Pike
Pike
can grow to a maximum recorded length of 1.83 metres (6 ft 0 in), reaching a maximum recorded weight of 35 kilograms (77 lb).
The Scottish record line caught pike is 47lb 11oz which is actually 14oz HEAVIER than the U.K. record but that`s a story for another time .
Individual fish have been reported to reach 30 years in age.
All pike over 5 kilograms (11 lb) in body weight are females.
They have the elongated, torpedo-
Their coloration is typically grey-
Individual pike marking patterns are unique, like fingerprints.
They will also prey on insects and amphibians such as newts or frogs in times when
their usual food is scarce, and occasionally on small mammals like moles or mice
when caught water-
Pike feed on a wide range of food sources, predominantly smaller shoal fish. Pike are also cannibalistic, sometimes preying upon smaller members of their own species.
They are, however, undeserving of their reputation for being overly vicious predators. There are few substantiated incidents of pike 'attacks' on people.
Pike's further reputation as a pest seems to lie predominately amongst anglers who
seek more desirable species.
Effective methods for catching this hard-
Pike can easily be damaged when handled since they are not as robust as their reputation would suggest.
Colour of lure can be influenced by water clarity and weather conditions.
Since pike have numerous sharp teeth it is wise to take extreme care when unhooking them.
The use of surgical forceps to remove hooks is highly recommended, care for the pike should be the pike angler's utmost concern and you should always carry an unhooking mat for when your luck is in .
Please note the placement of fingers on the inside of it`s mouth
It is easy to handle a pike by inserting the fingers at the bottom of the gill opening and gripping the lower jaw (as above).
Big pike should also be supported at the belly.
When a pike is held this way it is also easier to keep the mouth open to remove a hook.
Many anglers now use special grips to grab the pike's front lower jaw, which can add to the safety of an anglers because of the danger imposed by the hooks of the lure or tackle and the pike's teeth.
The Pike Anglers club and later The Pike Anglers Alliance For Scotland were formed to campaign for the preservation of pike and the sport of pike fishing.
Upon taking the bait the pike will hold it for a short time in its mouth as it moves
off. The pike will then, usually, turn the bait in its mouth so that it sits in alignment
with its throat to ease swallowing.
It is recommended that when pike fishing the
process is not allowed to go this far and a strike is recommended as soon as a bite
is indicated.
Sometimes it is necessary to attach hooks on the head side as well
as the middle of the baitfish.But this method should only be implicated when the
angler has experience otherwise what is known as 'deep hooking' can result which
will normally kill or seriously injure the fish, hence why it is suggested that your
hooks be placed in the middle of the fish and the tail.
A big thanks to forum members Esox 1 & Mm0Kos & also to F. Ruiz from "The Pike Anglers Alliance For Scotland" for the unhooking pictures.
Also Thanks to Munro Reid for the fly patterns
Pike ‘Flies’
Other methods of catching and handing pike that are now frowned upon are the gaff and the gag. The gaff is a metal hook on the end of a pole used to hook through the fish's body in place of a more humane landing net. A gag is a device for holding open the pike's mouth whilst unhooking. These are now illegal in Scotland, as they put a huge amount of pressure on a pike's jaw causing irreparable damage which can lead to death through starvation.