Trying new types of fishing

Graham Whatmore · Feb 25, 2010

I have coarse fished for most of my life both match fishing and pleasure fishing in equal quantities. I dabbled at carp fishing in the early 70's before it was as popular as it is today but let it slip, I have even had a few bashes at trout fishing but not over keen on it. But............

........I have always wanted to try my hand at pike fishing and the only thing that has stopped me is lack of knowledge and experience in handling pike. The fact that pike are mostly caught using trebles and, for the novice, the difficulty of removing them if they happen to be deep hooked is the one thing that has stopped me. I would hate to damage a pike in removing the hooks and unless I learn by going with an experienced angler until I have the confidence I will not entertain trying it. Its not as if I have really tried hard to find willing anglers to go with, I havn't in truth and I can't for the life of me think why because this is not a new desire for me, I have always had it at the back of my mind.

Some anglers have a go at all types of fishing and I envy them now it is really too late for me to start broadening my horizons but were I to start again I most certainly would spread my wings more than I have. Why do we restrict ourselves to that which we know and understand rather than broadening our horizons? It really is very short sighted isn't it?

Jeff Woodhouse · Feb 25, 2010

Agree!

Mind you, dabbling in everything tends to lead you to a build up of tackle, mine is now too much, I know, but not half as much one someone we both know, eh?

I'm not too bothered about people who specialise in one branch of the sport or even in one specie, providing they can see the pleasure that other forms of fishing can give and that in the end, it's about catching a fish and enjoying the surroundings.

Just one sort of anglers that concerns me. The one that fishes for one specie and within that is only concerned about catching one larger than the one he caught previously. I'm not against anyone wanting to better themselves by catching a new personal best, but when they disregard anything else, even specimens of the specie they pursue, it becomes obsessive and dangerous (to them mentally, I think.)

Rickrod · Feb 25, 2010

Hi Graham why not track some local pike anglers on the bank. Tell them than you want to give it ago and would they mine showing you, and you never know you might get invited along to a days fishing with them.I,ve met some good friends just by having a chat on the bank and its also in there best interest that you start off on the right foot.

Graham Whatmore · Feb 25, 2010

I am pretty sure The Piker who posts on here would accompany me, he lives not a million miles from me and I'm sure if I asked he would say yes.....hmmmm!.........

Garry Procter · Feb 26, 2010

Graham, I don't think this group covers quite your area, but might be worth a shot? PAC Region 20 - Shakespeare Region Surely there must be some experienced local pike anglers who would be happy to help out. One tip - when you do go piking be sure only to catch doubles, 20s, 30s, and 40s.

The bigger ones are much easier to unhook than the small ones. Personally, I this season I have found it much harder to hook them in the first place, than to unhook them...

flightliner · Feb 26, 2010

Graham- dont let the age thing deter you from pursuing other forms of angling, you will definately enjoy pike fishing as it can be very relaxing sat by a couple of rods waiting for a run to develop from a well placed deadbait. (if you feel up to it go with lures as well as) The sight of a float slowly setting off across the water and dissapearing or the sound of a bobbin rattling against a rod rest as the fish pulls on the line are quite exiting to watch.You are right to try and find an experienced pike angler to accompany you on your first few outings as they can show you the correct ways of holding/removing hooks as well as other important info that will help no end in ensuring the pikes well being and safe return when you eventually capture one,Just one last thing, remember that when you "try your hand"at piking dont let the pike "try yours"-- many years ago now I witnessed a good pike man make that very mistake (ouch!) --- not only painfull- but embarrassing. -- best of luck.

preston96 · Feb 26, 2010

Graham, it's probably a little late for this year, but next season if you still fancy a days piking i will meet you or pick you up,supply all the gear, carry it, and introduce you to the delights of piking on either the Severn or Wye.

Be ready for a culture shock tho. :wh

flightliner · Feb 26, 2010

Graham-- i see you hail from the forest of dean-- thats "cider with rosie" country-- i thought they did a lot of piking out that way?

preston96 · Feb 26, 2010

flightliner said:
Graham-- i see you hail from the forest of dean-- thats "cider with rosie" country-- i thought they did a lot of piking out that way?

Grahams a Brummie, but dont hold it against him,he cant help it if he were born a few miles from the Blackcountry..............and took up match fishing :wh

flightliner · Feb 26, 2010

Paul Williams 11 said:
Grahams a Brummie, but dont hold it against him,he cant help it if he were born a few miles from the Blackcountry..............and took up match fishing :wh

Paul- Devils advocate here-- That graham is/was a match angler should be even more reason for him to try his hand at piking-- many a matchman turned specie/pike man often go on to do better than the many in there new endevours:wh

preston96 · Feb 26, 2010

flightliner said:
Paul- Devils advocate here-- That graham is/was a match angler should be even more reason for him to try his hand at piking-- many a matchman turned specie/pike man often go on to do better than the many in there new endevours:wh

i agree with that mate.......but also vica vera.

flightliner · Feb 27, 2010

paul-- spot on! i'm sure that the both of us can name people in both "camps" that have done a switch and gone on to be very successful at their newfound direction -(at the same time taking their other angling skills with them that in many instances gives them an edge:wh). Like you i extend the same generous offer to Graham,a day out with the pike rods-- the only trouble from my end however is that i'm a lot further away (oop north) but if ever you want Graham the offer stands.
Maybe a day on the fens next winter??????

Alan Tyler · Feb 27, 2010

Graham, try spinnerbaits - the "flying coathanger " jobs; pike are nearly always hooked in the scissors or snout, and can usually be unhooked (assuming you've squashed tha barb right down - a fly vice does this really well, but pliers or forceps will do) by grabbing the frame of the lure with forceps or a Baker "Hookout" and pushing - often without touching the pile or even removing it from the water.
Much less scary for both angler and pike than amateur dentistry with trebles and such, and they work!!!

Dave Burr · Feb 27, 2010

Or try fishing a dead bait on a single hook, (a circle hook may be the answer), these are much easier to abstract than a pair of trebles.

Graham Whatmore · Feb 28, 2010

Thanks Paul I will take you up on that mate but I will meet you at selected venue - then you can pick me up and carry me to the swim hahahahahaha! :wh:j

Thanks for the offer Flightliner if ever I am up that way........

preston96 · Feb 28, 2010

You are welcome Graham...........i'll bring a wheelbarrow!!

Just got washed off the Lower Severn

..............should really have gone for a stillwater but tried to squeeze in a river trip whilst i can

Graham Whatmore · Mar 1, 2010

Thanks for the replies and suggestions guys and I think I will give it a bash with Paul and I shall report back at a later date whenever that is.

I couldn't guarantee hooking a pike in the scissors no matter what method I use and until I feel I have the necessary ability to do it myself with confidence I won't try it, Paul will no doubt batter it into me somehow (he's from Dudlay you know, funny lot these black country chappies

)

Trying new types of fishing

Graham Whatmore

Senior Member

Jeff Woodhouse

Moaning Marlow Meldrew

Rickrod

Well-known member

Graham Whatmore

Senior Member

Garry Procter

Well-known member

flightliner

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preston96

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flightliner

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preston96

Well-known member

flightliner

Well-known member

preston96

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flightliner

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Alan Tyler

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Dave Burr

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Graham Whatmore

Senior Member

preston96

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Graham Whatmore

Senior Member