Isacc from Northampton asks...
Hi! I'm 11 and have been fishing since I was four and have always caught pike. I bought a new rod and reel it's very good.
I bought some of those rubber perch lures threw it on my line threw it out and the second cast BANG! Pike came straight on just as my friend went to get the landing net. I was wondering if you could give me some tips on how to find pike and what lures and spinners I should use.
Thanks
Isacc
Martin's advice...
Dear Isaac
When seeking pike look for weeds, water lilies and structure - such as fallen trees big rocks and drop offs. There is a huge range of lures available in the tackle shops plugs, spinners, rubber and plastic baits. I suggest you check out the range of lures from Rapala, Luhr Jensen and Storm.
If you send an e-mail to Dick Tallents of Masterline sales@masterline.co.uk asking for a brochure you can then sit at home and read about the various lures.
Kind regards
Martin
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Arron from Littleborough asks...
Dear Martin
Being a new member to PAAS I hope you could give me a little advice on Pike Fishing on the Ribble.
Yours faithfully
Arron
Martin's advice...
Dear Arron
Without doubt the stretch below the M6 motorway bridge is a good area, its done twenty pounders. In fact you can find pike on all the PASS waters.
I will leave it to your good self to decide on the tactics.
I either fly fish or fish sink and draw dead baits.
Regards
Martin
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Jason Lyon asks...
Can I fish for pike in a canal all year round in all weather conditions?
Martin's advice...
Unless your chosen water is frozen over or in flood - you can of course fish lures for pike.
You mention canals in your question - well these are excellent waters to lure fish for pike. They rarely get flooded, though they might get highly coloured.
Please remember if you get a sudden drop in the air temperature you could struggle for the first two or three days.
In the past many anglers said you can't catch pike until after the first frost. In fact many clubs didn't allow pike fishing until October 1st. No doubt some clubs probably still have this antiquated rule. A good time to try is after a cold spell when the weather turns mild. I hope this answers your question.
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Jim asks...
I have never been spinning for pike - I have always gone fly fishing for trout and I would like to know what are the best spinners to use for pike at this time of the year.
Martin's advice...
This is a difficult question for me to give a definite answer.
This is not an excuse on my part. There is no one spinner or even two or three spinners I could suggest.
What I would say is talk to other anglers in your local tackle shop and seek their advice. Also your tackle dealer should have an idea what sells best.
Pike, like trout will take one type of lure in the morning and reject it in the afternoon. Use another pattern and they might hit it.
I would suggest you get a selection of spinners and plugs both diving and floating. Floating plugs can be very good especially when your fishing over weedy areas and pike love weeds.
The Mepp's range of spinners are useful but none can be guaranteed to catch.
As we know fish will bite one day and not the next. Feel free to write if you have any further questions.
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Phil from Preston asks...
What sort of baits can I use for Pike Fishing? What are the best baits?
Martin's reply...
You can use any species of saltwater fish, and most species of freshwater fish can be used, providing they have been caught legally.
You must not move live freshwater fish from one water to another water for use as bait or the release such fish into another water.
I don't really feel there is a best bait. For instance when I get the chance to fish for pike I prefer an eel section but my friend puts his faith in sardines.
As we all know some days the pike will feed avidly, other days they are hard to catch. Then you might need a six inch live roach or a herring or mackerel bait. The pikes feeding pattern various from water to water.
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Thomas asks...
I've just got back to fishing after 2 year break and have enjoyed pike fishing but I'm unsure where I can fish or who holds day tickets for waters like fishmoor.
Could you make a list for people like please so we don't get in trouble?
Martin's reply...
It is not easy to make a list of waters countrywide. Waters change hands all the time.
Your best bet is read the angling press and ask in your local tackle shop. Before visiting any water - telephone ahead and ask for details.
You can of course ask me about a specific water and I will do my best find out the details. You can easily do this yourself with a phone call to the water of your choice.
It is worth looking on the internet for fishery details as many are listed and have their own web sites.
Any further help, please write again.
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Eric, Michigan asks...
I have just gotten interested in Pike fishing and I was wondering if you could give me some advice on lures, rods, line, etc.?
Also, if I fish for pike in the summer - are they deep or shallow/weeds or no weeds?
Thanks a lot.
Martin's reply...
In the summer time look for pike in the weedy areas. Pike and weeds go together. The fish can be found in both deep and shallow water and all depths in between.
A lot will depend on the chosen venue, water temperature light conditions and high or low barometric pressure.
You can of course fly fish for pike which I find very exciting. I haven't fished in Michigan for pike but have done so for trout. I have fished though in Wisconcine where I have had some excellent sport with pike and muskies.
For lure fishing, I suggest a rod about 8 feet with a bait casting or spinning reel, the choice is down to the individual.
I use both when lure fishing. I suggest a line of 15lb breaking strain with a twenty pound wire trace. Talk with your local tackle dealer about the choice of lures.
Pike like all fish will hit one pattern in the morning then ignore the same lure later in the day.
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Colin from Blackpool asks...
I'm having trouble finding good pike waters in and around Lancashire - if you could advise me on some I would be very grateful.
I generally go up to South West Scotland but it's too far for just a day trip.
Martin's reply...
One of the best kept secrets in the past for pike fishing was the River Ribble.
Its always been a good venue but anglers have kept it quiet. I would suggest the river downstream from the M6 motorway bridge.
Three club cards worth having are Prince Albert AS, Southport and District and Preston Centre.
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James from Stoke asks...
I have started pike fishing and have been doing a little on my local canal, but there's something I'm unsure about.
I am float fishing deadbaits on the bottom with the pencil type floats, but I'm a bit confused with what I have read about setting the float overdepth.
Could you please explain how you set the correct depth for deadbaiting, and what is meant by setting it overdepth?
Martin's reply...
Fishing a static dead bait is certainly a good method when fishing canals, rivers or still waters.
To fish over depth, you plumb the area you have chosen to fish then move the float up the line another two or three feet. i.e. if its five feet deep set the float at seven or eight feet after casting out take up the slack line until you feel the weight of the bait.
The line should then be at an angle from rod tip through to bait.
Why not visit your local library and pick up a couple of books on pike fishing which should give you some line drawings showing the set up?
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Andy asks...
I've been dead baiting for pike without any success. Have you got any tips for me that will improve my success? I would be most grateful.
Martin's advice...
Do not turn up at a water and chuck out a bait as far as you can cast.
Often the fish will be under the rod tip. Try fishing various places.
Locate the fish, they are not spread around like currents in a pudding. Try to fish with dead baits that are not being used on your water, air inject the baits making them pop-up and move around in the water.
Fish the dawn session, try fishing sink and draw method.
Talk with the successful local pike anglers and seek their advice.
- Catch Martin James' At the Waters Edge on BBC Radio Lancashire on Thursdays at 7.30pm and Saturdays at 6.00am - or Listen Again online. Each show is available for seven days.
