With cooler weather settling across the country, big pike are actively feeding nationwide. Looking over our catch reports, it’s clear that now is the perfect time to get out on the bank in search of one.
On a trip to a local gravel pit , Paul Whitfield managed to catch the biggest pike he has caught in years with this cracking fish of 23lb 6oz.
“It was a misty start to the day that just screamed ‘pike’. My mate Steve and I landed a handful of fish between 3lb and 15lb before the big girl struck in the final 30 minutes of the session."
“A mackerel tail fished 40 yds out, presented flat on the bottom, was the successful hookbait and I’m still absolutely buzzing!”
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ONE OF THE BEST PIKE REELS IS REQUIRED WHEN USING THE HEAVY END TACKLE REQUIRED FOR BIG PIKE._
Luke Gilman has also had some great success with his pike fishing recently, fishing on a brand new venue where he managed to tame a lovely condition pike.
“I was fortunate enough to fish a new predator water called Westfield Lake, in Goole, East Yorkshire. It holds a bit of mystery, as it’s always been a boating lake. However, I was allowed to have a quick go by Sean, the owner, before his syndicate officially opened," Luke explained.
“Fishing a whole legered mackerel, I caught this pike of 19lb 3oz. The fish was immaculate, put up a really good fight, and in winter will weigh well over 20lb. Who knows what else might be in there?”
LURE FISHING CAN BE GREAT FOR PIKE, CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST LURES FOR PIKE FISHING.
On a memorable trip to the Norfolk Broads, Paul Croft banked this immense pike of 37lb 4oz, alongside others of 29lb 2oz and 23lb 14oz.
Conditions weren't exactly typical of what you would expect to be conducive to good pike fishing, with all the fish being caught on a warm, sunny day, when there was hardly a ripple on the water.
Paul was using his trusty paternoster rig, that consisted of 15lb Berkley Big Fish Mono, coupled with a 40lb hooklink. His choice of deadbait was the ever faithful sardine. After landing a small jack just before lunchtime, he then had to wait a few hours before his float slid away again, but it would prove to be worth the wait.
Paul connected with a powerful fish that was clearly no jack, and battled it for around eight minutes before it came to his net.
The fish is a new PB, and although he has caught two other 30-pounders since he started pike fishing back in 2009, he describes this latest specimen as ‘the fish of his lifetime’.
CHECK OUT THE BEST PIKE RODS TO HELP YOU TAME A MONSTER CROC LIKE THIS ONE!
