1st time

[CWoody]

I'm out for my 1st ever course session tomorrow after blanking in the salty water the last three times (6-8 weeks without blanking b4 that). I think the sea has gone into the winter/spring duldrum phase.

Anyway I've got my bass rod and small multi with trebbles on a wire trace for hopefully a pike or two and my spinning rod teamed with chugbugs, rapalas etc. also to try for pike.

I've also got a cheap rod that someone bought the kids teamed up with a small fixed spool with light line. On the end of that I've some pencil looking thingy for a float and some tiny things that look like hooks under the magnifying glass, what I'm going to catch on this I've no idea but I'm gonna give it my best shot.

Should be a laugh if nothing else.

[thecornish1]

Where are you going?

have you got a day license? Ive never seen any bailiffs down there but the day you don't have it they be waiting. Let us know how you get on.

Also i hope your using barbless hooks and you had better check that you can use deadbaits in the venue as some seabaits are banned in certain venues.

Not moaning, just making sure your aware of everything, as the fines are large.

cheers

[CWoody]

I did get a licence yesterday from the post office, I guess I'll find out about the dead bait when I get there, we've got a few packets of bluey's....We're off to either winnards perch or porth resevoir although there is a match on at porth so the 1st venue is favorite atm. oh, yes, we have got barbless hooks, Truro city angling made the traces up etc.

I've got to dash now....we're off. Will report back later with frozen feet probably!

[tinker]

good luck m8 look 4ward in reading ur report.TIGHT LINES

[marc portch]

hi there,

you shouldn't have any problems with sea deadbaits..if they are banned at all it is usually freshwater fish (this is because anglers will have no excuses for being in possession of freshwater fish, usually where there is a livebait ban) (different reasons in lake district)

as it is your first time pike fishing here are a few tips which you should find useful..

hooks: always use semi-barbless for pike. ie one of the hook points with a barb for holding the bait on, the other two barbless. if your hooks aren't it is easy to squash the barbs with pliers.

when you get a run: don't let the fish take it for too long..the few seconds whilst you get to your rod is usually enough..wind down fast and tight then lean into the fish..no need for a big strike, which can sometimes pull the bait out of the mouth.

unhooking: when you get one on the bank, lay it down on its back on an unhooking mat and kneel astride it. run four fingers up the gill plate towards the front of the mouth until it stops then get a firm grip with your thumb and curl your hand towards you. this will open up the bottom jaw to allow you to unhook it. It will also stop you getting your fingers caught on the 700 teeth! and trust me on this...the buggers don't stop bleeding if you catch a blood vessel.

hope this helps mate and i apologise if you already knew it but these tips are important for yours and the fish's welfare as they are fragile out of water. if possible it is always worth going with an experienced pike angler to show you the ropes.

cheers

marc

[CWoody]

Thanks guys and thanks marc for the tips, I didn't end up with a pike at all, I hope to put your knoledge into good use next time we go, maybe next weekend. My m8 did get his 1st pike though which was guestimated at 2-3lb and was hooked up on a silver and red meps.

Talking to some of the local anglers there it seemed to be the general concencus that it might have been a bit cold for them to come out on the feed properly. I can vouch for that, it had to be the coldest start of any day this winter down here with a biting easerly wind and thick frost everywhere.

After the morning waiting for the pike I decided it was time to give up and went on the hunt for some smaller species, these where abundent in amoungst the reeds with roach being the most prevelent.

All in all, it was an enjoyable day in beautiful surroundings and it certainly won't be my last visit to a course fishery.

[marc portch]

Hi CWoody,

glad you had an enjoyable day, even though you didn't catch your pike.

this time of the year is probably the slowest for pike because of the cold water temperatures. they also spawn around this time so might have other things on their mind! the fog wouldn't have helped either.

you will still catch the jacks on spinners and plugs but your best bet for a bigger fish would be deadbaits at this time of year.

here's a tip for you; if the bottom isn't too snaggy keep twitching your deadbaits back about 3ft every 10-15 minutes. it will keep you active and you would be surprised how often a take comes straight after you have moved it.

the pike get attracted to the bait but aren't really feeding so they just lie close by. when you twitch it the pike thinks it is getting away and the hunter instinct kicks in and it grabs it.

keep at it mate; they really are beautiful fish (especially in the bigger sizes)

cheers,

marc

[shadrapper]

if possible it is always worth going with an experienced pike angler to show you the ropes.



the best tip you can give any budding piker.