DEADBAITING TACTICS
Of all my piking tactics this one has produced the lion’s share of my big fish. Where once I would have felt handicapped without livebaits, this is no longer the case.
I start with a 3lb test curve Esox Piker bait rod and a big pit-style reel loaded with 60lb Esox braid. If allowed, the final six feet will be leadcore, with a lead on a large run ring moving freely along it.
Pike aren’t stupid and, like all fish, they learn by experience. Using a different material that is likely to touch their flanks while they investigate the bait can make all the difference.
Whether you choose to try this or not, the lead must be freerunning. A 16ins trace is once again made from 28lb green coated wire and Esox trebles, and that’s it for most of my deadbaiting. Rarely do I find the need to create a pop-up or other refinements.
As for baits, my two favourites are smelt and sardine, closely followed by mackerel and herring. Rarely will I stray from these classic pike-catchers.
Good bite indication is paramount, so I combine a homemade drop arm indicator at the rear with an alarm at the front. These are ancient Optonics, but I have yet to find anything more sensitive when loose coils of braid are slowly peeling off.
When I’m lucky enough to get a bite I lift the rod, wait five seconds, engage the bail-arm, wind down fast until I feel pressure then strike immediately – a classic angling moment.
Late autumn and winter is certainly not a time for doom and gloom, as some of the best fishing of the year can be had now.
I’m sure you’ll agree when you’re playing a big pike with its polkadotted flanks going airborne as it tail-walks across the surface.
“Favourite baits are smelt and sardine, followed by mackerel and herring”