feel any tension when moving off with it. A typical float rig will be fished over-depth, allowing your deadbait to lie on the lakebed. You can also fish it shallow and allow the bait to be pushed around the lake with the tow, emulating a live fish.
When legering, either an inline lead or a standard lead, down to a bead that sits on top of your trace, is best. This setup allows the line to be pulled through the weight, helping to reduce the resistance.
PIKE CAN BE CAUGHT ON LURES, CHECK OUT THE BEST LURES TO CATCH THEM IN OUR GUIDE.
Terminal tackle
This is the most important aspect of deadbaiting, as you need to fish safely in order to look after the pike. There is no excuse for snapping off! The mainline should be heavy mono, with 20lb+ being ideal, but for ultimate strength, a 30lb+ braid is best. Not only will this prevent snapping off when playing a fish, but it will also help you bend the trebles out if you get snagged, preventing a live rig from being left in the water.
A wire trace is also a must, as pike have teeth that can cut through even the thickest line. You can buy ready-tied traces if you aren't sure how to tie them, but a length of wire around 30cm-45cm is adequate. You can choose to use a treble, a large single hook, or a circle hook. Just make sure the trebles are semi-barbless, with the barbed hook impaled into the deadbait.
A LARGE NET IS REQUIRED TO LAND PIKE SAFELY, OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST LANDING NETS HAS SOME GREAT OPTIONS.
Final tips
While deadbaits are effective as they are, you can increase their attraction by injecting them with fish oilsor dyeing them in coloUrs like red and yellow. You can also chop up bits of fish and introduce them into the swim. As pike take baits headfirst, always hook your deadbaits tail-first to prevent deep-hooking. Striking quickly also helps prevent this from happening.
It is always advised to go with someone experienced in pike fishing on your first trip, but if you don't have anyone to go with, be confident when handling a pike on the bank. A pair of forceps is an absolute must to get the hooks out, as well as an unhooking mat to lay the fish down. You may need to trap the pike between your legs to help unhook it.
THIS EXPERT GUIDE WILL HELP YOU HANDLE AND UNHOOK PIKE SAFELY WHEN YOU CATCH ONE!
