Top pike angling guide Peadar O’Brien from Carrickmacross reports that his regular group of Belgian anglers were over fishing with him last week. Even though the fishing was a bit slow they still managed to catch over 30 pike with plenty of double figured fish. They even had fish up to one metre. The weather very good and the water temperature was well down. The lads had all the pike on lures.
If you fancy a guided pike fishing day with Peadar O’Brien why not drop him an email to obrienmariapeadar@oceanfree.net
Guidelines for handling 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.
