Mike Skipper
04-03-2006, 06:22 AM
A few comments on this site about how we Brits and Europeans fish for Pike has prompted me to post a brief reply on our many methods.
1) Bait Fishing. Pretty well 85% of all Pike fishing in Europe is done with either fresh or frozen fish baits. Either coarse or sea baits dead-baits are fished either static (legered or freelined) or under a float with coarse fish live-baits either freelined or float fished. Float fishing baits either up in the water or over depth.
The British and Irish during the International fish coarse or sea dead-baits on the wobble or sink and draw style. This entitles mounting the bait head first on two sets of trebles with a slight bend to the fish and then retrieving the bait with a series of twitches and fluttering glides to fool the pike into thinking that this is an wounded or dying fish, and therefore an easy meal. Perhaps the most exciting and productive method of catching pike there is.
2) Lures. Unlike the States, pike anglers in Europe do not fish lures as often as you do, though they are still catching on more and more as anglers get to grips with the many types available. For many decades pike anglers have used spoons and spinners to great effect and Colorado spoons and Mepps type spinners still play a huge part. These days however the use of spinnerbaits and rubber shad have come to the fore, with a small percentage of European pike anglers using and catching withjerk-baits. Miro-Jerkbaits have also found their place in tackle boxes, with the ability to use with standard pike and heavier spin rods.
3) Flies. A method that has only taken off here in the last 10 years, with a growing number of devotees catching some fantastic pike from dedicated Trout Fly Fishing lakes and reservoirs.
4) General Tackle. For a rough idea of the sort of gear that we use have a look at these sites listed below. You'll see lots of U.S. lures as well as Scandinavian as well as gear you don't see on your side of the Atlantic. www.fozxint.com (http://www.fozxint.com)
www.thelureshack.com (http://www.thelureshack.com)
www.thefriendlyfisherman.co.uk (http://www.thefriendlyfisherman.co.uk)
www.harris-sportsmail.com (http://www.harris-sportsmail.com)
www.leslies-luton.co.uk (http://www.leslies-luton.co.uk)
5) Predator Forums & Websites. Have a look at these sites for further info on European Pike Fishing in General and for info on European Pike Tournaments. These also offer links direct to many other sites of interest.
www.totalcoarsefishing.com (http://www.totalcoarsefishing.com)
www.pacgb.com (http://www.pacgb.com)
www.british-pike-squad.co.uk (http://www.british-pike-squad.co.uk)
www.angling-in-ireland.com (http://www.angling-in-ireland.com)
1) Bait Fishing. Pretty well 85% of all Pike fishing in Europe is done with either fresh or frozen fish baits. Either coarse or sea baits dead-baits are fished either static (legered or freelined) or under a float with coarse fish live-baits either freelined or float fished. Float fishing baits either up in the water or over depth.
The British and Irish during the International fish coarse or sea dead-baits on the wobble or sink and draw style. This entitles mounting the bait head first on two sets of trebles with a slight bend to the fish and then retrieving the bait with a series of twitches and fluttering glides to fool the pike into thinking that this is an wounded or dying fish, and therefore an easy meal. Perhaps the most exciting and productive method of catching pike there is.
2) Lures. Unlike the States, pike anglers in Europe do not fish lures as often as you do, though they are still catching on more and more as anglers get to grips with the many types available. For many decades pike anglers have used spoons and spinners to great effect and Colorado spoons and Mepps type spinners still play a huge part. These days however the use of spinnerbaits and rubber shad have come to the fore, with a small percentage of European pike anglers using and catching withjerk-baits. Miro-Jerkbaits have also found their place in tackle boxes, with the ability to use with standard pike and heavier spin rods.
3) Flies. A method that has only taken off here in the last 10 years, with a growing number of devotees catching some fantastic pike from dedicated Trout Fly Fishing lakes and reservoirs.
4) General Tackle. For a rough idea of the sort of gear that we use have a look at these sites listed below. You'll see lots of U.S. lures as well as Scandinavian as well as gear you don't see on your side of the Atlantic. www.fozxint.com (http://www.fozxint.com)
www.thelureshack.com (http://www.thelureshack.com)
www.thefriendlyfisherman.co.uk (http://www.thefriendlyfisherman.co.uk)
www.harris-sportsmail.com (http://www.harris-sportsmail.com)
www.leslies-luton.co.uk (http://www.leslies-luton.co.uk)
5) Predator Forums & Websites. Have a look at these sites for further info on European Pike Fishing in General and for info on European Pike Tournaments. These also offer links direct to many other sites of interest.
www.totalcoarsefishing.com (http://www.totalcoarsefishing.com)
www.pacgb.com (http://www.pacgb.com)
www.british-pike-squad.co.uk (http://www.british-pike-squad.co.uk)
www.angling-in-ireland.com (http://www.angling-in-ireland.com)