Post by Daz on Feb 3, 2013 13:36:58 GMT
Vital Statistics:
Scientific Name: Esox lucius
Maximum Weight: 70lb
Average Weight: 7 - 8lb
Maximum Length: 4ft
Life Span: 18-25 years
Pike
'Freshwater shark'
The pike is Britains largest native predatory freshwater fish. Its size has made this fish the target of many anglers hoping for the catch of a lifetime.
Pike Characteristics:
Fast, efficient and streamlined the pike cannot be mistaken for any other fish. Most of its characteristics are adaptations to its predatory lifestyle. Camouflage colouring, eyesight, body form and fin arrangement all contribute to the pikes success as a hunter. The pikes body has yellow and green markings which help disguise the pike as a patch of weed. All the dorsal and anal fins are grouped near the tail giving the pike tremendous power to launch itself after prey. The mouth contains many razor sharp teeth.
Where to find Pike:
Pike seem to thrive in still waters of the gravel pit/reservoir type, but can also live comfortably in canals, lakes and rivers.
Feeding Habits:
Although predatory by nature the Pike is an opportunist who will, at times, eat almost anything that the angler an offer. Normally, however, the pike is a fish-eater. Small pike usually prefer to catch fresh food, but big pike often become scavengers and quite happy to eat any dead fish they come across. Strangely enough, big pike do not even seem to mind overmuch if they eat almost rotten fish, although they are more inclined to go for fresh dead fish if given a choice.
Pike Baits:
Live fish make the all round best pike bait, and as pike are not fussy it does not matter really what type of fish is used as bait. Roach, rudd, dace and gudgeon are the most commonly used livebait in the United Kingdom, mainly because tehy are easiult obtainable. Small bream also make a good pike bait, as do perch.
Deadbaits are also extremely effective. The deadbait has afew advantages over livebait, particularly if the angler dislikes he idea of impaling a live creature on a large hook. Suitable deadbaits can be obtained from the local fish shop. Mackerel, herring, sardine and sprat make good baits. It isnt known why pike like sea fish, but the probability is that pike are attracted to the oily smell of the flesh, and being lazy creatures, pike are content picking up an easy meal instead of chasing after shoalfish upon which they normally feed. Trout and grayling also make good deadbait for pike.
As one would expect an effective form of groundbaiting for pike is by throwing in whole of chopped up fish.
Authors preferred baits:
Sprats and Mackerel deadbaits tend to be attractive to Pike and have produced some good fish, as well as Roach deadbait. Plugging is also a good way to catch Pike.
How to catch Pike
Livebaiting, deadbaiting - by float or ledger. Plugs and spinner. Spinning a deadbait can be very effective and the fly catches lot's of pike of all sizes
Scientific Name: Esox lucius
Maximum Weight: 70lb
Average Weight: 7 - 8lb
Maximum Length: 4ft
Life Span: 18-25 years
Pike
'Freshwater shark'
The pike is Britains largest native predatory freshwater fish. Its size has made this fish the target of many anglers hoping for the catch of a lifetime.
Pike Characteristics:
Fast, efficient and streamlined the pike cannot be mistaken for any other fish. Most of its characteristics are adaptations to its predatory lifestyle. Camouflage colouring, eyesight, body form and fin arrangement all contribute to the pikes success as a hunter. The pikes body has yellow and green markings which help disguise the pike as a patch of weed. All the dorsal and anal fins are grouped near the tail giving the pike tremendous power to launch itself after prey. The mouth contains many razor sharp teeth.
Where to find Pike:
Pike seem to thrive in still waters of the gravel pit/reservoir type, but can also live comfortably in canals, lakes and rivers.
Feeding Habits:
Although predatory by nature the Pike is an opportunist who will, at times, eat almost anything that the angler an offer. Normally, however, the pike is a fish-eater. Small pike usually prefer to catch fresh food, but big pike often become scavengers and quite happy to eat any dead fish they come across. Strangely enough, big pike do not even seem to mind overmuch if they eat almost rotten fish, although they are more inclined to go for fresh dead fish if given a choice.
Pike Baits:
Live fish make the all round best pike bait, and as pike are not fussy it does not matter really what type of fish is used as bait. Roach, rudd, dace and gudgeon are the most commonly used livebait in the United Kingdom, mainly because tehy are easiult obtainable. Small bream also make a good pike bait, as do perch.
Deadbaits are also extremely effective. The deadbait has afew advantages over livebait, particularly if the angler dislikes he idea of impaling a live creature on a large hook. Suitable deadbaits can be obtained from the local fish shop. Mackerel, herring, sardine and sprat make good baits. It isnt known why pike like sea fish, but the probability is that pike are attracted to the oily smell of the flesh, and being lazy creatures, pike are content picking up an easy meal instead of chasing after shoalfish upon which they normally feed. Trout and grayling also make good deadbait for pike.
As one would expect an effective form of groundbaiting for pike is by throwing in whole of chopped up fish.
Authors preferred baits:
Sprats and Mackerel deadbaits tend to be attractive to Pike and have produced some good fish, as well as Roach deadbait. Plugging is also a good way to catch Pike.
How to catch Pike
Livebaiting, deadbaiting - by float or ledger. Plugs and spinner. Spinning a deadbait can be very effective and the fly catches lot's of pike of all sizes
