Pike Help!

[stendec]

OK, I have never intentionally went fishing for pike, but I know of a spot that I am going to hit this weekend that is full of large pike, up near North Bay.
I need to know: How do I safely handle pike for my safety and the fish's well being?
long forceps needed?
I am terrified of these toothy creatures until I am able to handle one gently and safely.

any help is greatly appreciated!

-Greg

 

[kaministiquia]

OK, I have never intentionally went fishing for pike, but I know of a spot that I am going to hit this weekend that is full of large pike, up near North Bay.
I need to know: How do I safely handle pike for my safety and the fish's well being?
long forceps needed?
I am terrified of these toothy creatures until I am able to handle one gently and safely.

any help is greatly appreciated!

-Greg

I would not fish from a canoe or bring a pike of over 20lbs into a canoe with you I would recomend fishing from a more stable platform especially if you are terrified of pike.
If you have a large net & long forceps you should be able to land your fish handle it and get it back into the water without issues pike are pretty resilient.

 

[Dugger]

.... pinch your barbs, get a rubber net, have nice needle nose pliers on hand, use a nice quality thin leader

 

[grubman]

What lure/bait are you using? I don't particularly like to use cranks with multiple hooks. I had bass hit my lure and it got double hooked. I was still able to get all the hooks off but it must have been very painful for the fish.

If you have hook proof gloves wear them, they seem to give you one last struggle once you put your hand on them. Take extra care if iit's multi-hooked, you don't want one hook in your hand.

Best of luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[Dugger]

Grubman, your comments and concerns for the fish's welfare are awesome to read... that should be foremost in all our minds. Period.

 

[NADO]

Well im a little late but thought I would replay anyways. For large pike having a net is ideal. If a net is not available hold the fish using two hands, one hand on the tail and the other in the gill. When holding the one end by the gill make sure you dont put your hand right through the middle of the gill, enter the gill on the edge and avoid touching the red flaps as much as possible. If I was picking the pike up out of a net I would pick it up from the gill first and then support its stomach as I pick it up.

Not sure if that is the most politically correct way but thats how I do it.

 

[stendec]

Thanks for your help guys, I always pinch my barbs regardless of what bait I am using and what I am fishing for.
Rubber net is probably something I should pick up.

-Greg

 

[hightechdecks]

side bites for cutting away lures on deep hooks

 

[grubman]

Grubman, your comments and concerns for the fish's welfare are awesome to read... that should be foremost in all our minds. Period.

Thanks. It only takes 1 hook to get a fish and on most cranks now you have 9 (3 trebles), that's overkill and high probability of more injury to the fish. That first treble at the head of the lure usually gets caught up on the line when you cast anyways so I take that one off. Sometimes the fish will hit the middle (body) of the lure and some will hit it from behind so the 2 are ok to keep but I still don't like trebles.

While at a derby one of my team member caught a LM, it hit the tail treble, but two of the hooks went into the top lip and the other hook went into the bottom lip. Poor fish got hooked 3 frickin times, full barb penetration. It was difficult to get the dam thing out, I tried but could not help with my forceps (that's what I always use to remove single hooks, very precise and easy). He got stabbed in the finger by the other treble when the fish thrashed, not too bad luckily just pin prick. But he is skilled with these hooks and got it out with pliars. I don't like trebles never have, problem is most cranks are designed to swim properly and catch fish with all of them on.

Has anyone tried taking all trebles off and replacing them with single siwash on a crank? Did it work and still catch fish? I'm gonna have to try that and report back.

 

[jlisk]

Beware when pulling a large pike into a canoe (or even boat for that matter). If they aren't tired out from the fight they can (and will) cause extreme chaos inside the boat.

 

[Dugger]

Thanks. It only takes 1 hook to get a fish and on most cranks now you have 9 (3 trebles), that's overkill and high probability of more injury to the fish. That first treble at the head of the lure usually gets caught up on the line when you cast anyways so I take that one off. Sometimes the fish will hit the middle (body) of the lure and some will hit it from behind so the 2 are ok to keep but I still don't like trebles.

While at a derby one of my team member caught a LM, it hit the tail treble, but two of the hooks went into the top lip and the other hook went into the bottom lip. Poor fish got hooked 3 frickin times, full barb penetration. It was difficult to get the dam thing out, I tried but could not help with my forceps (that's what I always use to remove single hooks, very precise and easy). He got stabbed in the finger by the other treble when the fish thrashed, not too bad luckily just pin prick. But he is skilled with these hooks and got it out with pliars. I don't like trebles never have, problem is most cranks are designed to swim properly and catch fish with all of them on.

Has anyone tried taking all trebles off and replacing them with single siwash on a crank? Did it work and still catch fish? I'm gonna have to try that and report back.

I wanna hear how that turns out. Interesting

 

[Blair]

I wanna hear how that turns out. Interesting

Grubman, love the idea of not wanting to overkill and best to keep the hookups - as minimal damage as possible.

I have found it is the FIRST HOOK (By the Head) that gets the MOST SETS.


Not the Rear or middle.

Just my observations .... but with both Bass & Pike, this is what i encounter mostly.
Granted, I always have all the trebles on (2-3).


Your right about the first one being the one that catches the line the most (Typically on impact when the cast hits the water)...
However, I personally would NEVER remove that one.


Another observation I have made over the years ...

It seems the "Smaller fish" swallow deeper. Almost all the big ones, I'm getting good sets on the Fridge of the mouth or just inside. The little guys however seem to devour the offering more so.

Doesnt seem to apply to the math here, but just what i have seen.

 

[bullshark]

Jaw spreaders will help a lot too.

