Rik...never said that did i!! I actually said that the difference between a 3 pound test curve and a 1.5 tc was negligable when on full lock (Kevin Maddocks proved that) and that a lighter rod will not tear hooks out of a carps mouth!! And we were talking CARP...not proper fish!! lol
I fish all year round for Pike, but my waters probably are a good few degrees cooler anyway, and very deep where temps are more stable right through the year. I have recorded 7 degrees C on Lomond in August!..Brrrr
I have done this now in Scotland for around 15 years, and I can't ever recall a problem..and believe me, Highland pike fight a damn sight harder then there Southern brothers.