Newton Abbot Pike

[Sir Blanks-alot]

Thought id add this report from my session at Rackerhayes last Thursday seeing as im on the old pc after a xmas darts night, and no i didnt win!!

Well was down to the ponds about 9am feeling a little worse for wear it has to be said. Thought id try fishing First Pond as its got lots of pike in it, albeit no monsters but they all count.

Started off lure fishing with a spoon as they have always done me well in the past. Fished a couple of swims bringing it in slowly when all of a sudden i bring the spoon in close and i spot two pike following it in! I slowed down but ran out of water so thought id just jig it along the platform which was already under water through all the rain we have had!! Of course this spooked both of them so thought id better move on. Although this did give me a bit of encouragement as have never caught lure fishing here.

A couple of swims on exactly the same thing happened and i jigged the spon along only this time, BANG! the pike hit the lure and off it went, was a great tussle but not a monster so was on the bank in a couple of minutes, im still to get a croc but was a nice fish, [/IMG]tried hard after this one but no more forthcoming!! Hey ho.

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Looks a great place to fish well done

[Baz T]

Hi, nice fish and pics, well done. I live in Plymouth and contacted Tackle Trader Newton Abbot recently about pike fishing at Rackerhayes, as I hadnt been before. Apparently one of the ponds with larger pike is full members only, (but I am not sure which one that is), however they did say one of the other ponds had pike in it, but they were smaller. Is the pond u fished day ticket? and what size pike are in it? (p.s. I am hoping the forceps in the pic are 20 inches long..). Would appreciate any info or tips on Rackerhayes, as I may try there after New Year.

[pingu]

nice one there

dave

[Sir Blanks-alot]

Originally Posted by Baz T

Hi, nice fish and pics, well done. I live in Plymouth and contacted Tackle Trader Newton Abbot recently about pike fishing at Rackerhayes, as I hadnt been before. Apparently one of the ponds with larger pike is full members only, (but I am not sure which one that is), however they did say one of the other ponds had pike in it, but they were smaller. Is the pond u fished day ticket? and what size pike are in it? (p.s. I am hoping the forceps in the pic are 20 inches long..). Would appreciate any info or tips on Rackerhayes, as I may try there after New Year.

Yeah thats right, the pond with the big pike is called Dores Pond, its quite a large water and its not easy fishing, although saying that where is! Its Full Members only which means that you cant get a day ticket for that particular lake.
First Pond, the one i fished, is stacked with jacks, iv had them to about 5lbs though im sure there must be bigger ones in there. Though its fun whatever size and the ones in First give you a right old tussle, especially with all the fallen trees and snags. Its an associate water which means you can get a day ticket though you will need to get a key from the shop as Rackerhayes has a big gate which is always locked. My best results here have come whilst iv been spinning, especially with big bronze spoons, though deadbaiting does work, there are lots of different areas to explore here with bushes overhanging most spots. It can take a good few hours just walking round throwing your lures into any pikey looking spots.
If you do get a day ticket for the Rackerhayes waters it also means you can have a go on Island and Linhay pond which both hold pike, though numbers and size i do not know having never really fished for pike there.
Its a lovely place to while a day away with lots of wildlife and is never normally that crowded. If you have any more questions just give me a shout. And yes, the forceps were actually hedge clippers, lol.

[Baz T]

Thanks for the quick, and informative reply, much appreciated. I will definately give it a go after New Year (shift work prior to then prevents an outing before New Year). Sounds like fun, and a nice area to fish. My son is after bagging his first pike, so will try there, and it would be good practice for him to catch some jacks first, (ref him handling them, unhooking and returning them) before we get some big mommas, plus as you mentioned there are 2 other ponds to try for pike. There must be a biggie lurking in there somewhere.
(Hedge clippers ... I wish)

[blackwater]

Well done on the pike, nice looking venue aswell,

BW

[oxgull]

I had a nostalgia moment reading your report and seeing the picture of First pond. I grew up in Kingsteignton and fished all the Rackers waters as well as Key Transport, Strictly, Eddisons, Rub-a-Dub, Boat Pond, Tip Top and Sawmills out on the Chudleigh road back in the 1970's. A lot has changed with a lot of the waters mentioned above being lost forever now but thats where I learnt my craft while still in short pants.

Still, back to the pike in first pond, they were plentiful back then as well. Not big but willing to chase a lure or grab a lobworm when fishing for the big perch that used to hang around the dead rushes in winter. Happy days

Great pictures and thanks for posting.

[Sir Blanks-alot]

Yeah alot has changed!

I remember fishing Rub-a-dub and Tip Top when i was young in the late eighties, early nineties. One of my most vivid memories of my young fishing days was hookin into a tench on my whip whilst fishing with my dad at Tip Top. Suffice to say i lost it but my memories of those ponds are still fresh in my mind. Eddisons, Key and Sawmills are still there though and producing quality fish! I have never heard of Strictly or Boat Pond though.

Good to reminice sometimes hey!

[Banana Steve]

Fantastic Report and great looking venue, well done on the Pike as well