Fishbook: Pike

‘Fishbook’: Our species-guide series based on “Get Fishing”
the brilliant how to fish book by Allan Sefton

We profile the UK’s most common as well as some lesser-known fish species to help newcomer anglers find out more about fish that can be caught in our lakes, canals, rivers, ponds and sea.

Understanding the kinds of fish you might catch will add interest and could even make your fishing easier! Here you’ll find out more about…

PIKE

Name:
Pike

Scientific name:
Esox lucius

Life span:
Between 12-25 years

Typical size:
4-12lb

British record:
46lb 13oz

Waters:
Slow rivers, canals and some stillwaters throughout much of the UK

Interesting fact:
Pike are opportunistic, visual predators. Their preferred method of attack is ambush

About Pike

Pike are hugely successful predatory fish that are found in rivers, lakes and streams throughout the northern hemisphere.

They are beloved of anglers in North America, Russia, Scandinavia and the British Isles because they grow big, take baits eagerly and fight dramatically when hooked.

Big pike are all females. They can weigh more than 40lb!

Pike are opportunistic, visual predators. Their preferred method of attack is ambush. Pike are also scavengers. They are as happy to eat a dead fish as chase a live one.

Pike are adaptable and, like most successful predators, adjust their behaviour to match their habitat.

Understanding how they ‘think’ is the key to catching them.

Visit the rest of the How To Fish video gallery here to learn new tricks and discover more about the basics of angling.

Find out more about:

• Carp
• Bream
• Perch

Read more about how you can get into coarse fishing. Alternatively, find a venue near you where you can #getfishing!

Some of the above content is taken from the new book, Get Fishing – the ‘how to’ guide to Coarse, Sea and Fly Fishing by Allan Sefton published by Merlin Unwin Books. This colourful, lively book is aimed at complete beginners of all ages, those who have been out fishing a couple of times and want to take it further and families of all abilities. It’s also packed with top-tips and info that make it useful for more experienced anglers too. Find out more about, and purchase a copy of the book here.

Header image thanks to David Overland and text reproduced with permission and © Merlin Unwin Books.