Pike Fishing
From Your Kayak
Since the popularity of Kayak fishing is growing in the UK, more people are showing an interest in Pike fishing.
A Kayak is a good way to target pike but like every branch of fishing, it requires some preparation.
The first thing to remember is that Pike are an extremely delicate fish and should be treated as such
They will give all in a fight and need the proper handling to ensure a full recovery before release.
Tackle has to be able to handle Pike so as they can be landed quite quickly and safely, again to ensure a full recovery.
Lure fishing is the main method chosen by Kayak anglers targeting Pike, although fly fishing is growing in popularity.
Rods need to be able to cast the required lure weight and be heavy enough to subdue an angry fish.
6½-7½ lure rods with a heavy action will suffice.
For fly rods, I would opt for a minimum 8#
Reels and lines obviously to suit, for lure fishing I prefer a braided line of no less than 40lbs.
A wire trace should always be used with an 18” minimum length and with a breaking strain of at least 20lbs.
Summer time is a good time to target them but be aware that in the summer, the oxygen levels are down in the water and this will harm or even kill Pike, so if you do intend to fish for them, then please ensure you are experienced enough to prevent causing unessesary harm to a fish, if you are not experienced, then go out with somebody who is.
Autumn and Winter are the most popular times to target pike as they will be stronger and more active.
Avoid fishing for Pike during the early months of the year, this is to enable them to spawn without interruption.
They will generally spawn anytime between March and May.
When you do catch a Pike, ensure that you have the correct tools/equipment to safely unhook them.
A pair of long forceps, long nosed pliers, and wire cutters should cover you for all situations.
If you intend to use a net, then a suitably sized net will be needed.
I prefer to unhook them in the water, this is quite easy in a Kayak with a little practice, just make sure that you have everything you need to hand and are confident in what you are doing.
I use a glove to unhook them for a few reasons.
It allows you to safely 'chin' the pike with firm grip.
There are hooks in the Pike's mouth, a glove will assist in the safe unhooking and will lessen the chance of you getting yourself hooked.
The gill rakers on a Pike will quite easily shred your hands if you are not careful, again a glove will help prevent that from happening.
My choice of glove is one from a builders merchants, it is thin but has suede added that helps protect you.
This type of glove will also not harm a Pike in any way, some gardening type gloves will catch on the Pike's gill rakers causing harm to the fish.
I carry my gear as follows;
My main unhooking tools are kept in my front cup holder.
Other bits are kept to hand at the back of my seat.
My glove is kept on my tackle tray in the cockpit.
When using lures/flies, get into the habit of either using barbless hooks or at the very least crush down the barbs already on the lures.
This will make it a lot easier to unhook a fish, also, if you do get yourself hooked, easier to unhook yourself, minimizing any injury.
This article is only meant to be as a guide to assist you in your quest for Pike.
The best advice that can be given is quite simply to go with somebody who knows what they are doing.