pike baits

[fishypaul]

just starting to think about the coming season,have often wondered about using some of the small fish i have caught on the beach as pike bait,how about it,have any of you tried using pouting or whiting or perhaps even rockling as pike bait.

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Mackeral Herring spratts are all great pike fishing baits . Pouting or whiting - never tried them

Must admit looking forward to this aut... as I love spending a few hour Pike fishing

What method do you use / had anything good

[Norfolkboy]

i was thinking this not long ago paul, about using whiting/pouting and perhaps small codling, i'm sure that they'd be a great bait as i shouldn't think many people use them, give it ago and see how they fish, can't go wrong

[fishypaul]

i think pouting might be quite good,they have a lot of scales that would explode when hitting the surface or even when resting on the bottom.Popped up with a flavouring or colouring might be a very good way of presenting them,i will have a go in the early part of the season and report my results

[Ben]

you have to remember that national size limits still applie even if you are taking the fish for bait
i usualy go to a fish place and ask if they have any fish unsafe for human consumption anymore like sprats or herring, last time i got 5 herring (masive 1s, prob abit to big) for 32p cause they were a day old but still fresh
had 1 take but must have been a small 1 cause it bit it in half

[fishypaul]

yes,you have a point,i had forgotten about the size limits,last time i looked i think the size limit for pouting is 9 inches,just about the right size for me.half a pouting might be a better bait than a whole one.

[Ben]

but you then loss the shape n everything, for acouple of quide i cant dont think you can go wronge with just buying sprats
or even a bag whight bait will only set you back acouple of quide n you could use them for ages

[fishypaul]

im not sure that shape is that important,after all,half a mackerel doesnt look much but it sure catches plenty of fish,could it be that it gives off more smell and oil when it is cut in half.but you are right about the sprats,they do last for ages,they are just a bit too small for me.

[fishypaul]

where do you pike fish ben ?

[Ben]

well usualy isnt relally the right worm, more like whenever i do go pike fishing i go in the kenit in newbury purely cause its where my grandad lives

that reminds me, i need to start badgering my dad into taking me again soon