Best baits for this time of year?

[MatchMaster95]

Going river piking on monday at the Dorset Stour, just wondering what the best bait and rig is for this time of year, thanks for your help

[Maddison_Twatter]

same baits you would normally use m8, the fishes oil content will not have as much effect in the winter months but you can still use baits such as , mackeral ,blueys,lamprey,sprat,herring,sardine,trout and coarse species such as roach, dace, small pike . anything it can swallow really, just bait up with diferent baits and see what works for you

[Echelon Pest]

Originally Posted by Maddison_Twatter

same baits you would normally use m8, .........................

IMO There's only one bait/method for River Pike and that's a float paternostered live-bait. OK, you can catch on other stuff but nothing else is anywhere near as effective. You just need to make the additional effort to catch the small stuff first. Sometimes though, its harder to catch the bait fish than the Pike.

Also, I very rarely sit in one spot but roam with minimum tackle and a single rod. I'll frequently cover upto half a mile in a day this way. As Pike are often in the marginal zones it pays to keep quiet and out of sight (avoid skylining at all costs) - creap around as if you were stalking Carp and you'll be surprised at your results.

[Maddison_Twatter]

@ E'pest, I might have to give that a go my self

[blackwater]

Try and add to your dead baits by injecting winterised oils, they will disperse in the water easier in colder weather. Also dont be afraid to inject vodka into deadbaits to help oils disperse too... its a Northern Irish thing, but it does work!

[Aborre]

I'll always use, Abu Atom Giller 20g (bronze)
http://pfcatalogarc.com/upload/produ...s/file_179.jpg

Good luck :)

[Jords]

if your not keen on using a live bait, ask at your local tackle shop if they have lamprey! It bleeds for ages and stays on the hook well! If your not gonna use a bait thats gonna make vibrations under water your gonna need a bait that has a strong smell to it!

good luck mate:)

[Jords]

Originally Posted by Echelon Pest

IMO There's only one bait/method for River Pike and that's a float paternostered live-bait. OK, you can catch on other stuff but nothing else is anywhere near as effective. You just need to make the additional effort to catch the small stuff first. Sometimes though, its harder to catch the bait fish than the Pike.

Also, I very rarely sit in one spot but roam with minimum tackle and a single rod. I'll frequently cover upto half a mile in a day this way. As Pike are often in the marginal zones it pays to keep quiet and out of sight (avoid skylining at all costs) - creap around as if you were stalking Carp and you'll be surprised at your results.

I totally agree mate! taking a float rod is almost vital especially if your catching your bait! if you can find a shoal of roach or daice theres probably a pike not to far behind! go for the most natural approach possible! Ive found a spot on my local marina thats heaving with roach and daice and when i put a chunk of lamprey down their it took a good half hour for the pike! When you use one of the fish out of the shoal as a live bait it will cause disturb the shoal aswell causing a lot of underwater vibration so if there is not a pike there at first there will be very SOON!