The biggest pike of the season so far
While not focusing entirely on pike, it was my intention this season (from October 1), that I would do a lot more pursuing of the species compared to recent years. This session saw me on a pool at first-light, casting out herring tail and herring head sections.
I love float-fishing for the species and there’s always something exciting about watching a motionless piece of plastic lying flat on the surface of the water, as you wait for the tremble, the tremor and the ultimate disappearance.
On this occasion, I had the pleasure of experiencing that in the first hour, as a predator picked up the herring tail. After a very feisty fight, I was more than happy to net the fish. Just a short session of three hours, you don’t always get many bites of the cherry with dead-baits.
Although I didn’t weigh it, the pike was the largest of the season so far. I’m hoping for bigger ones though and that’s when the scales will put in an appearance. I do intend to fish the River Severn when it’s in a good condition for predators. I’ve had twenties from there in the past.
The tackle that I fished with, was as follows: Wychwood Extremis 3lb pike rod/Wychwood Extremis 50 reel and Shakespeare 3lb rod/Regal X 4050BRT reel. 16lb Sufix Synergy line. Greys Prowla 30g and Drennan Zeppler 35g floats. Size 4 hooks.
There were seven kingfisher sightings, as birds flew low across the water and perching on overhanging branches. At least two different birds. A common buzzard, calling in flight, flew into woodland beyond the far bank. Two calling ring-necked parakeets in flight.
Are you pike fishing this autumn? How’s it going? Drop a message in the guestbook.