need help to actually land a pike

[***simon***]

well the first time i went pike fishing it was with no intention so i had totally the wrong gear. i hooked 4 pike on a live minnow with a size 16 hook but the kept biting through the line.

i went again and this time the pike werent even interested in the minnows so i was forced to use big roach. the pike took these with ease but is all the did was bite the fish in the middle. after a couple of minutes of letting it swallow the whole fish i lifted into the fish only to pull the whole roach out of its mouth.

i was using live bait and basically casting near the pike. after the fish died i was just spinning it until my mate got me another live bait. i did hook into one but it came off with ease. when i was using the minnows i hooked every single one and had about a 3-4minutes fight before it bit the line.

i would love to catch one of these as they look superb in the water when they chase and take the bait so i just cannot wait.

any advise will be greatly appreciated

many thanks

[Ben]

try using a light wire trace

[***simon***]

forgot to say that. on the second outing i had a wire trace with a treble hook. also along with all my other questions, whats the best way to hook a live bait???

thanks

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Welcome mate

Might want to have a quick look at this link | Mounting Baits |

[baitmaster]

it sounds as though you are not using a wire trace on your rigs there are several different types on the market and no predator angler fishes without any .
this is why you are losing the fish as they are biting you off .

using single hooks are not a problem if they are bigger enough to be able to set them in cetain situation i will use them with lives
you would probably be better of using a set up like this and your hook up rate will be a lot higher and still can be used for live baits .
i apologise for the pic as its out of focus but they should be clear enough
it also shows you what rig material i have chosen to use on them but its up to your own personal preference


all these rigs are 18" in length and have a swivel attachment at the other end.
i also use an up trace just in case the pike rolls over the rig and with an uptrace it will not be able to bite you off above the rig itself .

i hope it helps

tightlines
kevin

[fishypaul]

first and foremost mate please please please use a wire trace when pike fishing,every time you have a pike bite through your line you will end up with a pike with a hook in its mouth and possibly its throat,it could die if it can't feed due to its throat being sewn up.
i would also advise you to go piking with someone who is experienced with them,they are a fish that need to be fished for correctly and handled correctly.they may look fearsome predators but they are just as delicate as a any other fish and need to be treated accordingly.
you mention leaving the pike with the bait for a couple of minutes and then not hooking it,firstly that leads me to believe you are using a single hook and secondly you are leaving the fish with the bait far too long.
use a treble hook or even two in tandem and strike immeadiately you get a take,this will result in mouth hooked fish and not gut hooked.
if you are still unsure about it all,give me a shout and i will answer any questions you might have ,barring that,when i start piking again in october we could meet up and have a bit of a tutorial.
i would advise you to check the rules and regulations for the water you are fishing,many venues don't allow pike fishing until october.
in the meantime read as much as you can about pike fishing and you will very soon be catching them with ease and confidence

[***simon***]

i can assure you that i will be taking as much care as possible when landing and returning the fish. they havent done anything wrong, infact they have provided me with pleasure so i will take good care of them.

i am using wire traces, and the first time i saw the pike take my bait i did strike but to no avail. i will definitely perservere and land one eventually.

by the way i am fishing in a shallowish river and i can see the pike!!!

[baitmaster]

see you put it so much better than i did may be cause i rushed my answer paul
but i could not agree more with what paul has said and yes you really do need to fish with an experienced piker just to show you not also the rigs to use but also unhooking and handling them properly .
and i could not think of a better predator angler you could meet up with to gain valuable knowledge simom

tightlines
kevin

[baitmaster]

oh by the way simon well come to the forum too

tightlines
kevin

[fishypaul]

Originally Posted by ***simon***

i can assure you that i will be taking as much care as possible when landing and returning the fish. they havent done anything wrong, infact they have provided me with pleasure so i will take good care of them.

i am using wire traces, and the first time i saw the pike take my bait i did strike but to no avail. i will definitely perservere and land one eventually.

by the way i am fishing in a shallowish river and i can see the pike!!!

thats great simon,perervere and the rewards will come your way,when you say shallowish river is it the little stour or the military canal,both have some very nice pike in,i had a beautiful 24 pounder out of the military canal a few years back,i got it on an artificial,if the pike are as busy as you say they are you could have a great deal of fun with a lure,