Wednesday 16 November 2016

Night Pike


I've always thought of pike as mid-afternoon feeders, they don't get up that early and they're pretty efficient once they get started.

In my experience on a winter's day the best time is just after lunch until an hour before dark - we all fish that magic hour into dark - it works for other species but pike are done (they are off doing secret pike stuff).

A week or so ago me and James hit the river well after dark (to be honest you couldn't fish here during the day it would be far too busy). And float-wobbled deadbaits did the trick, three pike landed - no doubles but they're in here...

The water is gin-clear and the river is very well lit, are the pike hunting the silhouettes? We'll need to get back for a couple more rounds to find out.

What are your experience with night pike?

10 comments:

  1. Mint looking fish. Makes me want to head over and have a bash on the big river.

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  2. lol.they knew it was you! i don't fish for pike but had one at midnight on the avon at east mills on spam meant for barbel!the record was 14-6 at the time,and i thought i'd broken it.what's more embarrasing was,i was fishing with the then record holder dave williams and shouted down to him that i had a monster barbel on!

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    1. Recently had one on Spam, perhaps it's becoming part of their diet?! I've had the odd night pike, none at all during my zander obsession last season - where I was using deadbait so you'd expect to see one or two. Need a few more trips out as an experiment I think.

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  3. In my experience too Thames pike switch off before dark. Spent a good few hours after dark without a touch.

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    1. They used to switch off about an hour before dark on The Wye, so that was home-time. Often wondered if they switched back on an hour or 3 hours later - going to have some cold nights to find out...

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  4. Interesting... Fish generally feed at dawn and dusk, but during the winter months ---noon -when the sun (slighly) heats the water- is said to be the best time. Currently (Automn/Fall) - pike (like bears) are (stocking up) feeding as much as possible, before "hibernation". ....
    Also- as I remember you are a dead-baiter- fisherman (catches less than lure fishing, but catches the largest ones).
    Kind regards, always a pleasure to read your posts

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    1. Yeah, in my experience they tend to have their own schedule. Perhaps it is once the water has warmed up enough - been piking so many times when the first run is 12 - 1pm. Think it's the same when I've been lure fishing.

      Going to have to make a note of times of day verses sunrise/sunset now :-)

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  5. that's if you don't get into moon phases too!

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    1. Dan was obsessed with hat. I'm not getting involved!!

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