The Pike or Essocks Lucious is a vicious predator in both Irish and British still and moving waters, records have been taken of pike up to 55lbs with the current Irish and European record standing at a staggering 52lbs pike taken from a lough conn in Ireland.

 

The staple diet of the pike is really any living creature either smaller or of similar size to itself. the pike is a gifted hunter with its design for fast short bursts of attack from snags and reed bed on injured or just passing fish.

 

Pike have been treated as pests in some regions however they have a culling effect on lakes and rivers but can sometimes be difficult to control especially on trout fisheries where game anglers are frustrated by these predatory eaters.

 

 

Pike fishing is growing in popularity which is great for the sport however these fish are must be respected from two view points, a miss handled pike will cause injury, they are designed for eating smaller fish and are equipped with a mouth full of razor shape teeth, a miss handled fish can result in cut hands and fingers which are tough to stop bleeding due to the pikes anticoagulant.

 

Although this is a tough fish in its environment it can been treated with an unnecessary heavy hand, anglers that are not equipped for handling this fish should not undertake a piking session.

Pike fishing is exciting and rewarding and can be approached in a number of different ways but do seek the advice of a regular pike fisher who can coach you in the finer points of the sport.

 

 

Most rivers and lakes will contain a head of pike and perch depending on the available food sources i.e. silver fish and trout etc.

 

Large trout and inland waterways will usually contain heads of pike to double figures which is the dream of most pike anglers today.

 

A small pike of say up to 6-8lbs is considered a "jack pike" and can be taken in most waters, the larger of the species need to be tracked down a little but an be found with the right advice.

 

When on a lake or a river you'll track down these fish to reed beds an over hanging trees or snags, they ambush from cover and are somewhat predictable in the habitat they choose.