Still aint got my double figure pike - yet..

[Baz T]

Set off early in the morning, and decided to fish the Lime Kilns area of Exeter Canal. Set up my rods, with sardine, herring and roach on each one.
Had a run about 30 mins after first cast on my herring bait, which was tight to the far bank. It was a good run, but then stopped suddenly. I waited but still nothing, so tried twitching the bait but the pike must have gone as I didnt get any more interest.

I continued fishing, and about 1 hour later got another run on my herring bait. It stopped again, but then moved off a few seconds later. I struck and felt a good solid weight, with a couple of hard thumps. After about 10 seconds of tug of war, everything went slack. Retrieved my gear to find a half eaten herring dangling from the bottom treble.

Not much happened for the next couple of hours. I was a bit cold, and dozing in the chair, so decided to wind in my gear, and set one rod up for wobbled deadbaits and wander along the canal to try several swims. Just took my net and mat with me. I got a jack of about 4lbs on the wobbled smelt = feisty little fighter too. Didnt have the camera with me so returned him quickly to the water.

Dave (Pingu) wandered along the canal shortly after, with his spinning rod - he said he would pop down and say hello if he got the chance, so it was nice to see him. We had a chat and he then wandered off to try a few swims with his lures, though no fish to show for his efforts. After another quick chat he decided to fish his way back to the car - dont know if he got any, but I didnt hear any shouts so I guess not.

About an hour after Dave left I had a screaming run on a trout deadbait - went off like a train. Lifted into the fish, and after a good hard fight a fish of about 10lbs was in the net. It weighed in at 4.5 kg, which is 9.9 lbs would you believe. Another 0.5 kg and it would have gone 10lbs - typical! So I still havent got my double figure pike yet - missed it by an ounce or two.

I also tried using my camera on timer, as I bought a bank stick camera attachment and it was handy being able to take a photo of me with the pike, rather than it lying on the unhooking mat.

Sunset came..and went, and no more bites, so it was time to pack up and set off home. An enjoyable day, nice to meet Dave again, and had a couple of pike to show for it.



The Command Centre -..or..view of the swim


Sunset


Sunset with a blue lens


Nearly 10lb..but not quiite!!

[pingu]

was nice to meet up again and a good result in the end then baz

no i didnt get anything on way back


dave

[MRG2000]

Nice fishing Baz ,that "doubles" coming any day now ....

[Mr J]

that report sounds so familiar. For months of pike fishing i kept hitting 8's and 9's. Then I hit a 15 eventually and it was the best feeling. It'll come.

[blackwater]

Well done there, you will get that double soon. Just stick at it!

Justin

[PikeHunter]

Well done, class looking fish. So frustrating I'm sure getting so close!

That pic with the blue lens is quality!

[PikeHunter]

Oh yeah, tell me more about this bankstick camera attachment mate please. Sounds like a plan!

[Maddison_Twatter]

great looking pics ..cracking fish

[Baz T]

Thanks for comments lads. Pikehunter - I got a GARDNER CAMERA ADAPTOR FOR BANK STICK on ebay..try this link
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GARDNER-CAMERA...item19c363a56d

just under a fiver including postage

[count zero]

Nice one Baz well done, at least some fish are starting to come out of that bloody canal at last!