 

[The_Bass_Whisperer]

When fishing pike I use a canoe all the time let em tow ya around and when handling them make sure you grab the jaw cartilage between the gills but don't put your fingers in too far cause the gill plates are sharp .As for bait large minnows and or Large jerk baits and crank baits work well,if trolling spinnerbaits are the cats ass.

 

[The_Bass_Whisperer]

Thanks. It only takes 1 hook to get a fish and on most cranks now you have 9 (3 trebles), that's overkill and high probability of more injury to the fish. That first treble at the head of the lure usually gets caught up on the line when you cast anyways so I take that one off. Sometimes the fish will hit the middle (body) of the lure and some will hit it from behind so the 2 are ok to keep but I still don't like trebles.

While at a derby one of my team member caught a LM, it hit the tail treble, but two of the hooks went into the top lip and the other hook went into the bottom lip. Poor fish got hooked 3 frickin times, full barb penetration. It was difficult to get the dam thing out, I tried but could not help with my forceps (that's what I always use to remove single hooks, very precise and easy). He got stabbed in the finger by the other treble when the fish thrashed, not too bad luckily just pin prick. But he is skilled with these hooks and got it out with pliars. I don't like trebles never have, problem is most cranks are designed to swim properly and catch fish with all of them on.

Has anyone tried taking all trebles off and replacing them with single siwash on a crank? Did it work and still catch fish? I'm gonna have to try that and report back.

When it comes to Pike they devower the bait so single shaft hooks will work

 

[dockmuskie]

Thanks. It only takes 1 hook to get a fish and on most cranks now you have 9 (3 trebles), that's overkill and high probability of more injury to the fish. That first treble at the head of the lure usually gets caught up on the line when you cast anyways so I take that one off. Sometimes the fish will hit the middle (body) of the lure and some will hit it from behind so the 2 are ok to keep but I still don't like trebles.

While at a derby one of my team member caught a LM, it hit the tail treble, but two of the hooks went into the top lip and the other hook went into the bottom lip. Poor fish got hooked 3 frickin times, full barb penetration. It was difficult to get the dam thing out, I tried but could not help with my forceps (that's what I always use to remove single hooks, very precise and easy). He got stabbed in the finger by the other treble when the fish thrashed, not too bad luckily just pin prick. But he is skilled with these hooks and got it out with pliars. I don't like trebles never have, problem is most cranks are designed to swim properly and catch fish with all of them on.

Has anyone tried taking all trebles off and replacing them with single siwash on a crank? Did it work and still catch fish? I'm gonna have to try that and report back.

I have had all three treble hooks set in a fishes mouth too many times to count. Luckily I have developed some skill at getting the hooks out but I agree treble hooks can be extreme overkill.

As far as pike tips I can only relate to the few muskie I have caught but bolt cutters are essential because the hooks can and will get caught in the jawbone. The last muskie I caught was missing its upper left section of the jaw and I assume another angle just ripped it off trying to get their lure out.

 

[manitoubass2]

I like that you guys are concerned for the fish, but it's silly to think a fish is in pain because it has two hooks in it as apposed to one, lol.

Single hooks on a stick bait or crank work fine. The shape of the lure and the lip are much more influential on the action of the bait as apposed to the hooks.

And to get comfortable, get a set of landing gloves. Just get them wet before you handle the fish. It won't necessarily unsure safety, but it increases confidence alot and helps you get experienced in where to grab/hold the fish.

Once you grab the fish(don't grab the gill plate or youll be needing alot of stiches) make sure you have a firm grasp and dont pannick if it resists, this is where most accidents occur IMO. Grab it firmly and confidently. Always use pliers to remove the hook, ALWAYS. Keep the fish in the water as much as possible, and keep the fish horizontal as much as possible.

If you catch a good one (35" +), take your time reviving it, dont just throw it back, please. If it takes 10-15 minutes after a lengthy battle, then so be it. (smaller fish usually revive much quiker, but take care with them as well!)

Use appropriate gear, a good rod and dont use light line for pike or any big fish will end up dead more times then not.

Have fun, don't be a chicken, and go catch a trophy pike!!!! There super fun to catch! Take a quick ppic if possible without harming the fish, then give us some fish porn and a report, hahahaha

 

[ChaseChrome]

I like that you guys are concerned for the fish, but it's silly to think a fish is in pain because it has two hooks in it as apposed to one, lol.

Single hooks on a stick bait or crank work fine. The shape of the lure and the lip are much more influential on the action of the bait as apposed to the hooks.

And to get comfortable, get a set of landing gloves. Just get them wet before you handle the fish. It won't necessarily unsure safety, but it increases confidence alot and helps you get experienced in where to grab/hold the fish.

Once you grab the fish(don't grab the gill plate or youll be needing alot of stiches) make sure you have a firm grasp and dont pannick if it resists, this is where most accidents occur IMO. Grab it firmly and confidently. Always use pliers to remove the hook, ALWAYS. Keep the fish in the water as much as possible, and keep the fish horizontal as much as possible.

If you catch a good one (35" +), take your time reviving it, dont just throw it back, please. If it takes 10-15 minutes after a lengthy battle, then so be it.

Use appropriate gear, a good rod and dont use light line for pike or any big fish will end up dead more times then not.

Have fun, don't be a chicken, and go catch a trophy pike!!!! There super fun to catch! Take a quick ppic if possible without harming the fish, then give us some fish porn and a report, hahahaha

Hey, welcome back brother, haven't seen you in a while...

 

[manitoubass2]

Hey, welcome back brother, haven't seen you in a while...

I've been busy, fishing, lol. Hope all is well on your end dood!