TRY DEADLY DEADBAITS

They’re cheap, readily available and catch big fish. Here’s my guide to

T THIS time of year a lot of anglers’ thoughts will be turning to pike, and while lure fishing is certainly increasing massively in popularity, it’s deadbaits that most of us will be using.

There is no doubting the effectiveness of deadbaits for big pike, as evidenced by my recent Chew Valley 32-pounder, but it’s not just a simple case of turning up and casting out half a mackerel.

Using the right bait for the job in hand and customising it for maximum attraction can make a big difference to your results.

ANY OLD FISH WON’T DO

Over the years my deadbaiting tactics have been honed, and it’s interesting to look back and compare my results then and now.

Why pike on different venues should show a marked preference for one deadbait over another is open to conjecture, but often you will find that one type of bait produces most of the runs, while others are left untouched.

On a new venue, before deciding what to put on the hooks, I try to take into account factors such as the amount of weed present or the distance out that I need to fish, and if possible I will use a different bait on each rod. If I’m fishing with a friend we will each A whole herring can be deadly on the day...

use different baits to try to find a pattern quicker. Once the fish show us what they want, I will concentrate on this bait.

I do think that pike can wise up to deadbaits when they are fished for regularly. To overcome this there are a few things that you can try. Unusual baits such as launce, garfish or bass can catch the pike out. Switching to smaller baits can also make a difference, and I will happily fish for big pike with