Pike Tips.
Unhooking essentials include;
A strong glove (a chain mail glove would be ideal)
An unhooking mat
Long nosed forceps
The best way is to slip four fingers into the gill opening paying attention so that the gill rakers are not touched the press against the for finger.Being quite firm with this grip will ensure the fish does not escape.
For big fish place it on its back on an unhooking mat.
To remove the hooks use the long nosed forceps. For deeply set hooks then enter through the opposite gill opening to the one being held.
Unhooking.
1
Release the pike a soon as possible as they regain their strength quickly and become very difficult to handle as the angler will become covered in pike slime!
2
Pike that live in fast flowing waters are naturally more active and therefore feed more. This gives the angler good sport all year round as the need to feed is greater
Myths.
There have been tales of monster pike taking everything from ducks to small dogs. Because of this the common myth is that the pike has rows and rows of razor sharp teeth all facing backwards. This is not the case while the pike does possess teeth it mouth is not full of them.
3
Because of the pikes excellent senses fishing discoloured waters is not a problem just use a smelly bait such as mackerel or herring and use the heads if possible as these are extremely oil laden
4
In heavily fished and popular pike waters somethimes better results are to be had at night rather than during daylight hours
5
No matter what what you are using dead bait lures etc.. it is beneficial to use barbless trebles as this makes the unhooking process much easier for the angler and subjects the fish to minimum of stress