Pike ( Esox lucius )

Current Records.

British.  46 lb 13 oz (21.234 kg)

World.   55 lb   1 oz (25 kg) Germany

Season.

Varies. Some waters all year, Rivers June to March, but in some waters October to March only.

Distribution.

Widespread in all waters.

Natural Diet.

Fish, small mammals, worms.

Top Spots.

Trout reservoirs such as Llandegffed, Ardleigh and Ardingley.

Top Tip.

Freeze deadbaits individually and straight. They are then easy to use on a cold morning and will provide you with the maximum casting ability.

Recognition.

The pike is the largest predatory fish found naturally in Britain. It's colouring is a perfect example of natural camouflage, as it harmonizes with weeds where pike spend much of there time in ambush. It varies from deep olive on the back, through to a beautifully marbled combination of grey, green and yellow on the flanks, overlaid with a silvery sheen. The dorsal fin is set well back on the body, directly above the anal fin, and together with a large tail, forms a powerful propulsion unit giving the pike incredible acceleration from a standing start. The head of the pike is unmistakable: long, flattened and equipped with the most fearsomely armed mouth. The upper jaw carries many rows of small, needle-sharp teeth, while the lower jaw has five or six large teeth on each side and rows of smaller ones between. The roof of the mouth and tongue are also equipped with small teeth, enabling them to seize prey of up to 10-25 percent of  it own body weight.

Habitat and Location..

Most rivers, lochs, ponds and pits in Britain contain pike, making the fish one of the most widely distributed. Specimens can easily be taken from farm ponds as they can from huge Scottish lochs, and to many that is the appeal and mystery of pike fishing. The pike is by nature a visual hunting predator, using whatever cover and camouflage it can to approach it's prey undetected. It will lying among tree roots, in rush beds, and in the shallows of the trees. I particularly favors depressions in the bed where it can be inconspicuous, both in rivers and Stillwater's. Favorite pike hot spots are the natural stream beds in reservoirs, as they are deeper than the surrounding water and the fresh water entering the reservoir creates a current that attracts fish. In rivers' most fish seek out swims where the fast water meets more sedate flows, known as creases. The river pike angler need look no further than a substantial crease swim. A steadier stretch immediately below fast rapids can also pay dividends. Roach, dace and the chub colonize such areas, and the pike follow them.

Size.

There has not been the dramatic increase in pike sizes in recent times that has been with tench and bream, and growth rates vary depending on the availability food supply. Some of the deep trout reservoirs have certainly seen unprecedented numbers of 30 lb (13.61 kg) fish taken, but the ultimate size fish, with the present record at 46 lb 13 oz (21.23 kg), is no bigger than might of been expected years ago. The problem with pike is that artificial stocking with big fish rarely succeeds, as it does for carp or catfish, for pike invariably regress in condition when they are stocked. Second, pike do not enjoy pressure. When a large fish is caught, It is rarely allowed to live in peace. Other anglers pursue it, and eventually it will be caught once to often, or be badly hooked, and then it loses weight or dies. A 20 lb (9.07 kg) fish is still a super specimen and a 30 lb (13.61 kg) pike , the fish of a lifetime.

Behavior and Feeding Habits

Pike rely on three senses to find their food : their sight when taking live fish, which they do at lighting speed; their sense of smell, for locating dead fish lying on the bottom; and their sensitivity to vibration, for detecting the fluttering distress signals of a wounded or dying fish. It used to be believed that the pike was never a scavenger, but now we know better. In fact, one of the most reliable methods of taking a pike is the legered or freelined deadbait. A careful analysis of some records show that the fish caught using deadbaits are a much greater average size than those taken by any other method. All fish tend to get lazier as they get bigger, and a large pike uses a lot less energy taking a chunk of mackerel than it will chasing a sprightly roach. Pike are instinctive attackers and can be goaded into action even when are not  hungry. If a noisy fish comes through a pikes field of view, creating a disturbance, the pike will often attack through sheer irritation. This is the basis of a pike fishing with plugs, spoons and spinners.

British Records.
At the time of writing this page these Records were correct.