Pike, Roach and Bream

[chroma]

Im predominantly a sea fisherman but the season thus far has been slooooooow.
All the usual spots i hit have been nothing more thn long days waiting for nothing (which is generaly ok by me)

A friend has mentioned that his pike spot is booming right now and therefore tommorow, instead of a sea loch im going to be hitting the freshwater to see whats what.

The only freshwater experience ive got is from brownie and rainbow trout fishing.

Anyone know if im in for any surprises?

Anyone know of any gear requirements or tips?

[cloudnineuk54]

only tip i can think off is fresh prawns,just like we like to eat,caught many big fish on this, the fresher the better,but dont tell anyone

[barrowmanandrew]

where you fishin?

[angus1972]

Best advice i can give to you is, if you use small baits then you'll probably catch small pike, but a few of them.
If you use big bait ie, half mackerel then you have a more chance of getting a bigger one.
However by using a bigger bait might mean sitting a little longer waiting for it.

If you do get a hit, remember not to strike right away as the pike takes its prey across its jaws until it has squeezed the life out of it then it wil turn it to put it down its throat head first. So it might mean counting to 10 before striking.

Hope you have a good day.

[chroma]

where you fishin?

Arden Pits.

The plan was straightforward enough, get up go out and pick up some maggot, use the maggot to catch some small perch.

Use the perch to catch pike, a double days fishing in one! genius!
Sadly it was not to be, seems everyone in the local area had the same idea regarding maggot and therefore none of the tackle shops within 30miles had any left

The only bait we could find was frozen pilchards that looked dubious at best, but faced with either a sun filled day sat indoors moping or a day out fishing by any means nessisary the pilchards got the vote. Some mepis and spoons as a fallback and to test the waters whilst they defrosted.

Spinning wise i got nowt but weed and some tree trout tackle misshaps.
Fortunately? the bait wasnt long in thawing, turns out my suspicions where correct and the fish where WELL past their sell by date, barely able to hold their sloppy forms long enough to get cast in.
Breaking up under the strain of a treble and bait elastic.
All in all the bait we wound up with was a mushy joke, not one to be repeated.


Was the best we managed, By the looks of it theres been a biggger one after it not too long ago so it raised our spirits considerably.
People who had the foresight and planning to get maggot and get onboard with the pirch idea had a far better success rate pulling pike out with startling frequency come sunset.

Also saw a good few bream fins out in the waters and shoals upon shoals of pirch, the water was jumping all day with constant activity irrespective of the unseasonably hot sunny conditions.

All in all a good day, but with maggot i could see it being outstanding.

Never realised pike fishing could be so fun! Im most definately a convert.