Norman Martin returned to Slader Reservoir with his pike fishing tackle after an encounter with a toothy critter during a recent North Devon Tackle Club Match. He was rewarded with this hard fighting mid double.
Slade pike
Twenty Five Pound Slade Pike
Lower Slade Pike
Richard Ball braved the weather at Lower Slade to do a bit of pike fishing and caught a stunning 12lb pike caught on frozen roach.
Anglers fishing for pike are reminded that they must use a wire trace and carry suitable long nosed forceps for un-hooking, an un-hooking mat and a 42″ landing net.
Cornish Pike
There are not enough waters in North Devon holding pike so a trip to Porth in Cornwall might be an idea.
Geoff Mason has caught this 19.05 Pike from Porth on a ledgered spratt. Geoff also had a 9.10 fish using his running ledger set up. This follows Geoff catching an 18.05 pike from the same venue only a couple of weeks ago!
Make sure you all the right unhooking tackle when you fish for pike and always use a wire trace.
Winter Pike
Its not North Devon but its is winter and nice to see a good pike. Ben Smeeth of South West Lakes Trust sent me this picture of a fine pike caught at Porth near Newquay. North Devon anglers can always target these toothy winter predators at Lower Slade near Ilfracombe.
Richard Mason visited Porth reservoir near Newquay at the weekend to land this cracking 18.05 Pike on a ledgered smelt near the Dam wall. A size 6 hook and 20lb Fox trace were the successful tactics for Richard.
Pike at Simpson’s Valley
VENUE PIKE RECORD
SIMPSON VALLEY – Carp and Pike
Simpson’s Valley is a fishery nestled in a valley near Holsworthy and has several lakes catering for carp anglers and pike anglers. There are also Fly Fishing Lakes and LRF trout fishing options.
(Above) Gary Ireland landed this stunning big ghost common from Upper Fuzzy at a weight of 29lb 8oz.
A fine double figure pike caught by Andrew Braunton from Upper Fuzzy Lake.
SIMPSON VALLEY PIKE
Graham Verral targeted Simpson’s Valley’s predators using float-fished sprat to tempt a fine pike of 23lb 6oz.
Pike are traditionally a fish of the autumn and winter months and the pleasing site of a red tipped float sitting optimistically upon the surface is one of the great joys of the season especially when the float trembles before sliding delightfully beneath the surface. Those few seconds before setting the hook are always full of tension and expectation. Then with luck comes that solid resistance of a big pike followed by a might swirl, bent rod and singing reel!