Pike Angling

Where ?

Pike can be found along the entire waters controlled by the association. The river Figile (Black) produces good catches with many fish into double figures. Noted pools on the Figile are the "Bell Hole" and the "Point", although good fish can be found throughout the river. On the river Barrow the best pike fishing is to be found south of the town. From the "Sally Island" to "Dunraily Bridge" being the most prolific.The canal will produce many pike along its course, with the "Wide Waters" being noteable for some bigger fish. Click on association waters for more detail.

How ?

Dead Bait :

Ledgered dead bait: Dead bait like mackerl, roach, herring, smelt etc. Fish the bait on the bottom using weights to hold down the bait. Use a two hook rig, put the barbed hooks of the trebles into the bait, (with the hooks facing the tail), one at the tail and the other half way up the bait. The use of fish oils as attractors may help increase your chances of catching fish. If the bottom of the river is very sllted or weedy you could use pop ups to float your fish off bootom just over the weeds. When bites are detected, strike early to prevent deep hooking of the fish. 
Wobbled:Use a two treble hook set up. Put the barbed hooks of the trebles (with the hooks facing the head)  into the fish, one in the mouth and the other down the body. Have the bait slighty bent, this will cause the bait to wobble when retreived. Cast out and retreive the bait in an erratic maner by jerking the rod and varing the rate of retreive. The bait will rise and sink and will move from side to side just like an injured fish might behave. Keep a close watch on your bait as its being retreived as a pike might attack it but not hit the bait. If this happens stop the retrieve and wait to see if the pike will pick it up.
Sink n' Draw: Similar to wobbled dead bait. Set up as for wobbled, cast out and let your bait sink. When the bait has hit bottom, lift up your rod, this will have the effect of bringing your bait towards the surface. Then let the bait drop back down towards the bottom, retreiving slack line as the bait drops. Keep repeating this process untill you have retreived your bait back to the bank.

Artificial Lures : 

There are many types and varieties of spinners, plugs, jerk baits, spoons and rubber shads to pick from. Your local tackle shop will be able to inform you in there different uses. Cast your choosen bait into likely areas where pike might be lying in wait, like beside weed beds, overhanging vegetation or other obstacles. Vary the rate of retreive, this might provoke a take from a following fish. In order to catch more pike when spinning you will have to cover more water, because of this it is best that you travel light and bring only the essentials.

Fly Fishing : 

Fly fishing is much like spinning for pike except you use flies instead of spinners and plugs etc. Cover the water and likely lies just like spinning. The difference is that you are using fly fishing gear. Depending on the water and how far down the pike are, you will need to have different lines e.g. floating, intermediate and sinking lines. As with all other types of pike fishing you will have to use a wire trace or similar. Make sure that you use proper pike fly fishing gear as it will be a lot easier to cast the size of flies that are used and if a fish is hooked, it would be easier and quicker to land the fish. This will help the fish recover and not distress it unnessecarily.

What Tackle  ?

Bait Fishing:

Rods : When using dead bait, a rod capable of casting a large dead bait over long distance is required. A 12ft rod with a test curve of 2½ lb would be needed.
Reels : A large spinning reel with a bait runner facility, holding 200-300 mtrs line
Line : 15-20 lbs b/s monofilament.
Hooks : size 6 semi-barbless trebles.
Accessories : Swivels, large landing net, forceps pliers, pike gag, unhooking mat, assorted split shot ,weights, wire traces(rigs), pike floats, beads, float stoppers and scissors.

Artificial Lures:

Rods : Lightweight spinning rod 10ft 20-35grms
Reels : Spinning reels holding 200-300 mtrs line
Line : 15-20 lbs b/s monofilament or 50lb braid
Lures : Assorted types and sizes of spoons, plugs, spinners, jerk baits and rubber shads.
Accessories : Swivels, large folding landing net, forceps pliers, assorted split shot, pike gag, unhooking mat, wire traces and scissors.

Fly fishing:

Rods : 9-10 ft with line rating #9-10
Reels : To hold #9-10 rated line with 100 mtrs backing
Line : #9-10 rated pike fly line in floating, intermediate and sinking 
Leaders : 12-15lb b/s monofilament or ready made pike tapered fly leaders
Accessories : Assorted pike flies, large folding landing net, forceps pliers, unhooking mat and scissors.

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