Another go using Savage Soft 4 Plays

[Baz T]

I did a post a few weeks ago, about my lack of success with Savage Soft 4Play lures with lip sculls, and that I was getting follows, and takes, but no hook ups.
I decided to try Exeter canal again today, so arrived at the canal (Lime Kilns) nice and early. The forecast was good, misty initially, then dull and cloudy for most of the day. Initially I thought I would try some Savage 4 play hard liplures, but after several swims with no sign of any fish, I switched to an HRT roach lure, but once again nothing.

Nothing for it - I might as well try the Savage Soft 4 Play. I moved on to the next swim, cast out, and bang - into a fish - unfortunately it got off after a few seconds. Here we go again I thought - that single treble is going to cost me dearly. However a few minutes later I had another take, and this time the pike was hooked, and landed. Nothing huge, but a hard fighting jack full of energy - it surprised me how hard it fought actually.

After actually hooking and landing a pike on the Soft 4 Play, I had a bit more confidence, and sure enough throughout the day I got quite a few takes a lot of which failed to hook up, but I also landed 8 pike, the biggest being about 8 or 9lb. I also saw the biggest perch I have ever seen - it must have gone at least 4lb. I thought it was a jack following my lure as it came head on towards me, and then it turned and I saw it was actually a huge perch. I quickly cast again, but it had gone.

I spent half the morning at the Kilns area, then drove around to fish the Turf stretch for a couple of hours. I did text Pingu earlier in the morning to see if he wanted to come down and join me, but car problems meant he couldnt come. I also bumped into Count Zero and his trusty sidekick Rob Darby, and although they were the other side of the bank to me we still managed some friendly banter, and then bumped into them again at the carpark where we discussed the days fishing (or lack of it in Rob's case!).

Anyway it was a great day out, bit hot and muggy at times, and the pike were up for it and full of energy which meant even the smallish jacks still gave a good account of themselves. I am also now more confident using the soft 4 play lures, although the last fish of the day bit the lure in half!

So - where are the features to fish in this then?

[IMG][/IMG]

The boats are usually a good place to look for the bigger perch

[IMG][/IMG]

One of the hard fighting jacks

[IMG][/IMG]

Not much left of that lure

[IMG][/IMG]

[pingu]

looks like you had a good day baz
cars in docs on tue/wed so be back on form after that

dave

[count zero]

good man, nice report, yes they were fighting hard yesterday baz and also coming up for the lures I took a couple on a rapala x-rap sub walk thingy which works just below the surface. Nice to see you mate.
Ian

[Complete Tangler]

Beautiful colouration on the Pike, they always seem to be a bit milky where I fish for them, tidy session.

[ninja_death]

Great report and pics. Nice looking pike too. Pity the treble wasn't just that little bit further back.

[Baz T]

Nice to see you too Ian and Rob - Hope Rob didnt make you buy too many pints at the Swans Nest. I caught another 2 jacks just up from the carpark, not long after I saw you. Will no doubt bump into you again soon on the banks somewhere.

[llandudnodogfish]

nice catch mate.

[andystone]

is it pike fishing all year in Exeter?

[Baz T]

Not on the River Culm, it has a close season. There is no close season on the canal.

[andystone]

and no problem fishing for pike this time of year? up hear we cant fish until october!