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Supporting Sea Anglers

Landing Net

There are many sizes and styles of landing nets, but my preference is the round type with a handle that slides into the frame, it’s very lightweight, strong and reliable. I have two sizes, one with a 24” diameter frame which I use when I go after small pike and a larger one of 32” diameter when I am expecting or targeting larger fish. The most important thing to consider when purchasing a landing net for lure fishing is the mesh size. Small “carp mesh” can be a nightmare when using lures as often a pike can roll in the net and cause a tangle which can take ages to untangle. I use “lureweave mesh” which is quite a bit bigger than the carp mesh and is nigh on impossible to get hooks stuck in it. Another thing is make sure that your net has a long enough handle for the waters you are fishing.

Unhooking Tools

Standard forceps are a waste of time for lure fishing as they do not offer the strength or leverage to remove the larger and stronger hooks that are often on lures these days. I use a “baker hook out” one end has a jaw that is operated by squeezing the handle at the other end. I have found this tool to be one of the most reliable tools for unhooking lure caught pike. I always carry one with me and have two spare at home in case I loose one. I also carry a pair of strong long nose pliers with me in case I lose the baker hook out during a lure session.

Occasionally you will hook a pike which is awkwardly hooked, by far the easiest way to remove it is  to cut the hook with a pair of side cutters or bolt croppers, I use heavy duty “Knippex” cutters, once you cut the hook the other part of the hook can then easily be removed. For the small price of a hook can save a great deal of time and possible damage to a pike.

Because the Gill rakers of pike are very sharp I use a pair of “musky gloves” whilst unhooking them, the gloves are very thin and still give you enough feeling, without damaging the pike, They are NOT tooth proof but do protect you hands from nasty cuts and grazes caused by gill rakers. I always carry a small first aid kit with me, Which comprises of a few plasters and antiseptic cream just in case I get cut by pikes teeth or anything else like barbed wire etc.

Camera Equipment

One of the joys of catching pike is having a photographic record of your catch. I don’t normally take photos of small pike unless they are unusual or particularly well marked. However when you catch your personal best, or fish of a lifetime it’s always nice to take a few pics get home and view them on you computer.

Nine times out of ten I normally fish with a friend or fish places where there are a number of pedestrians, so it’s fairly easy to get someone to take a decent photo of you and your pike, especially these days with the advent of digital cameras that you can view you photos on straight away. Occasionally I catch a big fish while alone, on these occasions the first thing I do is place the pike in a carp sack, and put it in the margins, making sure there is plenty of water over the sack and the sack is firmly secured to a bank stick, tree, etc. The pike will not come to any harm for a short period of time.

My digital camera has an LCD screen that can be opened and rotated around so you can view the scene whilst looking at the camera, I mount the camera on a bank stick using a bank stick/camera adaptor and push into the ground. Some cameras have remote controls, but I prefer to use the old fashioned bulb release which can be operated out of sight under your knee, the remotes can be tricky to operate whilst holding the pike. The bulb release is fitted to the camera using a digital camera bracket available from most good camera shops.

I position myself in front of the camera at the correct distance and place the unhooking mat in front of me, I will not remove the pike from the water until everything is ready, it may seem like a long winded affair, but believe me I can do it in a couple of minutes. I have spent many a night practising at home using my Jack Russell instead of the pike. Once I'm ready I remove the sack from the water and place it on the mat, where its is removed. I then take a couple of shots of each side of the pike and then carefully return it and release it back in the water. I always hold the pike by the root of the tail before releasing until I feel it kick; I then let the pike swim off.

Weighing Equipment

Fairly basic really a lightweight set of scales that weigh to 40lb (I live in hope) and a weigh sling. I keep records of all the pike I catch and I've always considered a double figure pike to be a good one, so if it looks like it might be at least ten pounds I weigh it.

Wire Traces

It still astounds me the amount of lure anglers I see not using a wire trace. It is essential for all pike fishing, and lure fishing for other species, i.e. chub, perch, if there are pike in the waters you are fishing. Most angling clubs now have a minimum breaking strain of 30lbs for pike fishing. I carry several traces with me, kept in a hook wallet with my permits, rod licenses etc. My standard wire trace for general lure fishing is 40lb breaking strain 49 strand wire which is very supple and far more kink proof than the standard 7 strand. My preferred length is 15” – 18” any shorter there is a chance that the pike could roll over the trace and end up with the braid between its teeth. It’s fairly rare for a pike to actually swallow a lure but it has been known. I do use traces up to 100lb breaking strain for Jerk baiting but I will go into more detail in a future article, where I will also detail the methods I use to make traces etc.

Other items.

Polaroid sunglasses are another piece of equipment I use often, by wearing them and learning how to look into the water you will be surprised by what you can see, I have caught several large pike by spotting them first and then casting to them.

Head torch, some of my lure fishing sessions often run into the hours of darkness so a good quality head torch is essential for unhooking etc.

Multi-tool, I always carry a multi tool with me and it has got me out of trouble several times, main use is for emergency repairs to reels, but I have also used the pliers on it for unhooking pike.

Hook sharpener, Essential for keeping lure hooks nice and sharp. 

Lure bag, a bag big enough to carry all your lures and equipment, sarnies and drinks.

I have to confess as well that the last couple of years I have been taking my I-pod with me whilst lure fishing by myself, I find it very relaxing listening to music whilst fishing, especially in busy places where there is loads of traffic noise etc, however if I fish deep in the country I prefer to listen to the wildlife.

The last thing I take and always take is a big bucket of enthusiasm, I have been lure fishing for ten years now and I am still as enthusiastic as ever.

I hope this short article will give you some idea to the essential and useful equipment that you need for lure fishing, please forgive me if I have missed anything.

Steve Moore

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