New Piker - basic equipment

[loz]

Hi All,

So new to pike fishing and preparing for a first session of lure fishing this weekend, on local private lakes in the Cotswold Water park.

Have got the nevessary equipment as advised to catch a pike and land it safelly if I can catch one!! Have bought a very large landing net, large forceps, landing mat etc. However, reading several articles online including from PAC it is recommended to buy "wirecutters" and "small bolt croppers".

I have no problem in getting this equipment and will certainly do so, but I have no understanding as a novice fishermen, when you would need to use either of the above. Are there any articles or videos that show or explain why and how to use them and under what circumstances?

Failing that, any information from personal experiences will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Loz

[Jason Skilton]

Small bolt cutter or side cutters are used to cut hooks out ;-)

[suffolk si]

have a look at the broadland pike vidoes on youtube , theres one on specifically unhooking i believe :)

[Duncan Holmes]

have a look at the broadland pike vidoes on youtube , theres one on specifically unhooking i believe :)

[loz]

Thanks for the responses, have looked at multiple videos on unhooking, landing etc.

It is the context I am unsure of regarding cutting hooks. Is it more likely that a hook would be cut when dead bait fishing or lure fishing? I am guessing that for a hook or hooks to be cut that the fish would need to have deeply swallowed the bait otting the hooks near the gills?

Just trying to cover as many bases as possible so that I am prepared for unexpected events.

Once again thanks for the replies.

Cheers

[Duncan Holmes]

Hi All,

So new to pike fishing and preparing for a first session of lure fishing this weekend, on local private lakes in the Cotswold Water park.

Have got the nevessary equipment as advised to catch a pike and land it safelly if I can catch one!! Have bought a very large landing net, large forceps, landing mat etc. However, reading several articles online including from PAC it is recommended to buy "wirecutters" and "small bolt croppers".

I have no problem in getting this equipment and will certainly do so, but I have no understanding as a novice fishermen, when you would need to use either of the above. Are there any articles or videos that show or explain why and how to use them and under what circumstances?

Failing that, any information from personal experiences will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Loz

Have you handled a pike before? If not the biggest difference you will face is teeth and these can be a bit daunting.

If you haven't then the best bit of advice that I can give is that you WILL get cut, spiked, nicked, grazed. But realise that 99.9999% of those will heal within a day or so.

A properly played pike should still be plenty lively when you get it in the edge, so expect it to be a bit of a handful.

Try to avoid the natural reaction to move your hands away from a lively pike. Doing that will result in more and worse cuts, scrapes, and more injury to the pike. Once you accept that pike fishing makes you bleed from time to time, trebles and teeth become less concerning.

Pack some stuff to clean and tape a minor wound, preferably in an outer pocket, you dont blood everything when you need it.

Not trying to put you off, but better to be prepared

[loz]

Cheers Duncan, makes sense.

[Justoutfishing]

Hiya mate i have large forceps but i tend to use large long nose pliers as you can get a better grip on hooks. I also carry a smaller set of long nose pliers in my pocket so can unhook quickly

[Reefhawg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS7XBbF4Cf8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyxj8hpcy9k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beq3LQLrRXs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sNv7Mm4Ge0

There are some videos above that might be worth watching as they show unhooking. The best thing to do really is arrange to go with someone experienced who can show you what to do, there really isn't any substitute for that. If you join the PAC you might find a member locally who is willing to take you out.

[Dewclaw57]

Hope you never have to use them. If you do cut the treble at the bottom of the bend of the hook that is embedded, leaving enough metal to grip with the forceps/pliers

[ecko]

Just flatten the barbs makes everything much easier.
Unhooking pike, net, jacked, fingers..
Just keep a bend in the rod while playing, when the fish goes near the surface lower the rod tip, to prevent it jumping, when jumping dont keep a really tight Line.

Small pike, almost never are tired when you unhook them, if possible Just grab the hook with the long nose pliers and turn the hook, the fish stays in the water and the hooks and teeth Stay out of reach of your fingers.