DON"T forget jaw spreaders when going after pike

[frozenfire]

I just thought I should let people know how important it is to have a set of jaw spreaders handy when going after pike. Not only for yourself, but the for the well-being of the fish as well.

My first time out for pike last year, i didn't have any spreaders on me and regretted it big time. Not only do you risk getting your hands/fingers sliced up, but the fish is out of the water for a longer amount of time when you're trying to get your lure back.

Here's a pic of my friend improvising with a couple of thick branches as I try to get the hooks out. Felt quite stupid and was embarassing hahaha.

Always carry a set of long pliers and a jaw spreader in your bag

 

[idesign]

I just thought I should let people know how important it is to have a set of jaw spreaders handy when going after pike. Not only for yourself, but the for the well-being of the fish as well.

My first time out for pike last year, i didn't have any spreaders on me and regretted it big time. Not only do you risk getting your hands/fingers sliced up, but the fish is out of the water for a longer amount of time when you're trying to get your lure back.

Here's a pic of my friend improvising with a couple of thick branches as I try to get the hooks out. Felt quite stupid and was embarassing hahaha.


Always carry a set of long pliers and a jaw spreader in your bag

man that is nice pike.where about were you fishing.and what was the time,day,month.thx

 

[esoxseeker]

That's some good improvising. Anything to keep your fingers away from those teeth, intimidating when you first see them. A few dollars investment can save many trips to the ER!!

 

[frozenfire]

Definitely a good investment.

If the pike is small enough, you can grab them behind the gill plate and just pull them out of the water. The pressure tends to imobilize them. Easy to handle. Once they get bigger, I tend to hold by gill plate, making sure that fingers don't interfere with gill rakers.

As for the urban pike, it was early last year, May or June. Day? I can't remember. Time? I can't remember.

 

[MikeyMikey]

Why not bonk it?

 

[ght]

i was thinking of getting a pair but now im going to have to get a pair for sure. nice post

 

[the_skdster]

Why not bonk it?

At fist I thought it was an April Fools Joke.
Then I saw the review date.
... ..... BPS promotes beating the Crap out of your Carp!

On topic, I'll get me one of them jaw widening thingies when I have the gear to enable me to fish pike.

 

[Bvillefish2]

Good post! I haven't been out fishing for pike yet! Thanks for the heads up.
So basically there's no way to hold the fish to make it open it's mouth without jaw spreaders? I read the post about hold the young ones behind the gill.

 

[sharper]

Nice pike, i prefer to travel light most of the time so no spreaders for me.

 

[chibi]

frozenfire, did we ever take a picture of the inside of a pike's mouth? i forget.
anyway they're pretty freaky... thank goodness for jaw spreaders and branch sticks haha

 

[Bvillefish2]

How much do you think jaw spreaders cost at BPS?

 

[MikeyMikey]

How much do you think jaw spreaders cost at BPS?

Please get one.

It's only $1.99

All I can say is... if fish could scream in pain... pike would be screaming so hard when we use these on them.

Pike would be like "Oh you f' )#(*&%#*@) )(#*%$)(@#*#$ #*&%($#% )@#$ !!!

 

[the_skdster]

How much do you think jaw spreaders cost at BPS?

There you go, super dooper cheap jaw spreader.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 0_100-11-5

 

[frozenfire]

Nice pike, i prefer to travel light most of the time so no spreaders for me.

They are relatively small, cheap and barely weigh anything.

 

[Bvillefish2]

Right on guys! Thanks for the price.
Ya they look cheep, plus I want to keep my fingures! lol

 

[sharper]

Never knew they were sooo cheap. Maybe i'll get one just to add to my tackle box.

 

[esoxseeker]

I hook mine around the tether cord of my long nosed pliers, that way I don't lose them. They are cheap to replace, I just hate losing gear.

 

[Bvillefish2]

I also just priced them out when I was at CT, and there $3.99. So basically there cheep anywhere you go i guess.

 

[Bigfisherman]

Never knew these exsisted always took the hook out using needle nose fishing pliers. another thing to pick up for the bigger pike.

 

[slimy]

Hey, good post for sure..Jaw spreaders are worth their weight in gold!! I usually have 3 pairs in the boat. But they are no good without the longnose pliers to get the hooks out... speaking of hooks.. I ususally remove the front treble hook on my bigger minnow baits too. I doesn't seem to affect the action of the lure, but it's one less hook to worry about when you're dealing with a big fish.