Pike - In Search Of A Twenty
Liam Describes Winter Campaign Fishing Sussex Rivers, In Search Of A 20LB Pike...
The pike fishing season of 05/06 for me started in October.Although still fairly warm for the time of the year, the pike rods were dusted down and tackle and bait sorted for the forthcoming months. Traditionally the pike "season" starts in October. I say traditionally because usually by this time of the year the temperature begins to drop, and the weather begins to turn. However thanks to global warming, October seems to be getting warmer. Whether its global warming, or natural cycles of temperature changes is debatable, and best left for the big brains to work out. Anyway, back to the fishing...
Big Pike Venues - Choose Wisely
Having caught a ton of jacks and doubles, it was only a matter of time before my brain insisted that a 20lber was in order. Twenty-pounders are not as common as people are led to believe. For sure, the vast majority of fishable rivers around the country have, or are quite capable of producing such a fish, but varies from water to water. Experience tells me that finding the right waters is key. Pressurised waters are usually ones to steer away from. Finding waters that are not heavily fished is not easily done, particularly if you live in the middle of a major city!. However bear in mind that pike thrive on neglect, and neglected waters are an ideal place to start. Having plodded away in October catching two fish and blanking more times than it seemed possible, we entered the month of November, where things really started to heat up.
The 12lber in October set the ball rolling for what turned out to be a memorable month in which I banked my first twenty, and a new PB. I set off from home on a cold, crisp morning. The temperatures in the night had hit -4'c so it was extremely cold and icy. However the river was not affected, and I looked set for a good day. This was one of those picture perfect winter days, with the sun striking mist off the water, and the slow melting of the frost dripping into the water.
By 10AM that day I had picked up a small jack off a Mackeral tail to around 3lb. I was glad from that in the fact that a blank was not to be. At around 11:45am I had another take off the Lamprey rod. The alarm screaming like a baby, I jumped up in anticipation, as line peeled freely from the spool. I wound down and bent into a large object.
"Bugger a snag!!" I hissed
How very wrong, the "snag" woke up and tore off upstream toward a set of reeds. I was connected to a large pike, and it didnt like it. After a few brief minutes of "awwwing" and "arrghing", the fish was bought before the net.
Crocs in the midst
"thats a twenty, it's got to be, 'flippin eck' its got to be!"
My sheer excitment sent the shivers down my spine. I was overwhelmed to say the very least.
Upon the scales the fish sat on 20LB 8oz - Magic.
After photographs were made, the fish was returned to her home,to be caught another day. The phone came out and text messages and phoncecalls followed suit.
I had achieved what I had set out to do in a season, in just over a month. I still had plenty of time left. As the season progressed, I accounted for a 16lber in November, two low doubles in December.
Exceed all expectations!
January had come around and I was still hot on the trails of old esox. The events on the 15th had beaten all of my expectations. I was luckily enough to break my PB twice in a season. A 24lb 4oz fish was caught, from a swim I nearly overlooked. I was pleased as punch with my achievements, one would have been amazing, but two just added the icing onto the already delicious cake.
The rest of the season up until March 14th had done a couple more doubles and jacks. Taking my final tally to 6 doubles, including two twenties, and 11 fish in a total of around 50 odd sessions. Very hard going, but no one said it was going to be easy. Put the hours in and reap the rewards.
Its not all about big fish, I enjoy catching pike whatever size they are. Small ones make big ones, and catching a biggie is a bonus.
I seeked alot of advice from my local PAC members on how best to approach the river lark.
My personal success was gained from the invaluable information given from these guys, and I have built upon the knowledged given to my advantage.
Tight Lines
Liam Whitwell