Angling guide Peadar O’Brien reports that he and Tom Cogan were out pike fishing just before all this rain came. They had a lot of jacks but unfortunately no big ones. The weather was great and also it was the maiden voyage of Peadar’s new boat. Peadar hopes that it will see a lot more pike over the winter months.

If you fancy a trip out pike fishing over the winter with Peadar why not drop him an email to [email protected]

Tom Cogan With A Nice Pike
Tom Cogan With A Nice Pike
Angling Guide Peadar O'Brien and Another Boat to His Fleet
Angling Guide Peadar O’Brien and Another Boat to His Fleet
Tom Cogan With A Future Doubler
Tom Cogan With A Future Double

 

 

Guidelines for handling pike

pike

Download: Pike Handling and Conservation [.pdf 850 KB]

When landed, the fish should be laid flat preferably on a protective mat and the hooks removed with a suitable tool such as long handled artery forceps or a long nosed pliers. Anglers may find it useful to wear protective gloves. Sometimes it can be easier to release the hooks by working very carefully through the gill covers.

The use of pike sacks can be used for the short time retention of fish enabling them to recover prior to weighing or photography. When weighing and photographing fish, the pike should be cradled and supported properly to avoid injuring the fish. A pike sized weigh sling should always be used if the fish is be weighed.

When being released, the pike should be held carefully in the water to promote recovery until it is ready to swim away. At all times, the pike should be returned to the water in the shortest possible time.