Pike Handling Help

[Governator]

Hey Guys,

 

I'm new to pike fishing and a little intimiated by their jaws. I feel like I need to either gain some confidence and learn how to grip them from their gills or purchase a fishing glove like the Lindy Fish Gloves: http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s..._-1_10001_38705

 

Describing how to hold pike doesn't seem to help much but if I can just see a couple upclose shots I think I would learn quick.

 

Does anyone have any upclose photos I could look at?

 

Cheers

Gov

[ccmtcanada]

Hey there....for smaller pike, I grab it behing the gill plates. Applying pressure behind there when handling causes them to stop thrashing around.....

 

For bigger pike, I slip my hand inside the gill plate and then support the body with my other hand.

 

Lew posted this pic (it's a musky), a good way to safely hold those esox monsters....

[Governator]

Hey there....for smaller pike, I grab it behing the gill plates. Applying pressure behind there when handling causes them to stop thrashing around.....

 

Thank you so much ccmt. Almost all of the pike I've been catching have been under 24" (dozens of them). They have so much energy and thrash sooo much I've been a little afraid to go near their mouth. I think grabbing it behind the gills like that would be totally the best way to handle them. I usually just get some needle nose pliars and have been able to unhook them with just their heads out of the water.

 

Would a glove still help for gripping them to start? They tend to jump so much that it looks like they'd slide right out of my hands. (I mostly worry because we only have a small zodiac boat, a tooth in the side of that thing would send me swimming back to shore lol)

Edited September 17, 2008 by Governator

[troutologist]

I like to use a thinsulate work glove and grab the lure at the side of the boat. You can hold the lure and not worry about teeth or hooks and keep the fish in the water. Make sure to make a lanyard for your pliers....watching them decsend on the graph adds insult to injury.

[BillM]

I liked to grab them behind the gills when they are still in the water. Once they get into the boat, they tend to freak out. I find that this technique immobilises them, which lets me get the hook out without to much of a hassle.

[ccmtcanada]

Thank you so much ccmt. Almost all of the pike I've been catching have been under 24" (dozens of them). They have so much energy and thrash sooo much I've been a little afraid to go near their mouth. I think grabbing it behind the gills like that would be totally the best way to handle them. I usually just get some needle nose pliars and have been able to unhook them with just their heads out of the water.

 

Would a glove still help for gripping them to start? They tend to jump so much that it looks like they'd slide right out of my hands. (I mostly worry because we only have a small zodiac boat, a tooth in the side of that thing would send me swimming back to shore lol)

 

When you apply the pressure behind the gill plate, it causes them to stop thrashing around completely...it's like it paralyzes them in a way. If you can't get your hand around them, then it's hold inside the gill plate...just be careful and don't put your fingers too close to their teeth....or this could happen.....LOL....this one was a painful reminder....I still have a scar and the pike did that to me back in Jan 07.

Edited September 17, 2008 by ccmt

[Governator]

LOL.... My buddy's finger looked like a few weeks ago from a little pike. Hence why are we both a little cautious now and thought I better ask for some advice. My wife is going away this weekend so I'm planning on fishing all 3 days as the weather is shaping up nicely. Can't wait!! Might go golfing instead on friday, we'll see... I cherish these freedom weekends lol.