I started fishing for Pike around 30 years ago when a work colleague took me to Bassenthwaite in the lake district. I remember the day very well, I was the only one to have any runs, mainly because of my useless casting which put me right on the fish which were obviously feeding close in. I lost the first one as I hadn't twiddled my trace tight enough. With my traces refettled, I cast out again and caught this 13lber.
From that moment I was addicted and fished for Pike, mainly in the lake district, for the following fifteen years or so. with the Highlight being my first 20lber.
For one reason or another (kids, relationships with women, alcohol, jobs with little free time etc.) had a ten yearish break.
About three years ago, I decided I'd like to get my Pike rods out again and now I'm as enthusiastic as ever.
I seem to me having more success than when I was younger, I'm not sure whether it's because there are more Pike about or because I'm applying a more mature and methodical approach to my fishing.
This last twelve months has been the best for me with a few nice doubles including three twenties which isn't bad considering all my fishing is in the Lake district. My best fish came at the end of last year, a new PB of over 26lb
This year, I decided I was going to concentrate on one particular lake and after searching for new spots, I found a couple of places with a nice depth of water around 30 ft. I returned to one of the spots a couple of days ago and was pleased to get a run quite early into the session but unfortunately, I didn't hook it. I then had a very shy take on another rod, this time , I managed to hook the fish, a nicely conditioned 17lber.
I was pleased the hooks came out in the net, one less job. After a quick weigh and photo I went to return the fish which seemed eager to swim off, unfortunately, it went belly up with gas about ten yards out so I waded out and re-netted it. I then placed it in a retaining sling and kept it upright, hoping it would expel the air.
I kept it in this position for over an hour until I had to leave, when I went to let it go, it appeared to swim off strongly but went belly up again, this time, way out of my reach. I found this very upsetting but I believe I did all I could, the fish was handled well and wasn't out of the water for any more than two minutes. I could see it was continually trying to right itself as it drifted away with the wind, by this time it was going dark and I had to pick my little lad up from school. I'm hoping the fish did recover but to be honest it didn't look good for the pike,
This is the first time I've had to deal with a gassed up Pike, I believe I did everything within my capabilities to help it recover.
I've since looked on the internet for information on how to rehabilitate a gassed up Pike and found nothing which is one of the reasons I've joined this forum, I'm hoping someone can give me info on how to ensure the safe return of a gassed up fish.
I've also been looking at a few youtube vids and I've seen some extremely poor handling of Pike but the fish still manage to swim off which doesn't make me feel any better.
