first pike

i would like to catch my first pike ever this year out of the river....i was hoping people could help me out
i have spinning rod
decent size pliers
the thing that always worry me is how to unhook them ...i see on tv where they put their hands into their gill area??????is this good 7 if so how do i make sure i dont touch their gills
cheers

[Viking Lord]

Originally Posted by slimeofsnail

i would like to catch my first pike ever this year out of the river....i was hoping people could help me out
i have spinning rod
decent size pliers
the thing that always worry me is how to unhook them ...i see on tv where they put their hands into their gill area??????is this good 7 if so how do i make sure i dont touch their gills
cheers

What pliers have you got? they need to be very long.

You hold the pike by the gill cover which extends under the throat, you shouldnt touch the actual gill. Spinning usually involves few deep hooked pike so you shouldnt have to mank problem's. Often pulling the line tight ensues the pike open's its mouth. Use wire trace.

Sorry if this is abit brief. i just dont know what you already know.

no thanks thats great......i would be spinning to catch em i was just worried about hurting the fish not me ....so thanks for response

[madcaravanner]

Originally Posted by slimeofsnail

i would like to catch my first pike ever this year out of the river....i was hoping people could help me out
i have spinning rod
decent size pliers
the thing that always worry me is how to unhook them ...i see on tv where they put their hands into their gill area??????is this good 7 if so how do i make sure i dont touch their gills
cheers

What you see on TV is the way the gill covers come to a V just under the jaw edge
you slide you hand under here and lift the pike with the bottom jaw (doesn't hurt them) but the weight of the fish means that it can't shut it's mouth so you can un-hook freely

Spinning for pike is one way of making sure you don't deep hook them too

I'd recommend spinning!
As for which lures it depends on the conditions and what size
I like using a 1oz Silver Abu Toby in clear water. if you dont have 1 u can pick 1 up from a tackle shop for 3or4 quid. I also like the Zebco Prey Spinner No.2 or Mepps Aglia Fluo 4.

ok ...thanks a lot for all the helpful advice.....i think i will be off soon to try & catch one
cheers

i like to fish for small fish in what i call "the drain" whitch is a stream slight murky cant see the botom but not to deep really and ive heard storys from passers by that theres a few pike in there from 5 - 18lbs and i didnt ask how they caught them and i like piking and wana give it a go but whats the best method to use id be probly spinning , luring or pluging or i could adjust to any tips???? any information out there

Your best way of unhooking a pike whatever the size is to play the fish fully in the water, don't rush it to the net,as it will jump around on the bank instead !! and to have long and short forceps, a damp towel so that once you have netted yor fish, put it on the unhooking mat, put the fish on its back, belly facing upwards then place the damp towel over putting your knees either side,it will hold it in position while you unhook, then you can slip your fingers under the gill flap up to the V ...take your time, tight grip pull open and back then with the other hand forcep the lure /bait out..
Also if you are lure fishing slow retrieve this time of year you might get quicker hits..

really to be honest have some long forcepts and you should be fine never place thee fish on hard ground. GL and have you got any tips on my dead baiting thread cause im going on thursday and need a bit of help im a newcomer to deadbaiting..

(tom the fisher) i have had a few starter pike anglers ask me the same questions,,,,, if u are not sure how to hold a pike properly it is safer too take a adult with u or a pike gag (mouth openers). i cant give u much advice about spinning for pike because i use deadbaits. i advice u to use a wire trace to have a better sucess, what size pliers have u got.... i use 10inch forceps... gd luck mate.. let me know how u get on